It’s 2024, and a grant-sponsored esthetician school would be a steal for this multibillion-dollar industry. Yes, the esthetics industry is growing rapidly, with plenty of job opportunities, and if you have a talent for making skin look healthy and glowing, the only thing you might need is funding for your esthetics training. However, this funding can be expensive for some people, but there are grants as well as scholarship opportunities available for you. So, in this article, we will talk about the grants for esthetician school as well as leading scholarship opportunities you can grab in 2024.
There are more scholarships than ever before. These are available from state, national, and international organizations levels for aspiring skincare specialists, medical estheticians, and esthetics instructors. So, I decided to assist in making your search easier—went through a lot of active scholarships and selected those specifically for estheticians. Here, you will find a comprehensive list of esthetician grants as well as scholarships.
Grants for Esthetician School in 2024
There are many grants out there but what I’m about to give you are the best of them all that you can easily obtain. Remember, I said we’d look at both grants and scholarships but let’s start first with grants for esthetician school.
1. Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for Esthetician
Usually, all you need to do for federal student aid, such as federal grants, work-studies, and loans, is to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You’ll need your ID which works as your electronic signature for the FAFSA online. If you’re a dependent student, your parents will also need their own ID to sign your FAFSA.
The Department of Education has specific rules to decide if a student is independent:
- You’re 24 years old or older on the day you submit your FAFSA
- You’re married when you submit your FAFSA
- You have children
- You’re an orphan or were a ward of the court until you turned 18
- You’re a veteran or currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces
- You were in foster care after turning 13
- A court has declared you an emancipated minor
If you don’t meet any of these conditions, you are considered a dependent student. This means your parents need to get an ID too, to sign your FAFSA.
- Get your latest tax documents (Federal 1040 and W-2 forms).
- If you’re a dependent student, you need to have YOUR PARENT(S)’ tax information too (Federal 1040 and W-2 forms).
- If you are married when you fill out your FAFSA, your SPOUSE will also need to provide their most recent tax information (Federal 1040 and W-2 forms).
If you can’t find your W-2 forms, go to your local IRS office. If you’re missing your tax returns, visit www.irs.gov and fill out a tax transcript request form. Or, if you prefer, you can contact your esthetic school’s financial aid representative for this form.
When filling out the FAFSA, you have to use your esthetician school’s code. You can also contact the financial aid representative for this code.
2. The ACE Grant
So, we’re done talking about FAFSA grants for esthetician school. The second on the list is the ACE Grant. You have to check if your esthetician school can offer ACE grant for esthetics students. For this grant, you’ll typically have to fill out some information both before you enroll and while you are in school. So, if you are already enrolled or not yet enrolled, you could still get this grant.
ACE Grant does have its own eligibility requirements. You must complete these steps before your class starts:
- Find a high school, salon, or spa that will sponsor you while you’re studying.
- Fill out the ACE Grant application completely on your esthetician school’s website.
- Get two professional reference letters (they can’t be from family members or friends).
- Your school may require you to write a 500-word essay about your career goals, how you plan to achieve them, and why you deserve the ACE Grant.
Make sure to submit these items along with all the other admission requirements before your start date.
Students esthetics are typically required to do the following:
- Keep your attendance at 95% or higher at all times.
- Maintain a GPA of 90% or above consistently.
- Avoid any violations that could lead to probation or suspension.
- If you take a leave of absence, we’ll look at your situation individually.
- You need to shadow at a salon or spa for at least 8 hours (depending on your school).
- If you want to shadow during school hours, you must get approval at least one week in advance from the career and academic advisor.
Depending on your school, the ACE Grant is given to students after completing 750 hours in the esthetics program. You have to meet all these requirements to be eligible for the grant.
3. Federal Pell Grant for Esthetician
At number 3, we have the Federal Pell grant. This grant is funding from the government for undergraduate students who need financial help for college.
I should have said this earlier but it isn’t too late. In case you didn’t know, grants are different from loans. Unlike loans, you don’t have to pay back grants. If you do qualify for any grants for esthetician school, you will receive a certain amount of money every year from the Federal Pell Grant Program.
So, above are the top 3 grants you can apply for right now for your esthetician school and get approved. Some people use scholarships and grants interchangeably, though there is a difference, especially when it has to do with academic performance. So, grants are typically given based on need while scholarships are typically merit-based. But even so, we also have need-based scholarships.
So, for the next section, we’ll be looking at the scholarships you can actually get for your esthetician school.
Esthetician School Scholarships 2024
Most esthetician schools accept all kinds of scholarships. And like grants, scholarships are gifts you don’t pay them back. So, when you receive a scholarship, you have to notify your school’s Financial Aid Office so they can process it.
1. The International Dermal Institute
The IDI Elevate Your Education Scholarship is for those new to professional skincare. Here, you’ll get advanced education and career help if you are the most passionate and talented beginner.
2. Sydell L. Miller | Total Image Esthetics Student Scholarship
Students accepted to or attending an accredited beauty school can win an Esthetician school scholarship for tuition costs up to $7,500, with proof of acceptance or attendance.
