Contact a school to find out the tuition for its programs. According to Beauty Schools Directory, an urban school may be around $10,000, while a rural school may cost around $6,500. Beauty school programs can cost up to $20,000, according to Spa Beauty Schools data. Decide whether this is affordable, and consider options for payment plans. Take into consideration the amount of time you will have to work during school and how much money you make from your day job. Subtract the amount you can make in a semester from the tuition. This is the amount you must come up with to afford beauty school.
Many beauty students consider going into a specialized field. These include becoming a nail technician or a certified esthetician. At Ogden-Weber Applied Technology College, nail technician training leads to acquiring a state license. Tuition for these programs is significantly less than tuition for standard beauty school programs. According to Beauty Schools Directory, tuition ranges from $3,000 to $5,000 for specialized programs. A specialized program may be an affordable option that leads to a state license if tuition is unaffordable for standard programs.
Grants help with the cost of tuition. To apply, fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Some accredited schools allow students to get government grants. If a student is independent, married or has a child, the amount of the grant she can get will increase depending upon her income. Some schools offer grants, too, and they can help the student prepare her information to apply. For example, Aveda Institutes has a financial aid director who assists students with their applications, according to Collegegrant.net.
Students should apply for several scholarships. Many scholarships are listed on Collegegrant.net, including several private scholarships geared specifically toward women. Scholarships are often contingent upon students keeping up certain grades to continue to be eligible. Go over your scholarship application carefully if it requires an essay. It may help to read the essay aloud to another person.
Take out a loan as a last resort, and remember to make payments on time. Many student loans will not cover cosmetology school, According to CollegeScholarships.org. Trade school and continuing education loans are an option if the beauty school is accredited. Beautyschools.edu lists some loan options that include a Federal Stafford Loan (FSL), and Federal Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (FPLUS). Federal loans are contingent upon the information supplied on the FAFSA application and whether the beauty school is accredited. Do not default on a student loan; apply for Income Based Repayment (IBR) if necessary.