August 31, 2023
How to Pay for Cosmetology School
If you’re thinking about beauty school, chances are the cost is one of the first things on your mind. That’s completely normal. The good news is that you don’t have to figure out how to pay for cosmetology school all at once. Between federal student aid, scholarships, personal savings, budgeting, and other funding options, there may be several ways to put together a plan that works for you.
At Moored Beauty Schools, our team can help you understand your options and what steps to take next.
How much does cosmetology school cost?
Before you can make a plan for paying for beauty school, you need a clear picture of what school may actually cost. Tuition is the biggest piece, but it isn’t the only expense worth thinking about. Depending on the school and program, your costs may also include things like books, a student kit, tools, supplies, registration fees, and technology. Then there are the everyday expenses that come with adding school to your routine, such as gas, meals, childcare, or adjusting your work hours.
The easiest place to start is with real numbers instead of trying to guess. If you are considering the Cosmetology program at Moored Beauty Schools, talk with our team about the current tuition and what is included in the program.
You can also use our Net Price Calculator to get an estimate based on the information you provide. It will not tell you exactly what your final cost will be, but it can give you a helpful starting point while you are figuring out what beauty school could look like for you.
Once you know the approximate cost, the question becomes a little easier. Instead of wondering how you could possibly pay for the whole thing, you can start looking at the different pieces that may fit together.
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What are your options for paying for cosmetology school?
There is no one right way to pay for beauty school. Some students use one main resource, while others combine several. What makes sense for you depends on your eligibility, savings, work situation, family responsibilities, and how much you are comfortable paying or borrowing.
A few options you may want to explore include:
- Federal student aid: eligible students may have access to federal funding to help with education costs.
- Scholarships: beauty-industry organizations and other groups sometimes offer awards for students pursuing cosmetology education.
- Payment plans: breaking a remaining balance into smaller payments may be easier than paying everything at once.
- Personal savings: money you have already set aside can help with tuition or everyday school expenses.
- Income from work: some students continue working while they attend beauty school and use part of that income toward their expenses.
- Help from family: if family members are able and willing to contribute, that may become another part of your plan.
You may end up using two or three of these together. That’s why it can be helpful to look at the whole picture instead of feeling like you need one perfect solution.
Can you get financial aid for cosmetology school?
Eligible students may be able to receive federal student aid to help pay for cosmetology school. One of the first steps is completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®), which is used to determine eligibility for federal student aid. If you are unsure what a grant is, how student loans work, or what information you will need, that’s okay. Moored Beauty Schools has a team that can help explain your options and point you toward the information you need.
The most important thing is to understand what you are accepting before you make a decision. If borrowing is part of your plan, ask how much you would be borrowing, whether interest applies, and what repayment could look like later.
Are there scholarships for cosmetology students?
Yes, there are scholarship opportunities specifically for people pursuing beauty and wellness education, and they can be worth adding to your search. Some are offered by beauty organizations, product companies, community groups, or local programs. Financial Aid is available to those who qualify.
Scholarship requirements can vary quite a bit. One opportunity may ask for an essay, while another might want a video, photos of your work, a recommendation, or information about your goals.
A good place to begin looking is Beauty Changes Lives, which offers and shares scholarship opportunities for students pursuing beauty and wellness education.
You may also find opportunities closer to home. Community foundations, local organizations, high schools, employers, and other groups sometimes have education funding that is easy to miss if you only search for national beauty scholarships.
If you decide to apply, keep a simple list of:
- The scholarship name
- The application deadline
- Who can apply
- What you need to submit
- When winners are announced
Even smaller awards can help with books, supplies, transportation, or another part of your school expenses.
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Can a payment plan help make beauty school more manageable?
A payment plan may be another option if you have a balance that needs to be paid directly to the school. Rather than coming up with the full amount at one time, you may be able to spread payments out over part of your education.
Before choosing a plan, make sure you understand the payment dates and how much will be due each time. Then compare those payments with your normal monthly expenses so you know whether the plan feels realistic for you. If you are considering Moored Beauty Schools, ask our team about the current payment options when you discuss your costs.
How can you save for cosmetology school?
You don’t have to save the entire cost of school before you enroll. Saving can simply give you a little more breathing room for the expenses that come up along the way.
If you have some time before you plan to start, choose a savings goal that feels realistic. Even a smaller amount set aside each week can build into money for gas, lunches, childcare, supplies, or another regular expense.
