Here are affordable cosmetology training options in Illinois that offer financial aid (grants, federal aid, scholarships, or institutional aid). I focused on programs that are known to be lower-cost (community colleges or smaller trade schools) or that explicitly advertise federal/institutional aid.

Quick notes before the list

• First step for most students: complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) so schools can determine eligibility for Pell Grants, federal student loans, and many institutional awards. Many cosmetology schools and community colleges walk students through FAFSA. (paulmitchell.edu)
• Other funding sources to look for: state/workforce WIOA scholarships, school scholarships, private scholarships (including recent industry funds), and payment plans offered by schools. (apps.illinoisworknet.com)

Recommended schools/programs (with evidence they offer financial aid or are lower-cost)

1. South Suburban College (South Holland, IL) — Community college cosmetology program

   • Program listed on Illinois training portal with tuition around $6,536 plus fees and shows Pell Grants/financial aid eligibility. Good lower-cost community-college option. (apps.illinoisworknet.com)

2. Rend Lake College (Ina, IL) — Cosmetology AAS / certificate

   • Listed on Illinois training portal with total costs under many for-profit schools and explicitly lists Pell Grants, federal loans, and institutional scholarships as available. (apps.illinoisworknet.com)

3. Highland Community College — School of Cosmetology

   • School advertises a very affordable program for the tri-state region and notes programs are financial-aid eligible; good option if local to their campus. (highland.edu)

4. Aveda Institute Chicago — private cosmetology school

   • Costs are published on state training information; Aveda Institute has a financial aid officer and offers federal aid/financial counseling (check their financial aid office for current packages). Aveda is pricier than community colleges but often offers scholarships and payment plans. (apps.illinoisworknet.com)

5. Paul Mitchell The School — Chicago (Paul Mitchell franchise)

   • Publishes FAFSA guidance and a school code; many students receive institutional aid—Paul Mitchell campuses commonly accept federal aid and provide scholarships/discounts. Compare net price and scholarship availability with community colleges. (paulmitchell.edu)

6. Cosmetology & Spa Academy (Crystal Lake / Elgin / Rockford / Schaumburg locations)

   • School explicitly states Federal Student Aid (Pell, Direct Loans) is available for qualifying students and lists scholarship opportunities. Good for suburban/northern Illinois students. (cosmetologyandspaacademy.edu)

7. Your School of Beauty Culture (Chicago) — WIOA-approved programs

   • Listed on Illinois worknet WIOA training portal with lower tuition totals for some programs and WIOA eligibility (which can cover training costs for eligible jobseekers). Useful if you qualify for workforce funding. (apps.illinoisworknet.com)

8. Other Illinois community colleges with cosmetology/esthetics programs

   • Many community colleges (local CCs, technical colleges, and regional colleges) offer cosmetology or esthetics certificates/associate programs that are generally more affordable than private schools and are FAFSA/Pell-eligible. Examples include programs you’ll find via Illinois worknet/training pages and the colleges’ financial aid offices. (Check the college’s program page and ask about Pell eligibility and school scholarships.) (apps.illinoisworknet.com)

How to compare cost and maximize aid (practical steps)

• Fill out the FAFSA right away (it’s used by nearly every school to determine federal grants/loans and many institutional awards). If you want help, many schools will assist you in completing it. (paulmitchell.edu)
• Ask each school for a “net price” or cost estimate: tuition, kit fees, supplies, and living costs minus likely aid. Compare net price (not just sticker tuition). (niche.com)
• Ask about specific aid types: Pell Grants (don’t need to be repaid), institutional scholarships, school payment plans, veteran benefits (if applicable), WIOA/workforce funding, and short-term emergency grants. (apps.illinoisworknet.com)
• Verify program hours and licensing eligibility (Illinois requires specific clock hours for cosmetology licensure) and confirm the program’s approved status with IDFPR or the Illinois training portal. This ensures the program qualifies for federal/state aid. (apps.illinoisworknet.com)
• Ask about graduation and job-placement support—some schools with strong placement records can be worth paying a bit more if they lead to steady employment.

If you’d like, I can

• look up cosmetology program pages and current published tuition for 2–4 schools nearest your city or ZIP code, and pull their financial-aid contact info and estimated total cost; or
• prepare a one-page comparison (tuition, kit fees, likely aid sources, contact) for 3 schools you name.

Which would you prefer?