The WiseGeek Cosmetology No-Essay Scholarship is a $500 scholarship open to undergraduate and high school senior students.
Scholarship Award: $500
About the Scholarship
Earning a license to practice cosmetology takes dedication and many long hours of hard work. In most states, getting a license requires around 1,500 hours of training at an accredited cosmetology school. Many students pursue their cosmetology license while working other jobs or taking care of family members.
Then, after breaking into this highly competitive industry, many new cosmetologists must work thousands of hours more to pay back the cost of educational loans they used to fund their education.
The WiseGeek Cosmetology No-Essay Scholarship is awarded to an aspiring beauty industry professional each year to help them fulfill their dream and start a great career in cosmetology, hair styling, hair design, or a related field with less debt.
Scholarship Details
Eligibility Requirements
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Currently enrolled or planning on enrolling in cosmetology school
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U.S. Citizen or permanent legal resident
How to Apply
You can apply for this scholarship on the Bold.org scholarship platform. Just set up a student profile on Bold.org and submit your application.
Scholarship Frequently Asked Questions
When is the scholarship deadline?
The application deadline is December 1, 2021.
What is the scholarship prize?
The scholarship award is $500.
When will the winner be chosen and notified?
Prior to the announcement date, we may contact finalists with additional questions about their application. Winners will be chosen based on the merit of their application.
How will the scholarship be paid?
We will send the $500 award check to the winner in their name.
How can I contact you with questions?
If you have any questions about the scholarship, you can email scholarships@wisegeek.com
How will my application information be used?
WiseGeek manages this scholarship with the support of the Bold.org scholarship platform. Bold.org takes student confidentiality and privacy incredibly seriously. Please refer to the application page on Bold.org for full details.
About Cosmetology Scholarships
Cosmetology is a huge field that is always in demand. Learning to be an expert in skincare, hair styling, hair design, and other related beauty and wellness jobs requires extensive training and, in most states, you will need a license that shows you have passed a detailed exam.
Getting there takes time – about 1,500 hours for most students pursuing – and money. The cost of a cosmetology education that leads to a license averages between about $6,500 and $20,000, depending on the type of school (cosmetology schools, community colleges and vocational schools all offer training programs) and where the school is located.
Of course that isn’t nearly as much time, or money, as a 4-year college costs. Plus, depending on whether you go full- or part-time, you’ll be able to start earning money in your chosen career in as little as a year.
And the time and effort are worth it. Most students who have earned a cosmetology certificate and license are happy with their chosen beauty and wellness industry career. There are always job opportunities in every part of the country and experienced cosmetologists earn solid incomes, often while working flexible schedules.
In some cosmetology specialties, the large number of job openings and relatively small number of qualified technicians means that salons will be competing for your services, giving you a ton of options for finding just the right spot for you. It is a fulfilling and rewarding career.
That flexibility is part of a cosmetology education, too. Most cosmetology schools offer full- and part-time options so that students can attend while working another job or even while still in high school. Evening and weekend classes are also offered and some schools even offer on-site child care for students.
Attending an accredited cosmetology school has many other benefits as well. Beyond the specific skills, you’ll learn about the business aspects of working in the industry and how to work as part of a team.
As you work with experienced instructors and your classmates you’ll also be building a network of contacts that will be there to help support and advise you throughout your career.
There are many forms of financial aid available for cosmetology students to help pay for tuition, books, supplies, fees, and other expenses. And cosmetology school is relatively inexpensive compared to other education options.
Cosmetology students who successfully apply for some of the many scholarships available graduate with less student debt. If you are one of them, after graduation more of your hard-earned pay can go towards taking care of yourself and your family, instead of towards a loan repayment.
How to Qualify for Cosmetology Scholarships
Just like every type of scholarship program, the organizations that offer cosmetology scholarships are looking for students who are passionate about preparing for a career in the beauty industry.
Every cosmetology scholarship has specific qualifying requirements. As you are researching available scholarships, look for the ones that fit your situation most closely and think about whether you should focus on a specialty.
Some are based on merit or financial need. Other criteria can include your grades, income level, membership in a targeted group, and more. Some cosmetology scholarships are restricted to students interested in studying a specific specialty, like hair design, nails, skincare, or esthetics. Schools may have scholarships available for graduates’ family members.
Most cosmetology scholarships require that applicants are high school seniors who have been accepted into an accredited program or are already enrolled at a school. Some are only available to students at specific beauty schools or require that you live or study in a given state or region.
Check to see if they require a high school diploma or GED certificate. If a letter of recommendation is required, check if it has to come from a teacher or if you can ask someone who knows you well to provide a letter.
Because cosmetology is a highly creative field, some scholarship organizations will ask for samples of your work, whether that’s photos or a short video. Make sure you give yourself plenty of time before the scholarship application deadline to put together your portfolio if that’s required.
