Your guide to finding and winning financial support for your beauty career
Dreaming of a career in the beauty industry is the fun part… figuring out how to pay for school? Not always. But here’s the good news: there are plenty of scholarships out there specifically for beauty students, and with the right approach, you can nab some of that free money. 💸💄
Let’s walk through how to find opportunities, make your applications shine, and boost your chances of winning.
Know Where Scholarships Live
Scholarships come from many sources, not just one. Start with these:
Industry-Specific Lists
Sites like Beauty Changes Lives offer comprehensive lists of scholarships for beauty and wellness programs, including awards for cosmetology, esthetics, and more. These lists pull scholarships from national programs and brand sponsors, making them a great starting point for a big-picture view of what’s available.
Brand & Corporate Scholarships
Brands like Redken sponsor scholarships for students in participating programs, such as The Salon Professional Academy. These awards, ranging from $1,000 to $10,000, directly support your training costs, including tuition, fees, and books.
Industry Associations
Organizations such as the American Association of Career Schools (AACS) partner with industry sponsors to provide ongoing scholarships and grants. While some scholarships may rotate annually, this page is worth bookmarking and checking back regularly.
Put Brand Scholarships on Your Radar
One standout example is the Redken Scholarship Program, run in partnership with Scholarship America®. Here’s what you should know:
- Awards range from $1,000 to $10,000, depending on the year and number of recipients.
- It’s geared toward students enrolled in or accepted to participating TSPA locations, such as TSPA Rapid City.
- Funds go toward tuition and training costs, directly supporting your education.
- Applicants are evaluated based on academic performance, personal data, and letters of recommendation.
These kinds of industry brand scholarships can be career-launchers, especially when tied to your actual training program.
Get Organized and Track Deadlines
Scholarship deadlines can vary wildly. Some are annual, some are seasonal, and others are rolling. Using a spreadsheet or app to track:
- Scholarship name
- Award amount
- Deadline
- Requirements
- Submission status
…can reduce your stress and help you avoid missing deadlines, even if you forget a date. Pro tip: Start searching and applying early; many awards close months before classes begin.
Polish Your Application Materials
Common requirements include:
- Personal essays
- Short answers about why you chose beauty
- Transcripts or GPA info
- Letters of recommendation
- Portfolios or videos (sometimes required by industry lists)
Here’s how to make them stand out:
- Tell your story. Don’t just say you love beauty, share what inspired you, what you’ve done so far, and where you’re going.
- Proofread. Typos are a scholarship killer. Ask a friend or mentor to check your work.
- Customize. Adapt the same core essay to different scholarship prompts, but tweak it so it feels fresh and relevant.
Explore All Types of Scholarships
Don’t limit yourself to school or brand scholarships alone. There are tons of niche awards out there:
- No-essay scholarships (perfect for busy students)
- Local community and foundation scholarships
- Awards tied to diversity, leadership, or creative portfolios
- Programs from professional associations and partner brands like Beauty Changes Lives
Casting a wider net increases your odds of winning and stacking awards.
Apply Early and Often
This one’s key: don’t put all your hopes into one application. Submitting several strong apps improves your chances and lets you learn as you go. Some students win on their second or third shot; persistence counts.
Let TSPA Rapid City Help You Along the Way
Paying for beauty school shouldn’t be a barrier to your dream. With so many scholarships out there, from industry lists like Beauty Changes Lives to brand programs like the Redken scholarship to opportunities highlighted by AACS, passion plus preparation equals opportunity.
🎓 Ready to take the next step?
Connect with our admissions team to explore scholarship options, financial aid pathways, and how TSPA Rapid City supports future beauty professionals every step of the way.