--- title: "How to Pay for Beauty School: Aid and Scholarships at Cinta Aveda" url: "https://cintaaveda.edu/blog/scholarships-financial-aid-beauty-school/" date: "2026-09-04T08:19:47-07:00" --- Paying for cosmetology, barbering, or esthetics school is usually the first question prospective students ask — and often the one they get the least straight answer to. This guide explains the main ways to pay for beauty school and where to verify current eligibility. Start with Cinta Aveda Institute’s [financial aid page](https://cintaaveda.edu/financial-aid/) and [scholarships page](https://cintaaveda.edu/scholarships/), then ask a financial aid coordinator for your individual costs and options. Does Cinta Aveda Institute Offer Scholarships? ---------------------------------------------- Yes. Cinta Aveda Institute has compiled a list of third-party, industry-specific scholarships open to prospective and current students in Cosmetology, Barbering, and Esthetics — alongside federal financial aid and an in-house interest-free payment plan. Beyond outside scholarships, ask whether Cinta Aveda Institute currently offers institutional grants. Amounts and eligibility can change — the fastest way to find out what you could qualify for is to [book a tour](https://cintaaveda.edu/book-a-tour) and talk it through with one of our admissions advisors. Scholarships come from beauty-industry organizations rather than the school itself, which means each one has its own deadline, essay or video requirement, and award amount. A few examples students have used: - **Beauty Changes Lives Foundation** — award amounts and program eligibility vary by scholarship - **Beauty Schools Directory Scholarship** — essay-based, quarterly deadlines - **Professional Beauty Association (PBA) scholarships** — several awards for current and prospective students - **Industry-specific awards** from suppliers and salon-software companies (Keller, Rosy, Buy-Rite, and others) Because amounts, deadlines, and eligibility change year to year, always check the current listing on our [Scholarships page](https://cintaaveda.edu/scholarships/) and confirm details directly on the sponsor’s site before applying. What’s the Difference Between a Scholarship, a Grant, and a Loan? ----------------------------------------------------------------- This is the single most important distinction to understand before you compare costs between schools. TypeRepaid?Based onScholarshipNoMerit, essay, or industry-specific criteriaGrant (e.g., Federal Pell Grant)NoFinancial needFederal Stafford Loan (subsidized)YesFinancial need — interest paid by the government while you’re in schoolFederal Stafford Loan (unsubsidized)YesNot need-based — you’re responsible for interest from day oneFederal Direct PLUS LoanYesAvailable to parents of dependent studentsScholarships and grants reduce what you owe outright. Loans reduce what you pay *today* but still have to be paid back — so when you see a “financial aid” statistic anywhere (including further down this page), it’s worth asking whether it’s counting grants, loans, or both. How Do I Apply for Financial Aid at Cinta Aveda Institute? ---------------------------------------------------------- 1. **Complete the FAFSA** at [Federal Student Aid’s FAFSA page](https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa). 2. **Enter Cinta Aveda Institute’s school code: 041800** so we receive your report. 3. **Meet with a Financial Aid Coordinator** during your Career Planning Session — they’ll walk through exactly what you may qualify for: Pell Grants, Stafford Loans, PLUS Loans, or our interest-free payment plan. 4. **Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)** once enrolled, per the SAP policy in our Course Catalog, to keep any awarded aid in place. Eligibility for Title IV federal aid requires being enrolled in the Cosmetology, Esthiology, Barbering, or CIDESCO program, holding a valid Social Security number, being a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen, and not being in default on a prior federal student loan. What Determines How Much Aid You Could Receive? ----------------------------------------------- Award size isn’t fixed — it depends on your individual financial picture, not a flat percentage every applicant gets. - **Income and household size** — used to calculate financial need for need-based grants - **Dependency status** — affects what you’re eligible to access - **Whether the aid must be repaid** (loans) or not (grants, scholarships) - **Program of enrollment** — Cosmetology, Barbering, Esthiology, and CIDESCO all qualify under Title IV Cinta Aveda Institute does not guarantee that any specific applicant will receive aid, or receive it in a particular amount. The only way to know your real numbers is to file the FAFSA and use our [Net Price Calculator](https://cintaaveda.edu/wp-content/themes/gei-cinta/npc/cosmetology/npcalc.htm), then talk it through with a Financial Aid Coordinator. Are Barbering Students Eligible for the Same Aid as Cosmetology Students? ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Yes. Title IV federal financial aid at Cinta Aveda Institute covers students enrolled in **Cosmetology, Esthiology, Barbering, or CIDESCO** — individual eligibility and award amounts depend on your circumstances and the current program requirements. If you’re weighing [Barbering](https://cintaaveda.edu/barbering/) against Cosmetology, compare the full cost and your individual aid offer for each program before deciding. What If I Don’t Qualify for Federal Aid? ---------------------------------------- Federal Title IV aid is generally limited to U.S. citizens and eligible noncitizens. If that doesn’t describe your situation, you still have options: - **Cinta Aveda Institute’s interest-free payment plan**, ask the financial aid team about availability and terms - **Private, industry-specific scholarships** (review the eligibility rules for each award on our [Scholarships page](https://cintaaveda.edu/scholarships/) and the sponsor’s site) - **Veterans Assistance Grants**, for eligible students — see [gibill.va.gov](https://benefits.va.gov/gibill) Frequently Asked Questions -------------------------- **Does Cinta Aveda Institute offer scholarships?**Yes — a curated list of industry scholarships for Cosmetology, Barbering, and Esthetics students, listed on our Scholarships page, plus an interest-free in-house payment plan. **What’s Cinta Aveda Institute’s FAFSA school code?**041800. **Is financial aid the same for barbering and cosmetology students?**Yes. Cinta lists Cosmetology, Esthiology, Barbering, and CIDESCO as potentially eligible programs; confirm your individual eligibility and award with the financial aid team. **Do I have to pay back a scholarship or grant?**No. Scholarships and grants (like the Federal Pell Grant) don’t need to be repaid. Federal student loans do, with interest. **Is financial aid guaranteed?**No. Aid depends on your FAFSA results, financial need, and individual circumstances. Speak with a Financial Aid Coordinator to find out what you may qualify for. **Does Cinta Aveda Institute give its own grants?**Ask a Cinta Aveda financial aid advisor whether institutional grants are currently available and what eligibility rules apply. Ready to talk through your options? ----------------------------------- [Request program information](https://cintaaveda.edu/get-started-now) [Book a campus tour](https://cintaaveda.edu/book-a-tour/)