Image Description: Scholarship recipient Adora takes a celebratory group photo with her classmates at Atelier Academy. Adora was one of 11 recipients across North America for the spring award period.

Great Clips franchisee Jennifer Finkelstein wants to set the record straight. “There’s a misconception out there that when it comes to stylists, Great Clips® salons are focused on speed. That's simply not the case,” she says. “We’re focused on education and training.” 

According to Jennifer, a franchisee who owns and operates seven Great Clips salons in Minnesota, “We want to make sure quality haircuts are walking out our salon doors, every single time,” she says. 

“When a stylist joins a Great Clips salon,” Jennifer continues, “they step into a structured, supportive system built for their success. We offer virtual and in-person learning resources, in-house coaches (at many salon locations), and a step-by-step first-year certification process designed to build confidence at every stage.” 

And for brand new cosmetology school graduates, Jennifer says "In my organization, we never put anyone on the floor who is not ready!" Great Clips, Inc. offers ongoing technical training and coaching to help salons get new stylists comfortable and deliver the brand with every cut. In fact, the brand is so committed to education, it invests resources in the students who will shape the future of the industry.  

Building up the next generation of stylists 

This spring, Great Clips, Inc. announced the latest recipients of its Great Scholarship Program and Great Tools Giveaway, two initiatives designed to ease the financial barriers that stand between talented students and the careers they're working hard to build. The response was overwhelming; over 3,000 students applied for the Great Scholarship Program, a testament to just how many passionate future stylists are ready to make their mark! 

From the impressive pool of applicants, 11 students were each awarded a $5,000 tuition scholarship to support their cosmetology education. Congratulations to: 

• Sienna from NIWE Academy (Calgary) 

• Carli from Paul Mitchell the School (Cincinnati) 

• Kiara from Douglas J Aveda Institute (Detroit) 

• Anna from Intellitech College (Grand Junction) 

• Sophia from Ogle School of Hair (Houston) 

• Cesar from American Academy of Cosmetology (Jacksonville) 

• Salenia from Somerset Community College (Lexington) 

• Adora from Atelier Academy (Minneapolis–St. Paul) 

• Angel from Xenon Academy (Omaha) 

• Ariana from Empire Beauty School (Philadelphia) 

• Rosa from Bellus Academy (San Diego) 

Hope and excitement for the future 

Adora, a scholarship winner from Minneapolis-St. Paul, was blown away by her win. "I couldn't believe it! Nothing like this has ever happened to me before,” she says. “I am very, very grateful. This scholarship has helped me with my financial situation. I can't wait for what the future holds." 

Professional tools for future professionals 

While tuition is one barrier, walking into your first day on the floor without professional-grade tools is another. The Great Tools Giveaway addresses exactly that, awarding the winning high school cosmetology students a professional tool kit valued at over $500, including shears from Superior Shears and a clipper/trimmer set from Caliber Beauty. 

This spring's winners are: 

• Savannah from Surry Community College (Raleigh) 

• Hai from M Barber & Stylist (Washington, D.C.) 

• Kelsy from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (Hattiesburg-Laurel) 

• Ashley from Aveda (Birmingham) 

• Jaime from Paul Mitchell the School (Little Rock) 

• Alexandra from Maple Valley High School (Fargo) 

• Jillian from Impact Institute Jr/Sr High School (Ft. Wayne) 

• Piper from Avanti Beauty Academy (Salt Lake City) 

What’s next for you? 

If you’re a cosmetology or barber school student, check out our Students and Scholarships page. If you’re a recent or soon-to-be grad, and you’re interested in joining a Great Clips® salon, use our job search tool to find opportunities with a locally-owned salon near you and build a career you’ll love. 

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All Great Clips® salons are independently owned and operated by third party franchisees. Franchisees, not Great Clips, Inc., are responsible for all hiring and personnel matters at their individual salons.