The average cost of a cosmetology education is between $6 000 and $10 000 dollars. The good news is beauty is big business and big business is a ready and willing partner in qualifying cosmetology and beauty school students for the future, with scholarships and awards aplenty. Some of the biggest cosmetics companies in the world are providing scholarships to students wishing to pursue careers in cosmetology, beauty and skin care or dermatology. Here is a list of some of the big players.
NCA & Sally Beauty to Offer Scholarships
www.ncacares.org/resources/scholarship.cfm
Sally Beauty has offered $10,000 in scholarships to deserving beauty school students each year for the past 13 years. From 2006 Sally partnered with the National Cosmetology Association (NCA) to administer these substantial awards.
Five $1,000 Sally Scholarships are awarded to high school graduates, under the age of 26, desiring to enter the cosmetology profession. In addition, three $1,000 Sally Scholarships are presented to NCA members for continuing education in the field of cosmetology. Finally, two $1000 scholarships are awarded to deserving children or grandchildren of NCA members for their use in pursuing advanced education at the college level.
Maybelline
www.latina.com
The Latina & “Maybelline Opportunities Through Education Scholarship Contest monies are awarded to the best essay telling of a compelling personal experience. Entrants must be a legal resident of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia, currently enrolled full-time (and in good standing) in the 11th or 12th grade at a public or state-accredited private or parochial school.
L''Oreal and Soft Sheen Carson
wwwv2.softsheen-carson.com/default.aspx?c=2
These companies have gotten together to launch an initiative to build leadership through education by creating a scholarship program which honors young achievers. The L'Oreal Soft Sheen Carson Scholarship program awards young African Americans who have displayed leadership potential, renewable scholarships of $10,500 for four years or until completion of their bachelor's degree.
NCEA Estheticians Scholarship
www.ncea.tv
The National Coalition of Estheticians, Manufacturers/Distributors and Associations (NCEA) awards $1,000 scholarships four times a year to qualified esthetician students.
American Health & Beauty Aids Institute
www.ahbai.org/scholar/scholar_new.html
This institute awards cosmetology scholarships of $250 and $500, with a total of $5,000 awarded annually.
Jeannette Rankin Foundation
www.rankinfoundation.org
This non-profit organization offers scholarships to low-income women, age 35 and older, who are pursuing a technical or vocational education, an associate's degree or a first bachelor's degree. The school must be accredited to be eligible for this program, so research whether the spa or beauty school of your choice is accredited.
AHBAI
http://www.ahbai.org/scholar/cosmetology.html
Beauty school students can earn a cosmetology scholarship from the AHBAI Fred Luster, Sr. Education Foundation. $5 000 in scholarships is available and awarded in $250 amounts. To be eligible for a scholarship, students must have an 85 percent or higher average in school and must have completed a minimum of 300 hours. To date, the foundation has awarded nearly $500,000 in scholarships.
In addition to these great scholarship opportunities the National Cosmetology Association itself also have a number of scholarships.
Ten $1,000 Scholarships Are Awarded in the Following Categories:
www.ncacares.org/resources/scholarship.cfm
- Five scholarships to high school graduates, under the age of 26, desiring to enter the cosmetology profession.
- Three scholarships to current NCA (National Cosmetology Association) members for continuing education in the field of cosmetology.
- Two scholarships to the children or grandchildren of current NCA members for their use in pursuing advanced education at the college level.
Students wishing to follow a career in make-up artistry or cosmetology, or any aspect of beauty technology, would also be well advised to contact local beauty schools in the area that will likely have lists of local scholarship foundations.
As with all scholarships, it pays to be prepared well in advance of the application deadlines for scholarships. Write a great cover letter. If an essay is required make it personal and compelling. Get together all the references you can from teachers, community leaders, employers and anyone else who will attest to your exceptional skills. Keep all of this information in one place along with personal and financial details. That way when an opportunity presents itself, you will be ready to go.
“The ideals which have lighted me on my way and time after time given me new courage to face life cheerfully, have been Truth, Goodness, and Beauty. . . . The ordinary objects of human endeavour -- property, outward success, luxury -- have always seemed to me contemptible.” Albert Einstein