Eight Tampa Bay area cosmetology schools and Tampa Bay massage therapy schools have received $2.3 million in economic stimulus money. The money is being used to pay the tuition of future cosmetologists, nail technicians and massages therapists.

Stimulus money is being awarded in the form of Pell Grants which are given to low-income students. These grants don’t have to be repaid. The stimulus bill includes $17 billion to boost the Pell Grant program and raise the maximum annual award from $4,731 to $5,350.

There are mixed opinions about beauty schools receiving stimulus money. Some within the industry say that there aren’t enough jobs available right now to justify tax dollars being spent on cosmetology schools. And instead of helping potential cosmetologists, they should be helping those out of work. Others understand that this can give thousands of people education and career opportunities that they wouldn’t have had otherwise.

Whether or not you agree with the stimulus package, I don’t see any reason why cosmetology training is being singled out in this article. Beauty schools are not the only type of vocational school where students are awarded money, and cosmetology is not the only struggling industry right now. Only 17 percent of the money goes to cosmetology schools, whereas the remaining 83 percent will aid students pursuing computer, health care, aviation and other careers.

Cosmetology is not less valuable than these career paths! And beauty school students should be no less eligible for financial aid, scholarships, grants and loans than any other career college student.

In this economy, you have to work harder to find a job – in every industry. There is no reason to put the brakes on learning and higher education, or to put the brakes on people trying to better themselves through career colleges. As long as Pell Grants are being given, cosmetology schools students should be equally eligible to receive them.