Student Loans for Barber School in 2025: How To Pay for Training

Working as a barber can be a rewarding career path for anyone interested in cutting and styling hair. Before grabbing your clippers, you'll need to attend barber school to learn the technical skills required for the job. Training can cost at least several thousand dollars, and if you can't afford to pay out of pocket, student loans can help cover the cost.

This guide outlines your student loan options for barber school, along with other forms of financial aid.

Current private student loan rates

Can you get student loans for barber school?

You can usually take out student loans for barber school, but it depends on the program and whether the school qualifies for financial aid.

• Federal student loans: You may be eligible for federal loans if your barber school is accredited and participates in the federal student aid program. More than 100 barber schools across the country meet this requirement. You can check your school's eligibility by using the Department of Education's accreditation search tool or contacting the financial aid office directly.
• Private student loans: Some lenders, including Sallie Mae and Ascent, offer private student loans for career training programs like barber school. Be sure to contact the lender to confirm your program qualifies before applying.

Federal financial aid for barber school

You can access federal student loans for barber school by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is available on StudentAid.gov, and you'll need to submit it for each year you need federal loans.

The FAFSA unlocks access to several types of loans, including:

• Direct Subsidized Loans: These loans are reserved for undergraduate students with financial need. They don't start accruing interest until your grace period ends, which is 6 months after you graduate or leave school.
• Direct Unsubsidized Loans: These loans are available to both undergraduate and graduate students, regardless of financial need. They start accruing interest from the date of disbursement.
• Parent PLUS loans: If you're an undergraduate, your parent can take out a parent PLUS loan on your behalf. These loans have higher interest rates and fees than federal loans for students, but there's virtually no borrowing limit.

Along with loans, the Department of Education offers other types of financial aid.

“If you can get federal student aid for the school, you may qualify for federal grants and student employment,” says Mark Kantrowitz, author of “How To Appeal for More College Financial Aid.”

One example is the Pell Grant, which offers up to $7,395 in the 2025-26 year to students with exceptional financial need. Unlike a barber school student loan, you don't have to pay back a Pell Grant.

The work-study program may be an option, too. This program provides part-time jobs to students with financial need so they can earn money for college.

Private student loans for barber school

If you're not eligible for federal aid or need to borrow more, private student loans may be an option. Most private lenders focus on traditional college degrees, but a few also offer loans for career training programs, including barber school. Ascent and Sallie Mae are lenders that stand out for their low starting interest rates and flexible repayment options.

Before picking a lender, shop around to find the best loan offer. Some factors that can guide your choice include:

• Interest rate and fees: Look for the loan with the lowest interest rate and no origination fees. Consider whether the rate is fixed, meaning it stays the same for the life of the loan, or variable, meaning it can fluctuate with market conditions.
• Cosigner requirements: Some lenders may require a cosigner to share responsibility for the debt, especially if your credit isn't strong enough to qualify on your own. Adding a cosigner can also help you get a better interest rate.
• Repayment plans: Find out how long you have to pay the loan back and when repayment starts. Some lenders require immediate payments, while others let you make interest-only payments while in school or defer payments completely until after you graduate.
• Grace periods: Depending on the lender, you might get to postpone payments for 6 to 9 months after you graduate. This grace period can be helpful while you look for a job and establish your income.
• Forbearance options: Find out if the lender offers any protections if you run into financial hardship, such as the option to pause payments temporarily through forbearance.

Other ways to pay for barber school

Student loans should typically be a last resort after you've exhausted other sources of funding. Some alternative ways to pay for barber school include:

• Scholarships and grants: These awards are a type of gift aid that you don't have to pay back. Some barber schools sponsor awards for students, but you can also find private scholarships from organizations like Beauty Changes Lives and Fade It Forward. 
• Workforce development grants: Government-funded grants help people develop skills for in-demand jobs like barbering. Check with a local workforce development board, American Job Center, or state agency about any opportunities available to you.
• Employer tuition reimbursement: Some salons and barbershops may help fund your training with tuition reimbursement. If you're already working and looking to expand your skill set, find out if your employer can help cover the cost.
• School payment plans: Some barber schools will let you spread the cost of tuition out over time so you don't have to pay the full amount up front. A payment plan may be interest-free, but it could require a fee to enroll.
• Apprenticeships: A barber apprenticeship could provide on-the-job training while covering tuition or paying you a stipend that you can use to cover costs.

If you or your parents started saving early in a 529 plan, these funds can typically also be used toward barber school. 529 plans are tax-advantaged accounts designed for educational expenses.

“529 plans can be used for many forms of vocational, trade, and technical training, such as barber or cosmetology school,” says Patricia Roberts, chief operating officer at Gift of College, Inc. and author or “Route 529: A Parent's Guide to Saving for College and Career Training With 529 Plans.”

Smart borrowing tips for barber school

Student loans can help you access an otherwise affordable education, but it's important to borrow wisely. You can keep borrowing to a minimum if you don't use loans on nonessential expenses, like vacations or restaurant meals.

It's also worth estimating your future earnings as a barber so you don't take on more debt than you can afford to pay back.

“Try to borrow less for your entire education than your expected annual starting salary as a barber,” says Kantrowitz. “Live like a student while you're in school, so you don't have to live like a student after you graduate,” he advises.

Apply for scholarships and grants before turning to loans. If you need a loan, look for lenders that offer flexible repayment terms that work for your budget. Deferring payments while in school could be helpful, but understand that your debt could grow during this time due to interest charges.

Interest can significantly add to your debt, so make sure you know about interest accrual, whether your loans have a grace period, and when payments are due. A student loan calculator can help you crunch the numbers and estimate your monthly payments and long-term costs.

Cost of barber school

Barber school tuition can vary significantly, depending on the program length, location, and reputation. According to Barber-Schools.org, you can expect to pay anywhere between $2,000 to $16,000 for your training. However, some high-end programs in major cities may cost closer to $20,000.

You can also get barber training at trade schools, vocational schools, and community colleges. Costs vary widely, but community colleges tend to be more affordable, averaging around $4,050 per year, according to the College Board.

Salary outlook for barbers

Barbers earned a median salary of $35,420 per year in 2024, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, many factors can affect your earnings, including where you work, years of experience, and any areas of specialization, such as beard grooming or precision haircuts. Barbers who own their shops or serve high-end clients may earn much more.