Does the GI Bill® cover barber or cosmetology school?

• Page last updated October 23, 2026
• VA data retrieved October 23, 2026 (Comparison Tool data version 1522)

What the GI Bill pays for barber or cosmetology school

These are VA's current Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) figures. VA scales tuition and housing to your eligibility percentage, which depends on how long you served.

• Tuition and fees go directly to the school, up to the cap above. [VA: Post-9/11 GI Bill rates]
• Monthly housing allowance (MHA) is paid to you if you train at more than half time and are not on active duty. How MHA works. [VA: Post-9/11 GI Bill rates]
• Montgomery GI Bill users get a flat monthly payment instead, for example $2,601.00 a month full time at the 3-year rate from Oct 1, 2026. Compare the two. [VA: Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty rates]
• Licensing and certification tests: if the test is approved, VA pays you back for the fee, up to $2,000 per test. [VA: Licensing and certification tests]

Things to know about barber and cosmetology training

• VA names beautician school as an example of a non-college degree program the GI Bill can cover. [VA: Post-9/11 GI Bill rates]
• Barbers and cosmetologists are licensed by a state board, which sets the required training hours. Check your state board's requirements before you enroll.
• If your state licensing exam is approved for the GI Bill, VA can pay you back for the test fee, up to $2,000 per test. [VA: Licensing and certification tests]

How to use your GI Bill for barber or cosmetology school

1. Check your eligibility

   Apply for education benefits on VA.gov to get your Certificate of Eligibility. [VA: How to apply for education benefits]

2. Pick an approved program

   Use the list below, then open the program's VA profile in the Comparison Tool. Approval is for specific programs. [VA: GI Bill Comparison Tool]

3. Read the caution flags

   VA flags issues such as accreditation problems or Heightened Cash Monitoring. We show them in VA's wording.

4. Talk to the certifying official

   The School Certifying Official reports your enrollment to VA. Confirm the start date and program before you sign anything. [VA: Choosing a GI Bill approved school]

Approved barber and cosmetology programs

As of October 23, 2026, VA's data lists 1,563 barber and cosmetology training locations in 52 states and territories: 1504 with school programs and 59 with apprenticeship or OJT. The most locations are in Texas (157), Florida (116), California (100), Georgia (78), Pennsylvania (78).

By type: 1,038 for-profit schools, 444 public colleges and technical schools, 59 employers and apprenticeship sponsors, 22 private nonprofit schools. The most common program titles in VA's data are “Cosmetology” (588), “Certificate: Cosmetology” (167), “Barbering” (162).

Search all 1,563 barber and cosmetology locations →

Or go straight to a state:

• Alabama (24)
• Arizona (21)
• Arkansas (43)
• California (100)
• Colorado (35)
• Connecticut (10)
• Delaware (5)
• Florida (116)
• Georgia (78)
• Idaho (14)
• Illinois (59)
• Indiana (39)
• Iowa (15)
• Kansas (22)
• Kentucky (19)
• Louisiana (44)
• Maryland (14)
• Massachusetts (16)
• Michigan (39)
• Minnesota (24)
• Mississippi (32)
• Missouri (26)
• Montana (5)
• Nebraska (10)
• Nevada (10)
• New Hampshire (8)
• New Jersey (42)
• New Mexico (11)
• New York (53)
• North Carolina (67)
• North Dakota (5)
• Ohio (44)
• Oklahoma (37)
• Oregon (5)
• Pennsylvania (78)
• Puerto Rico (18)
• South Carolina (33)
• South Dakota (6)
• Tennessee (58)
• Texas (157)
• Utah (16)
• Virginia (29)
• Washington (14)
• West Virginia (14)
• Wisconsin (33)

Common questions

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.