Paying for Massage Therapy School

A person who is committed to the idea of becoming a licensed massage therapist will have to find a way of paying for massage therapy school. It is true that attending as a full-time student means completing the studies adn getting your massage certification faster. However, the downside is that there will be little or no income to pay for day-to-day living expenses. In addition, there will be a cost of $5,000 to more than $9,000 for the education.

Assuming that the chosen school is an accredited one, there is a good chance that some type of federal financial aid for massage therapy school may be available. If the chosen school is non-accredited, the options for paying for massage school will be more limited.

The student certainly should investigate federal grants. They do not require repayment, and most will allow a student to find additional forms of financial aid as well. Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG), Pell Grants, and Academic Competitiveness Grants all offer substantial support. The student should find out what kind of financial aid assistance is offered by the chosen school, including whether there is a work-study program available. Someone may be available to help with filling out forms.

Loans are another excellent way of paying for massage therapy school. The student should find out about federal Stafford loans, which are administered through a lending institution at a very low rate of interest. If a person’s financial situation is extreme, he or she should ask about a Perkins Loan. These loans are limited to those with the greatest financial need. Banks and other lenders may offer private loans for students who are attending noncertified programs. However, one should be aware that these loans carry high interest rates and may not offer terms that are favorable.

A student might be fortunate enough to win a private scholarship that will help with paying for massage school. Like grants, scholarships are free money gifts to defray the cost of education. Many private businesses, clubs, and other organizations offer scholarships. They can range from a few hundred dollars to thousands. They are often awarded based upon talent, background, interests, or affiliations. Hundreds of scholarships exist for helping students with financial aid for massage therapy school. It is well worth the time it will take to investigate those scholarships for which one fits the profile.