Scholarships & Financial Aid Scholarships & Financial Aid

Your ID is your electronic signature for FAFSA on the web. If you are a dependent student (see below to determine if you are), your parents will also need to apply for an ID to sign your FAFSA.

The Department of Education considers a student independent by the following criteria:

• You are at least 24 years old on the day you file your FAFSA
• You are married on the day you file your FAFSA
• You are a parent
• You are an Orphan or Ward of the Court (or were until age 18)
• You are a Veteran or currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces
• You were a foster child after the age of 13
• You are an emancipated child as determined by a court judge

If none of the above criteria apply to you, you’re a dependent student, which means that your parents will also need to apply for an ID to sign your FAFSA.

Apply for a FAFSA ID

Gather your most recent tax information (Federal 1040 and W-2 forms)

• If you are a dependent student you will also need YOUR PARENT(S) tax information (Federal 1040 and W-2 forms)
• If you are a married student on the day you complete your FAFSA, you also need your SPOUSE to provide their most recent tax information (Federal 1040 and W-2 forms)

Please note: If you are unable to locate your W-2(s), you can visit your local IRS building. If you are unable to locate your tax return(s), please visit www.irs.gov and complete a tax transcript request form. If you would prefer, the Eric Fisher Academy Financial Aid Representative can help you to complete the form at Eric Fisher Academy.

Complete the FAFSA by following the link below.

• The Eric Fisher Academy school code you will need to use is 041627
• For assistance from Eric Fisher Academy, call (316) 440-5555, extension 314.

Complete the FAFSA

Eric Fisher Academy offers the ACE Grant to all cosmetology and esthetics students. To receive this grant, students are required to complete information prior to enrolling in school and while attending school to receive the funds.

Requirements Before Attending
To qualify for the ACE Grant the student must complete the following criteria before the class start date:

• Find a high school, salon or spa to sponsor the student while attending
• Complete the ACE Grant application with all the required information. Click here to print the ACE Grant application.
• Obtain two professional letters of reference (cannot be a family member or friend)
• Write a 500-word essay describing their career goals, how they will achieve them and why they are deserving of the ACE Grant

Requirements While Attending
Requirements while in school and before completing 943 hours (cosmetology) or 900 hours (esthetics):

• Maintain an attendance of 95% or above at all times.
• Maintain a GPA of 90% or above at all times.
• Student cannot have any violations resulting in probation or suspension.
• Students who take a leave of absence will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
• Student must shadow a minimum of 8 hours at a salon or spa.
  Student must track their hours on the provided hour
  requirement sheet and have the salon or spa sign it. Click here to print the Shadow Hours Requirement form.
• Students requesting to shadow during school hours must have at least one-week prior approval from the Student Services Coordinator.

Please Note: The ACE Grant is awarded to students upon reaching 943 clock hours in the cosmetology program and 900 clock hours in the esthetics program. All requirements must be met in order to be eligible for the grant

A Federal Pell Grant is for students with financial need and does not have to be repaid. All students are automatically considered for a Pell Grant when the FAFSA is filed (see information above).

• American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS):
  The American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS) partners with industry sponsors to offer scholarships and grants to deserving cosmetology students.

The International Dermal Institute

The IDI Elevate Your Education Scholarship rewards the most passionate, gifted newcomers to the world of professional skin care with top-notch advanced education and career assistance.

• Beauty Changes Lives

  The Beauty Changes Lives Foundation is committed to uniting the beauty industry to support the next generation of beauty and wellness professionals. Since its inception, the foundation has awarded over $2 million and over 300 scholarships to cosmetology, nail, massage and esthetic students.
• Fastweb
  A scholarship database that matches you to relevant scholarship opportunities based on your educational goals, activities and interests.
• Professional Beauty Association (PBA)
  PBA is dedicated to continually offering beauty professionals opportunities to grow their careers through education.

A Direct Subsidized Loan is a low-interest loan with a fixed interest rate in which the federal government pays the interest while the student is in school and during periods of authorized deferment.

A Direct Unsubsidized Loan is a low-interest loan with a fixed interest rate in which the student is responsible for the interest and it accrues while in school, during the grace period and during periods of deferment and forbearance. It is not based on financial need.

A Direct Parent Plus Loan is a Parent Loan for students. It enables parents with good credit histories to borrow money to pay for their child’s expenses.