3. Dermalogica “New Beginnings” Esthetics Scholarship
This scholarship is for students just starting or currently in an esthetics program at a Dermalogica partner school, especially aimed at Black, Indigenous, and people of color.
4. Beauty Schools Directory Scholarship
At number 4, we Beauty Schools Directory scholarship for estheticians. This scholarship is available for students who are currently enrolled in an esthetics program in the US or Canada. It’s aimed at students who will earn a license in esthetics.
Top national and international esthetician scholarships
5. National Coalition of Estheticians, Manufacturers, Distributors, & Associations (NCEA)’s Esthetician Scholarship
NCEA offers an Esthetician Scholarship with benefits of $1,000. To be eligible, applicants must be midway through an esthetician training program and enrolled in a fully accredited esthetician training school. Also, maintaining an 80% attendance and 80% grade average is required. Applicants for this scholarship are expected to submit a one-page typed explanation of their financial need and their aspiration to become an esthetician.
6. International Academy of Esthetics Scholarships
The International Academy of Esthetics provides scholarships with benefits ranging from $100 to $500. Eligibility for these scholarships requires enrollment in the International Academy of Esthetics diploma program and a demonstration of financial need. Each year, the academy awards one $500 scholarship and five $100 scholarships.
7. Beauty Changes Lives Murad Scholarship
I personally wrote about the Beauty Changes Lives scholarship, so make sure to check that out. Beauty Changes Lives Murad Scholarship offers substantial benefits, including $2,250, a Murad kit, and mentorship from Murad. To qualify, candidates must be new or current esthetics students enrolled at a qualifying school. This esthetician school scholarship presents a unique opportunity for students in the field of esthetics, offering both financial assistance and valuable industry connections.
National scholarships open to estheticians
8. Aurie J. Gosnell Scholarship
To be eligible for the Aurie J. Gosnell Scholarship benefits of $1250, you need to be currently studying in an accredited program in esthetics or related fields, including esthetician, skin care specialist, etc. You also must be a member of the National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology (NIC) and attend the NIC annual conference. These scholarships are awarded at the annual conference.
9. Hans Neumaier Memorial Scholarship
For the Hans Neumaier Memorial Scholarship, which provides a benefit of $1,000, you must be currently enrolled full-time in an accredited esthetician school and studying any field of esthetician, including skin care. You also need to be a student member of the Professional Beauty Association. The scholarship funds must be used within one year of being awarded.
10. Minerva Beauty Scholarship
The Minerva Beauty Scholarship offers $1,000 plus a 1-year student membership to the Professional Beauty Association. To qualify, you should be enrolled in an accredited esthetician program in the US, have completed one semester, and maintain a 3.0 GPA. Applicants must submit a letter of recommendation and a one-page typed essay. Preference is given to student members of the Professional Beauty Association, and the scholarship funds must be used within a year of receipt.
11. Professional Beauty Association Sally Beauty Scholarship
The Professional Beauty Association Sally Beauty Scholarship offers benefits ranging from $500 to $1,000. Eligible candidates include high school graduates aiming to enter the field of esthetician, including skin care, and current beauty professionals who need funding for continuing education.
12. Professional Beauty Association Lifetime Member Scholarship
The benefits offered by the Professional Beauty Association Lifetime Member vary each year. The eligibility requirements include being a current individual and student member of the PBA. The scholarship is meant to be used for continuing education or to pay for esthetician school. This scholarship serves as a way for the PBA to honor its lifetime members.
13. Bellus Academy Military Scholarship
There’s also the Bellus Academy Military Scholarship, offering $1,000 in benefits. The eligibility requirements include being a high school graduate and enrolling in an academy program within one year after high school graduation. This scholarship is specifically for active duty military personnel, their spouses, or dependents up to age 26. Like the Bellus Academy Scholarship, it’s open to students in any esthetics or beauty program and related fields.
More educational opportunities for estheticians
14. American Academy of Facial Esthetics
With the American Academy of Facial Esthetics, you can get Member Exclusive Online Educational Programs. The benefit for members is access to a variety of online educational programs.
To be eligible, you need to be a practicing esthetician and a member of the Academy. The courses offered include diverse topics such as “Stop Making Bruxism Appliances,” “Medicare and Medical Insurance Billing,” and “Treating Black Triangles.”
15. International Spa Association
The Mary Tabacchi Scholarship is presented by the International Spa Association, with a benefit of $1,500. Eligible candidates should be aiming for a spa-related degree, like an esthetician license, and have an interest in spa management. Besides the financial award, recipients also get complimentary registration, airfare, and accommodations for the annual Conference & Expo or the ISPA International Spa & Wellness Conference.
This one is a bit different from what we have discussed here, which is esthetician school. However, you should check out my article where I have explained how you can get into a cosmetology program for free.
Conclusion—2024 Grants for Esthetician School
I like to talk about grants and scholarships a lot. Or, just say anything that has to do with helping students with financial aid. So, for today, we have been able to look at the top grants and scholarship opportunities for esthetician school programs. If you are fresh to the system, my advice is for you to get in touch with your school’s financial aid office so they can actively help you through the grant application process.
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