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. Here’s how scholarships, federal financial aid, and Cinta Aveda Institute’s own funding options actually work, so you can figure out what applies to you before you ever set foot on campus.
Does Cinta Aveda Institute Offer Scholarships?
Yes. Cinta Aveda Institute maintains a running 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.
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 — cosmetology and barbering awards up to $10,000, plus separate esthetics and nail awards
- 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 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.
| Type | Repaid? | Based on |
|---|---|---|
| Scholarship | No | Merit, essay, or industry-specific criteria |
| Grant (e.g., Federal Pell Grant) | No | Financial need |
| Federal Stafford Loan (subsidized) | Yes | Financial need — interest paid by the government while you’re in school |
| Federal Stafford Loan (unsubsidized) | Yes | Not need-based — you’re responsible for interest from day one |
| Federal Direct PLUS Loan | Yes | Available to parents of dependent students |
Scholarships 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?
- Complete the FAFSA at fafsa.gov.
- Enter Cinta Aveda Institute’s school code: 041800 so we receive your report.
- 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.
- 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, 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 — the eligibility rules are the same across all four programs. If you’re weighing Barbering against Cosmetology, cost shouldn’t be the deciding factor between them; the funding options are identical.
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, available regardless of federal aid eligibility
- Private, industry-specific scholarships (many listed on our Scholarships page don’t require U.S. citizenship — check each sponsor’s rules directly)
- Veterans Assistance Grants, for eligible students — see gibill.va.gov
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes — a curated list of industry scholarships for Cosmetology, Barbering, and Esthetics students, updated on our Scholarships page, plus an interest-free in-house payment plan.
041800.
Yes. Title IV eligibility rules are identical across Cosmetology, Esthiology, Barbering, and CIDESCO.
No. Scholarships and grants (like the Federal Pell Grant) don’t need to be repaid. Federal student loans do, with interest.
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.
Ready to talk through your options?