Make sure you understand exactly what each scholarship is looking for on your application. If you are confused, contact the organization directly and they’ll be happy to explain anything you aren’t sure about.
How to Apply for Cosmetology Scholarships
Where to Look for Scholarships
Finding the perfect scholarship can be a lot of work. You should always talk with high school advisors if you are still in school and check with the cosmetology school, community college, or vocational school you are interested in attending. Beauty industry professional associations are another good source of info.
Locating and contacting a bunch of different organizations can be tough, though. To save time and frustration, check out online scholarship search services like Bold.org. They make it easy to find scholarships that fit your particular interests and needs. In addition to extensive and constantly updated lists of available scholarships, you’ll find details about award amounts, specific requirements, and application deadlines.
Types of Scholarship Sponsors
Cosmetology scholarships are offered by various organizations, including cosmetics companies, salon chains, professional associations, and individuals. Many scholarships are provided directly through beauty schools, community colleges, and vocational schools. Many states have funds available or can connect you to organizations that support workforce training efforts.
Scholarship Application Strategy
You’ve already taken your first step in your cosmetology strategy by letting us help you get started. The research you do up front will save you time and make sure you have the best chance to get the money you need to complete your education and control the amount of debt you’ll need to repay after school. Once you’ve done the research, you’ll be able to focus on the scholarships you are most likely to win. The profile tools available at online services like Bold.org are a great resource.
Don’t wait til the last minute. Start your research early and once you know where you are going to apply, make sure to get your application done well ahead of the deadline. Some scholarships will accept your application even if you aren’t going to be starting cosmetology school for another 6 months or a year. The earlier you apply, the better your chance of winning.
Other Cosmetology Student Scholarships
Here’s a sample of cosmetology scholarships you should research:
- Cosmetology No-Essay Scholarship — High School Award: Partnering Aveda, with one of the biggest names in cosmetology and the beauty industry, we are proud to offer this exclusive scholarship for aspiring cosmetologists. Each year Bold.com and the Inspire Greatness Aveda Institutes awards this $500 scholarship to one student with the ambition to succeed in cosmetology, hair design, hair styling, or related field. Applicants have to be seniors in high school and living in Arizona, Utah, or Colorado. The application deadline is June 30 and the winner will be announced on July 15.
- Private Label Diversity in Cosmetology Scholarship: Finances are often a barrier for black students looking to make a career in cosmetology. Every 3 months, the Private Label Diversity in Cosmetology Scholarship provides financial support for one Black hairstylist studying or planning to attend cosmetology school. To be considered for the $2,500 award, you must submit a video describing yourself, your interest in a cosmetology career, and how winning the award will help you realize your ambition. Submit a link to your video on Instagram, Youtube, Vimeo, or another platform of your choice. Check the website for each quarterly application deadline.
Commonly Asked Questions About Scholarships for Cosmetology Students
Can I get a scholarship for being a Cosmetology Student?
Yes. There are many scholarships available for students who want to pursue a career in cosmetology, hair styling, hair design, skincare, and related fields and need financial help to reach their dreams. They are supported by large beauty industry companies, cosmetology schools, and many other organizations and individuals
When should I start applying for scholarships?
Start researching scholarships as early as possible, so that you can make a list of awards that you want to try for. Deadlines are different for every scholarship so make a careful note of when you can send in your applications and make sure you hit the deadlines.
What types of scholarships are available for Cosmetology Students?
Scholarships for cosmetology students range from a few hundred to thousands of dollars. Some cosmetology scholarships are targeted to students pursuing different areas of study or to specific groups, including students of color, LGBTQ students, low-income students, and others. Scholarships are available for students already enrolled in a cosmetology program and for high-school students who want to pursue a career in the beauty industry.
What to consider when applying for scholarships?
When you are researching scholarships, the most important things to pay attention to are the criteria they use to select a winning applicant, the amount of the award, and any deadlines and other requirements. That way, you won’t waste your own time, and theirs, by applying for something you just don’t qualify for. Get your applications in on time and make sure that you include every bit of information they ask for.
How do I make my application stand out?
Easy-apply scholarships don’t ask for detailed extra information explaining who you are and why you should win the scholarship. But there are a lot of scholarship organizations that want to know more about you and look at your story when deciding who they’ll give money to. Many cosmetology scholarship applications ask for pictures or even a video showing off your talent. Talk about your passion for cosmetology, how you want to help people use your talents to help themselves succeed, and how the scholarship will help you reach your goals. Make it real and make it personal and you’ll have a better chance of catching the scholarship provider’s eye.
How can I increase my chances of getting scholarships?
The most important thing you can do to improve your scholarship chances is to apply for lots of them. There are national, regional, and state-specific awards available, as well as scholarships targeted to specific groups of people. Figure out which ones you have the best chance of winning and apply for those first, but apply for as many more as you can, too.
