Can You Use the FAFSA for Cosmetology School?

Most resources about financial aid (and the FAFSA) focus on how it works for college education, but did you know it also applies to vocational education like cosmetology school? Depending on your current financial situation, you may be an excellent candidate to fill out the FAFSA. 

What is the FAFSA?  

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, better known as the FAFSA®, is a form that lets students apply for federal student aid. That includes work-study plans, grants and both subsidized and unsubsidized loans. Although the application is built for federal student aid options, many states or private providers use the same FAFSA information to see if you’re eligible for financial aid at other levels.  

Ask yourself the following questions to see if you meet the general eligibility requirements for the FAFSA: 

• Do you have financial need for need-based aid? 
• Are you a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen? 
• Are you enrolled in an eligible degree or certificate program?  

There are other factors to take into consideration, too — talk with our staff to see what’s possible. 

When is the FAFSA deadline? 

There is a federal deadline to fill out the FAFSA each year. You’ll need to complete the entire form and submit it before midnight on that day.  

Different states may have additional requirements. For example, there are no Nebraska-specific requirements at the state level, but you should contact your school’s financial aid office to make sure there aren’t any unique deadlines or additional forms to sign, 

Does FAFSA cover cosmetology school? 

As an accredited beauty school, Xenon Academy accepts financial aid for students, which includes aid awarded after filling out the FAFSA.  

Make sure to use our federal school code when you apply: it’s 026105.  

That number identifies us as a school participating in student aid programs and means the information you submit through the FAFSA will be calculated for financial aid at Xenon Academy.  

The amount of tuition and related expenses that federal financial aid will cover depends on your income level, your year in school and other specific details depending on the funding source. 

If you get stuck, our business office is here to help you with all FAFSA-related questions from start to finish. Just contact us and we can show you how to begin. 

How much is tuition for cosmetology school? 

The overall cost for a student to attend cosmetology school depends on a few things. Luckily, we’ve made it as easy as possible — you should know what to expect, whether you’re focused on cosmetology, barbering or esthetics.  

That’s why we put together the Xenon Academy Net Price Calculator, which asks several questions and then displays what you can expect to pay, from room and board to books and supplies. Make sure you select the correct campus for the most accurate results.  

Are there cosmetology scholarships?  

Yes! Scholarships are a fantastic way to get through school. Xenon Academy accepts external scholarships. We also offer payment plans, an internal scholarship to qualifying students and the services of our admissions team, who can help find the options best suited for you. 

Paying for school should never feel like a long set of surprises. Using tools like the FAFSA, scholarships and our team of admissions experts can help you prepare for everything on the road ahead. Fill out the FAFSA before the deadline this summer, then contact us to start your journey to beauty school!