Iowa students deserve equal access to financial aid—no matter where they go to school.

For decades barber and cosmetology students at private schools have been left out of the Iowa Vocational-Technical Tuition Grant (IVTG), while students in the same programs at community colleges can receive significantly more state funded financial aid.

That’s not fair—and it’s time to fix it.

Here’s the issue:

• Students in the same career programs are treated differently based only on the school they attend
• Hundreds of eligible barber and cosmetology students cannot access IVTG funding
• These programs train a workforce that is in high demand across Iowa

The solution:
Allow ALL career and technical education students—regardless of institution—to access the IVTG program.

Take Action Now
Email your State Senator and Representative and ask them to support equal access to the Iowa Vocational-Technical Tuition Grant for barber and cosmetology students. Find Your Legislators at this link. For best accuracy, use your home address rather than zip code or city.

Your voice matters.
Help create fairness, support Iowa’s workforce, and open doors for students.

Dear Senator/Representative, 

My name is (insert name), and I am (insert your role in barbering/cosmetology). I’m writing to ask you to support expanding the Iowa Vocational Technical Tuition Grant program to include barbering and cosmetology students at private institutions.

Students studying in this field are working toward high demand careers. Yet, despite attending a private institution that meets the same accreditation standards as other programs, they do not have equal access to financial aid. This puts these students a disadvantage when they enter the workforce and build a career. 

Private cosmetology and barber schools serve students from all 99 counties, and their graduates go on to open small businesses, support local economies, and provide essential services in towns across the state. Providing fair and equal access to this grant program would strengthen Iowa’s workforce and help more students in need succeed.

(Insert personal story if desired.)

Please support equitable tuition assistance so all students have the same opportunity, no matter their school. 

Sincerely,
(insert name and your HOME address)