At Sephora, we believe in the beauty of diversity and the diversification of the beauty industry. We created the Sephora Scholarship Program to EMPOWER diverse students, specifically students of color pursuing a licensed career in beauty through professional training and education. This six-month program provides participants with tuition assistance for cosmetology and esthetician school, an internship at Sephora, first-hand industry experience, mentorship, and access to open roles following graduation. Upon program completion, Scholars will also receive ongoing support through an alumni network and resources.
About the Program
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SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
- You will attend Sephora-sponsored sessions every month on educational topics related to the pursuit of a career in beauty and other curated beauty industry content. These informative presentations will be hosted by leading beauty brands, industry insiders, and Sephora’s Pro Team. Sessions will run from April 2024 through September 2024. Most sessions will be scheduled on Mondays, but recordings will be made available the following session. Scheduling will be determined by store management, and they will attempt to accommodate your schedule to the best of their ability.
- You will complete a six-month internship in a Sephora store. Sephora is following strict COVID-19 protocols to ensure client and employee safety – this may affect your in-store experience. This is a paid internship, and you are expected to complete a minimum of four in-store hours during the duration of the internship.
The in-store internship will run between April 1, 2024, and September 30, 2024. Your store experience will include the following learnings and insights: -
- How to deliver exceptional customized paid service experiences, including product knowledge, applications, and lessons in makeup and skincare.
- How Sephora stores operate, with special emphasis on the Licensed Beauty Advisor role.
- How to live our Sephora values of Passion for Client Service, Innovation, Expertise, Work-Life Balance, Respect for All, Teamwork, and Initiative.
- You will also be expected to assist with day-to-day store activities. These activities include but are not limited to, assisting with hygiene and cleaning protocols, product replenishment, loss prevention programs, client sampling programs, and assisting in other areas of the store as needed.
- You will remain enrolled and in good standing in an eligible beauty/cosmetology/esthetician school. If you are unable to complete your school program and/or are not in good standing, Sephora may seek to be reimbursed or not disperse funds if they have not been sent.
- You will participate in our beauty scholar community to network and support fellow members, in addition to receiving additional resources and training.
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SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY
- For the internship portion of the program, applicants must be able to show proof of authorization to work in the United States and be able to physically report to one of the participating locations. You will identify which store you are closest to in the application.
- Applicants should be enrolled in an accredited cosmetologist and/or esthetician program in one of the geographic locations listed above with a start date between January 1, 2024 and April 1, 2024. Applicants must be age 18 or older as of January 1, 2024.
- Applicants should have demonstrated experience working in or supporting underrepresented communities of color and/or self-identify as a member of an underrepresented minority groups. This includes, but is not limited to, Black, African American, Hispanic/LatinX, Asian, or Native American/Indigenous minority groups.
- Applicants must be able to demonstrate financial need by qualifying for, and must be approved to receive, financial assistance from the school in which they are enrolled.
- Applicants must be qualified and will receive financial assistance from the school that they are enrolled in and must be able to demonstrate financial need.
- Current or former Sephora employees are not eligible for this program.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- Please visit the link below to apply to become a Sephora Scholar for the 2024 cohort. Applications are due by March 1, 2024. Please include your resume with your application (if you do not have one, please submit a document with your contact information and your school history). Cover letters are optional. Applicants who meet the eligibility requirements and have submitted complete applications will be notified of final decisions via email.
- Applicants may submit applications between January 1, 2024 and March 1, 2024. After the application deadline, interviews will be held. Finalists will be notified by the end of March 2024.
- The maximum scholarship award amount is $7,500.00 per selected applicant.
- A follow-up survey will be sent in March to those selected for the interview round to gather additional details about financial assistance needs. Example: If you have a $10,000 balance with your school, we will pay $7,500. If you have a $4,500 balance with your school, we will pay $4,500.
"Through this program I have been able to gain experience in customer service with people of diverse backgrounds."
"Sephora has offered me real life experiences with clients and has helped me set more educational goals in such little time."
"The Sephora Scholarship is providing me with skills and education that will allow me to stand out in the beauty Industry."
"This Sephora Scholarship program has been life-changing, offering me an inclusive and vibrant future as a Latino male in the beauty/hair industry."
"The Pro Artist classes are so informative and fun. I feel extremely grateful for this program."
"I am very grateful for Sephora’s generosity, sharing their knowledge and a helping hand, Sephora helped me tremendously."
"The Sephora Scholarship Program has helped my professional and personal growth, in addition to the Scholarship support."
Jaylene Pagan
Jasmine Villareal
Keyouna Richardson
Mathew Melendez
Joselyn Meza
Judith Pierre
Shabnam Mahat