Attending massage school is an exciting prospect and a great opportunity to prepare for a career in a relatively short amount of time. Despite the quick completion time for the training and education, the cost of massage school is as expensive as most other degree or diploma programs–and sometimes more so. If the cost of massage school has you counting your pennies, then you will be glad to know that you may be eligible for financial aid to help pay for your education.

The first thing you should do is determine if your program is accredited by an accrediting agency that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. If it is, then you can apply for federal student loans and grants. Federal student loans are very low interest loans that will need to be repaid after graduation. Federal grants are gifts that do not need to be repaid. Federal grants are usually awarded to students who demonstrate financial need. In order to determine your eligibility for federal money, you will need to complete a Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which can be done online. It is best to complete this application between January 1 and March 1 for award money that arrives in the summer. Once you receive the results of your FAFSA, then you can determine what federal aid is the best for your situation.

If you do not qualify for federal assistance or your school is not accredited by an agency recognized by the DOE, you still have plenty of options for financial aid. If you are looking for student loans, you may be able to obtain non-federal student loans or private loans. Some of these loans come with higher interest rates and may not allow you to defer payments until after graduation, so look at the terms of these loans carefully to ensure that you are comfortable with the terms before agreeing to them. You can also apply for scholarships, such as The Spa Foundation’s award, to help defray the cost of school. Remember that scholarships do not usually cover the entire tuition and are typically in high demand with plenty of competition for the awards. If you have served in the U.S. armed forces, you shouldn’t overlook the opportunity for education benefits through the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs, which are available to veterans, servicemembers, and some dependents.

Another important resource to investigate for financial aid is the school where you plan to study. Many massage schools offer financial assistance to their students. Often, schools offer no-interest payment plans that allow you to pay on your education while you are enrolled. Massage schools will frequently have private scholarships available only for their students, as well as work-study opportunities. Schools are usually willing to work with students to help make their education affordable.

If after pursuing all of these opportunities, you still find that you are a little short on funds, then you can always take the time to save a bit of money before making the move to attend massage school. Many students work toward their goal of becoming a massage therapist by putting back some savings to better manage the expenses of school prior to actually starting school. And don’t forget, you can always ask your Uncle Fred for an investment in your future, too.

Top Massage Therapy Programs

	Boca Beauty Academy of Massage - If you're interested in becoming a massage therapist, Boca Beauty Academy of Massage offers a fantastic program for students interested in this growing industry.
Cincinnati Cleveland	Center for Massage & Natural Health - The Center for Massage & Natural Health assists students in reaching their goal of becoming a massage therapist affordably and conveniently.
Boston Tampa Scottsdale	Cortiva Institute for Massage - Cortiva Institute for Massage prepares aspiring massage therapists with a rigorous program in the field of massage therapy. With locations available across the country, students can get prepared quickly.
	U.S. Career Institute - At the U.S. Career Institute, students will be taught alternative health treatments to assist people in feeling better. With a number of organizations hiring in various positions, don't pass up this opportunity to go back to school and start a great career.