An esthetician is a trained professional entrusted with cleaning, beautifying, and maintaining the skin and face. Esthetician schools provide their students with in-depth, hands-on practical training and knowledge of esthetic procedures, treatment, and services. Knowing how to pay for esthetician school before being accepted into a program is helpful, as these schools can be costly.
This article discusses multiple ways to pay for esthetician school, including how to pay for esthetician school without loans, as well as how to afford esthetician school overall so that you can plan for your education and make good financial decisions.
How Much Does Esthetician School Cost?
The cost of an esthetician school varies by the state, the school itself, and the type of program. According to EstheticianEDU, the average cost of esthetician schools in Alabama is $8,901, making Alabama one of the least affordable choices for a cosmetology program in the US. The average price of cosmetology schools in Minnesota is $6,963, and $5,977 in Pennsylvania.
These prices may or may not include “kit costs,” which average between $300 and $1,000 and are compulsory for all enrolling cosmetology students. The programs last for a duration of 300 hours to seven months. The cost of beauty school may seem cheaper than a traditional college, but many students still need financial aid options.
Can I Pay for Esthetician School Without Loans?
Yes, you can pay for esthetician school without loans. You can do this by exploring other payment options or financial assistance options. These will help cover the costs of tuition as well as living expenses, textbooks, and other expenses throughout your education or training.
Some of these options are scholarships for low-income students, grants, and flexible payment plans. You can also choose to get a part-time job and cut down your expenses to help you cover your essentials without applying for a loan.
Top 5 Tips to Avoid Esthetician School Loans
- Calculate school costs and plan ahead. Plan ahead and avoid the need for a loan by calculating the total amount required for school, including the tuition cost, room, board, books, and other expenses. Creating a financial plan in your twenties will help you understand your needs.
- Apply to affordable schools. Research the costs of different cosmetology schools and apply to schools that are more affordable. This will make it easier to pay your beauty school tuition without obtaining loans.
- Apply for scholarships and grants. Some private organizations and government institutions offer scholarships and grants to assist beauty school students with financial needs. These can help cover both your cosmetology school tuition and your living costs.
- Consider payment plans. Help cover your costs by applying to esthetician schools that offer flexible payment plans to assist eligible students with financial needs. These payment options are also typically interest-free.
- Get a part-time job. One way to avoid relying on student loans is to get a high-paying part-time job. The money you earn can help cover your cost of living, books, and other miscellaneous expenses. Popular options include library monitor, teaching assistant, and tour guide.
How to Pay for Esthetician School: 9 Ways to Pay for Esthetician School
1. Scholarships
Many organizations offer scholarship opportunities as financial aid options to students who want to pursue higher education after high school. These organizations could be private or public and give students up to full-tuition scholarships based on different factors. Consider organizations that offer esthetics and cosmetology scholarships specifically.
Some scholarships depend on a student’s financial situation, while others are based on academic performance. Make sure that you qualify for those you apply for.
2. Pell Grant
A Pell Grant is a federal government grant given to low-income students who are experiencing financial hardship. This grant is open to students who have not yet obtained a college degree or are enrolled in certain postgraduate degrees.
The grant is offered for no more than 12 semesters and provides up to about $7,000 per year. The specific amount granted is dependent upon the cost of attendance, financial need, learning format, and academic year plans.
3. State Financial Aid
The majority of US states provide financing options for students. They vary from scholarships to grants and are typically limited to students from that state. An example of state financial aid is the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC).
VSAC provides students in Vermont with financial aid opportunities for their education, including scholarships, grants, and loans. These options are open to students who plan to attend college or pursue any training after high school.
4. Student Loans
Student loans are loans given to low-income students from the government or private lenders. The loan is paid back within a specific period of time and builds up interest over time. The loan can cover tuition, room, books, and other expenses.
Some loans cover full tuition, while others cover all student expenses. Student loans are usually repaid monthly, and the rate that would be repaid depends on the amount owed, the interest rate, and the lender.
5. Personal Loan
You can take a personal loan to cover living and miscellaneous expenses. Private loans mostly have higher interest rates than federal or state government loans, but you can get relatively lower interest rates with a good credit score or a co-signer.
According to US News, some of the best personal loans for students are PenFed Credit Union, Alliant Credit Union, SoFi, LightStream, and Discover, among others. These lenders have lower interest rates and offer a maximum loan amount between $35,000 and $100,000.
6. Part-Time Job
If you want to avoid student debt of any kind, consider working part-time while attending school. This can help cover your basic living expenses, for example, but can also help you build on-the-job experience or other working experience while in beauty school.
7. Parent Plus Loans
Parent Plus Loans are Direct PLUS Loans taken out by parents on behalf of their children who are dependent students. These federal loans are used to cover fees not already covered by other financial aid. For parents to be eligible, they have to participate in the Direct Loan program.
The parent has to meet specific requirements, like being the biological or adoptive parent of the student, not having an adhesive credit history, and meeting the general requirements of the federal student aid. The student also has to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form.
8. Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans
The federal government offers direct subsidized and unsubsidized loans to students based on financial need. These are more commonly referred to as Federal Stafford Loans. The subsidized loans provide better payment terms to make it easier for students with financial needs to pay them back.
The school determines the amount you can borrow, and you cannot exceed that amount. The US Department of Education pays the interest on behalf of the students while they are in school, the first six months after school, and during deferment.
The direct unsubsidized student loans don’t require a demonstration of financial need. The school determines how much the student can borrow based on a variety of factors. The students are responsible for paying the interest on the loans.
9. Payment Plans
Many schools offer flexible payment plans to make tuition payments easier. The payment options differ from school to school, but interested students can meet with the school’s financial aid office or admissions office to discuss the available options.
Some schools offer upfront payments, while others allow payments by installment. The payment options are typically interest-free and allow students to have a stress-free repayment throughout their program.
Is Going to Esthetician School Worth It?
Yes, going to an esthetician school is worth it, especially if you enjoy learning about the skin, improving the appearance of the skin, and finding treatments for skin issues. According to Statista, the skincare treatment industry accounted for 27 percent of the total personal care and beauty industry revenue in 2020.
This means that the industry is booming and that a career in the cosmetology field is worth it. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a growth rate of 29 percent through 2030, which is much faster than the average of other occupations. Pursuing a cosmetology career will open pave a path to a rewarding future, where you can achieve your career goals.
How to Pay for Esthetician School FAQ
According to EstheticianEDU.org, the average cost of an esthetician school in California is $7,993, with tuition costs as low as $5,500 and as high as $10,770. The programs are short-term and range from 600 hours to seven months for the entire program.
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According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, estheticians make the most money in the District of Columbia, with an annual mean average of $77,560. DC is followed by Connecticut, Washington, Illinois, and New Mexico.
According to EstheticianEDU.org, the average cost of cosmetology school in Florida is $5,212. The school with the highest tuition costs $9,000, while the lowest costs $2,199.
The length of esthetician school in California is an average of four months. Some schools last for as long as seven months, while others for as short as 600 hours.
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