One easy way to find that money is to track your spending for a few weeks. You may notice subscriptions you are no longer using, takeout that adds up faster than expected, or other purchases you would be comfortable cutting back on temporarily.
This does not mean putting your life on hold. It’s simply about deciding whether some of the money you are already spending could be redirected toward something that matters to you.
What expenses should you plan for besides tuition?
Your school budget should include the things that keep your life moving while you are in class, not just the cost printed on a tuition sheet.
Before school begins, think through questions like:
- How will you get to and from campus?
- How much will you spend on gas or transportation each week?
- Will you bring food from home or buy meals while you are out?
- Will you need childcare or other dependent care?
- Will attending school change the number of hours you can work?
- Are there bills or subscriptions you could reduce for a while?
- Would having a small emergency fund make you feel more comfortable?
These may seem like small details compared with tuition, but they can make a big difference in your day-to-day experience. A realistic plan gives you a better idea of what you will need each month, not just what you will need to enroll.
Can you work while going to cosmetology school?
Many students work while attending beauty school, but the right balance looks different for everyone. Your class schedule, commute, family responsibilities, and the number of hours you work can all affect how manageable your week feels.
If you know you will need to keep working, map out a normal week before school starts. Put your class hours, work shifts, commute, meals, family responsibilities, and time to rest in the same place. Seeing it all together can help you spot where your schedule feels too tight.
It’s also worth being honest with yourself about how much you can take on. Working as many hours as possible may sound like the best financial choice, but if it makes it difficult to attend class consistently or leaves you exhausted, the schedule may need another look.
How can you build a plan for paying for beauty school?
The easiest way to make the cost feel less overwhelming is to break it into smaller questions. You don’t need to solve everything in one afternoon.
- Find out what your program costs. Ask about tuition, fees, books, kits, supplies, and anything else you will need.
- Look at the resources available to you. Find out what assistance, payment options, savings, or other resources may be part of your plan. Financial Aid is available to those who qualify.
- Think about your everyday expenses. Make room in your budget for transportation, meals, childcare, housing, and other bills that will continue while you are in school.
- Decide whether you plan to work. If so, make sure your work schedule and class schedule can realistically fit together.
- Ask questions before committing. If a number or term doesn’t make sense, ask someone to explain it. You should understand what you are agreeing to and what you will be responsible for paying.
- Put the pieces together. Once you know your costs and resources, you can see whether there is a remaining gap and decide how you want to handle it.
It may take a few conversations and a little planning, but you don’t have to have all the answers before you begin exploring beauty school.
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Who can help you figure out how to pay for Moored Beauty Schools?
If the financial side of beauty school is making you hesitate, talk to us before deciding it’s out of reach. Sometimes having real numbers and someone to answer your questions can make the whole process feel much less intimidating. Moored Beauty Schools can help you understand the current cost of your program, available payment options, and resources that may apply to your situation.
Asking questions doesn’t mean you have to enroll. It simply gives you the information you need to decide whether this is the right next step for you.
Visit our Financial Aid page or connect with the Moored Beauty Schools team to talk through your options. We would be happy to help you get a clearer picture of what paying for beauty school could look like for you.
Frequently asked questions
Can you get financial aid for cosmetology school?
Eligible students may be able to receive federal student aid to help pay for an eligible cosmetology program. Moored Beauty Schools can help you understand the application process and your available options.
Are there scholarships for cosmetology school?
Yes. Beauty organizations, community groups, companies, and other organizations may offer scholarships for students pursuing cosmetology education. Requirements and deadlines vary by opportunity. Financial Aid is available to those who qualify.
Can you make payments on cosmetology school?
Payment options depend on the school and your individual balance. If you are considering Moored Beauty Schools, ask the team about current payment-plan options and when payments would be due.
Can you work while attending cosmetology school?
Many students work while they attend cosmetology school. The schedule that works for you depends on your class hours, job, commute, family responsibilities, and how much time you need outside of school.
What costs should you plan for besides cosmetology school tuition?
Depending on your situation, you may need to budget for books, tools, supplies, registration costs, transportation, meals, childcare, technology, and other everyday expenses while you are in school.
How can I find out what Moored Beauty Schools may cost for me?
You can start with Moored Beauty Schools’ Net Price Calculator and then talk with the school about current program costs and your individual situation. Financial Aid is available to those who qualify.
*Financial Aid is available to those who qualify.
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