Welcome to the Beauty Changes Lives Scholarship Application Portal!
Beauty Changes Lives uses judging software Submittable to upload your application, documents and to facilitate the judging process.
If you are applying for the first time, you will be asked to Sign Up in Submittable and login. Please save this information, as only the team at Submittable can support any changes.
Once you are logged in follow the next steps for applying:
Click on the “Apply Now!” button for the scholarship you wish to apply.
You will be asked several eligibility questions that pertain to the specific scholarship. If you receive an “Ineligibility Message” after submitting, it will direct you back to the Beauty Changes Lives scholarship site. Check to see if you may be eligible for another scholarship! We are updating new scholarships every season!
Check out the current calendar at the bottom of the page HERE.
If you are eligible, you can begin the application process by filling in your contact, school information and demographics. Each scholarship asks for you to upload documents and submit a video for judging.
Your application saves a DRAFT of your application automatically. This gives you the ability to return and complete the application once you have finished your video submission. Make sure to complete prior to the deadline, as the application closes at the end of the season at 11:59 PM PST automatically.
Once you have provided the specific requirements, you can submit the application. You will receive a message showing you we have received your application. Your submission is now moved to the review stage and will change from NEW to IN PROGRESS.
You can always log back in to check on the status of the submission. Check out this helpful article on SUBMISSION STATUS.
GIVE YOURSELF PLENTY OF TIME TO APPLY! The sooner you submit, the reviewer has time to reach out to you and let you know if anything is missing or needs clarification. This will give you time to edit your submission prior to judging. Don’t wait until the last minute!
If the application shuts off at the deadline, YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ASK FOR AN EXTENSION. If the application is not saved due to traffic because of an influx of last-minute applications, or if you experience computer issues within the last hour prior to the deadline and your application is not accepted, YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE AN EXTENSION.
It takes approximately a month after the deadline date to review, judge and announce the winners of the scholarships for each season. You will receive a notification regardless of being selected as a recipient.
Here are some helpful tools to review that can provide insight on how to complete a successful submission that will stand out to the judges.
- Watch this HOW-TO VIDEO that gives important tools to make your submission STAND OUT!
- Do NOT go over the allotted time for the scholarship video submission requirement. Even one second over and you will be disqualified.
- Make sure your YOUTUBE video is made public and make sure the link works. If it is private the judge will not be able to view it and it may be disqualified.
- Be Professional! Any foul language or inappropriate behavior or visuals will not be tolerated.
- Check out Past Winner’s Videos.
- Review the Judging Criteria used for scoring each submission.
- Read the FAQ’s.
If you need assistance using Submittable, please contact the Submittable support HERE.
Check back on a regular basis at Beauty Changes Lives for all the updated scholarships and check out our calendar HERE.
Follow us on Instagram @beautychangeslives and Facebook @beautychangeslives
Subscribe to our mailing list and get more helpful information on new scholarships, mentorship opportunities, advanced education, and grants and how you can support the Beauty Changes Lives mission.
Most of all when making your submission, HAVE FUN, show your personality, your creativity and your passion!
We look forward to having you as a part of the professional beauty industry and look forward to your career success.
GOOD LUCK!
Beauty Changes Lives
The Sola Icon Grant opportunity reflects Sola’s long-standing commitment to empowering beauty professionals to become independent entrepreneurs.
Since its founding in 2004, Sola has reimagined salon ownership by offering high-end, move-in-ready private studios and the support needed for professionals to launch their own businesses — giving you control over your schedule, pricing, and creative vision instead of being tied to traditional salon constraints. By investing in these grants and scholarships, Sola is extending that mission: removing barriers, championing independence, and helping the next generation of beauty pros turn their passion into a thriving, self-owned business built on their own terms.
Award Amount | # of Recipients
Total of $5,000 for the Winter 2026 season
One (1) $5,000 for an established Sola professional (Must be an existing Sola Pro for 1 year or longer) with a defined business growth plan.
The Winter 2026 Scholarship season opens from December 1, 2025 – February 15, 2026, at 11:59 PM PST.
Applicant Qualifications
To qualify for Sola Entrepreneurial Icon Grant, applicants must:
- Hold an active professional license.
- Be an existing Sola Pro with 1+ year lease (Icon) and a defined plan for growth.
- Not be an employee, contractor, or immediate family member of BCL or affiliated vendors.
- Sola employees may apply if they do not serve in leadership, managerial, supervisory, decision-making, or authority roles.
Application Requirements
To apply for Sola Entrepreneurial Grants (Licensed Pros) please submit:
- A 1,000-word business plan (document)
- A detailed budget plan (document)
- Professional résumé (document)
- Active license documentation.
- A three-minute video pitch. Submit a 3-minute MAXIMUM, YouTube video with a public link answering the following questions:
- How has your journey as an independent professional at Sola shaped your business and personal growth over the past year or more?
- Describe specifically how you plan to use this $5,000 grant. What will you invest in, and how will this investment transform your business or take it to the next level?
- What challenge or barrier has been holding your business back, and how will addressing it with this grant create new opportunities for growth?
- Reflect on a significant obstacle you've overcome as an independent business owner and what you learned from that experience.
(Be sure to REFERENCE “Sola Icon" Grant when answering the questions within your video submission.)