Your Future, Made Affordable

At ELITE Cosmetology School, we believe that cost should never stand in the way of your dreams. That’s why we offer a wide range of financial aid options and personalized support to help you focus on what matters most: building a career you love.

Whether you’re exploring your options or ready to enroll, our Financial Aid Office is here to guide you through every step of the process.

How to Apply for Financial Aid

Step 1: Complete Your FAFSA

The first step in securing financial aid is completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at fafsa.ed.gov.

  • School Code: 041754

  • Gather the following documents:

    • Federal Tax Returns and W-2s (student/parent, if dependent).

    • Proof of untaxed income or benefits.

    • Valid government-issued ID and Social Security Card.

Tip: Apply for your FSA ID (username and password) atStudentAid.gov at least three days before filing your FAFSA.

Step 2: Complete Additional Requirements

Depending on your financial aid eligibility, you may also need to:

  • Complete Loan Entrance Counseling (for loan borrowers).

  • Sign a Promissory Note to accept loan terms.

  • Submit an Authorization Form or Verification Worksheet (if requested).

Our Financial Aid Specialists will help you navigate these steps with ease.

Step 4: Finalize Your Enrollment

After your aid is confirmed, we’ll guide you through the remaining enrollment steps to prepare for your first day at ELITE!

Step 3: Meet with Our Financial Aid Office

Once your FAFSA is processed, you’ll receive a Student Aid Index number  (SAI) number. This determines your eligibility for federal grants, loans, and other aid. Schedule a consultation with our Financial Aid Office to finalize your award package.

Types of Financial Aid Available

Federal Pell Grants – Free funding that does not need to be repaid.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG) – Additional grant funding for eligible students.

Federal Direct Stafford Loans – Low-interest loans available to most students.

Parent PLUS Loans – Federal loans for parents of dependent students.

Federal Student Aid

Flexible Payment Plans

For students not eligible for financial aid, ELITE offers customized payment plans to make tuition manageable. Speak with us to explore your options.

Take advantage of external scholarships to lower your costs. Examples include:

  • Desert Community Foundation Scholarships

  • Industry-Specific Grants for beauty and wellness students.

Our team will assist you in identifying and applying for scholarships tailored to your needs.


Scholarships

We proudly support veterans, active-duty service members, and their families with the following benefits:

  • GI Bill® Benefits – Covers tuition and other education-related costs.

  • Military Tuition Assistance (TA) – Pays tuition directly for eligible service members.

  • MyCAA Scholarships – Provides funding for military spouses (eligibility: ranks E-1 to E-5, W-1 to W-2, O-1 to O-2).

Active-Duty Applicants: Approval from your ESO, military counselor, or service is required before enrollment.

Military Liaison: Our specialists are available to help you navigate the TA program, GI Bill® funding, and MyCAA Scholarships.


Military Benefits

Helpful links for military educational benefits:

Additional Resources for Military Students

Maintaining Financial Aid Eligibility

To continue receiving financial aid, students must meet the following Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements:

Maintain a cumulative GPA of 70% or higher.

Maintain a cumulative attendance rate of 67% or higher.

Complete the program within 150% of the published time frame.

Failure to meet these requirements may result in the loss of federal aid. For more details, refer to the Satisfactory Academic Progress policy in your school catalog.

Room & Board Expenses

While ELITE does not offer housing, the school uses state-estimated living expenses to determine the cost of attendance for financial aid packaging purposes.

Contact Our Financial Aid Office

Have questions? We’re here to help.

Office Hours:

Monday – Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM

Friday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
The office is closed for all federal and school-observed holidays.

Meet Our Team:

Caitlin Olshan
Financial Aid Specialist
caitlin@eliteschools.edu
(760) 365-8222

Melissa Ramirez
Director of Compliance & Financial Aid
melissa@eliteschools.edu
(760) 774-3688

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Don’t let finances hold you back. At ELITE Cosmetology School, we’ll work with you to find the best financial solution for your education.