GEORGETOWN, Texas – Sport Clips Haircuts awarded scholarships to 10 outstanding cosmetology students. The goal of the scholarships is to help the students gain skills, training and education to begin a successful career in the booming cosmetology industry. Sport Clips Haircuts is the nation’s leading men’s and boys’ hair care provider and the first hair care franchise to have a presence in all 50 states. The Georgetown, Texas-based company has more than 1,500 stores across the country and created the Access to Cosmetology Education (ACE) Scholarship Program to award scholarships to deserving students enrolled in American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS) member schools.

Sport Clips offers scholarships in the amount of $1,000 each to eligible and qualified students. Each recipient received the educational funds based upon the ability to meet academic and essay requirements. To date, Sport Clips has awarded more the $50,000 in scholarship money to promote quality cosmetology education across the country.

“Sport Clips is planning ahead, and we want to help our nation’s young talent do the same,” says Julie Vargas, senior director of career opportunities for Sport Clips Haircuts. “This country is experiencing a skills gap in various technical and specialized fields. Most people do not realize cosmetology falls into this category, and without properly trained professionals to do the job, there could be a vast shortage of stylists in as few as five to seven years. Sport Clips is bringing in talented individuals to meet our clients’ needs and the demands of the hair care industry. Our goal is to give back in the form of financial assistance to help students advance their education and careers.”

Recipients of the most recent scholarships include a Hays student, Brittany Wise of Hays Academy of Hair Design.