Black-Owned Barbering Platform Launches Scholarship To Save Student Barbers

Leading barber app theCut has launched a scholarship aimed at nurturing the next generation of barbers and cosmetologists.

Last month, theCut hosted “Shear Elegance: A Night to Save Barbering,” which launched a $5,000 scholarship fund, “Save Financial Aid for Student Barbers.” The campaign aims to fund financial aid for student barbers which is at risk due to the Department of Education’s (DOE) proposed amendments to the gainful employment rule, which could critically affect funding for aspiring student barbers and beauticians.

With the Department of Education proposing to change the Gainful Employment Rule and designate barbering, cosmetology and other personal service jobs as a “low-value” program, this would limit access to financial aid for students seeking enrollment in barber school programs. Now with theCut’s scholarship fund, promising student barbers and beauticians can continue to have access to essential resources despite the potential regulatory changes.

“In an attempt to protect the career choices of aspiring barbers and stylists, we launched the campaign to raise awareness and hopefully become a resource to the DOE in this new environment,” theCut founder Obi Omile tells BLACK ENTERPRISE. “Unfortunately we were unsuccessful in the latter.”

With an unwavering commitment to supporting the barber and beauty community, theCut hopes to aid the next generation of barbers and cosmetologists while raising awareness on their importance to the community.

“Barbers and stylists are essential. This was proven during the pandemic, as they were almost considered essential workers,” Omile says.

“These professionals are tasked with ensuring that everyone can look good, feel good, and do good as often as they so choose. Making sure that we have a future filled with barbers and stylists is obviously important for the mere fact of grooming and appearance upkeep. However, it’s also important to manage supply and demand dynamics to keep prices steady and to best mitigate against unsafe practices throughout the industry.”

TheCut is at the forefront of the barbering community, working to unite individuals with skilled barbers nationwide. Founded in 2016, theCut has surpassed Google’s search volume in the barbering sector, totaling 1.4 million searches.

Those interested in supporting theCut’s scholarship campaign can donate here.