Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa has partnered with nonprofit Beauty Changes Lives to launch two $2,500 scholarships for students enrolled in accredited massage therapy or esthetics programs. Applications are open through July 31, 2026.
Students pursuing careers in massage therapy or esthetics have a new funding opportunity to help cover the cost of their education. Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa, in partnership with the nonprofit Beauty Changes Lives, is awarding two $2,500 scholarships this summer and fall to students currently enrolled in — or newly accepted to — accredited wellness programs.
The initiative, backed by co-partners Universal Companies and Dermalogica, is designed to ease financial barriers for students entering the wellness industry and strengthen the pipeline of qualified massage therapists and estheticians entering the workforce.
About the Scholarships
Two separate $2,500 awards are available: the Hand & Stone x Dermalogica In Good Hands Esthetic Scholarship, aimed at students pursuing esthetics education, and the Hand & Stone x Universal Companies In Good Hands Massage Scholarship, designed for students in massage therapy programs. One recipient will be selected for each award.
The scholarships are part of a broader effort by Hand & Stone to invest in the professionals who will sustain the growing wellness industry. The company currently employs more than 7,000 massage therapists and 3,000 estheticians across its more than 600-location network spanning 36 states and Canada.
“We believe the future of wellness depends on supporting the next generation of massage therapists and estheticians,” Lisa Rossmann, chief concept officer at Hand & Stone, said in a news release. “Careers in wellness and skincare can be deeply meaningful, and we’re proud to help create more accessible pathways for students pursuing those professions.”
Beauty Changes Lives, the nonprofit administering the scholarships alongside Hand & Stone, awards more than $500,000 in scholarships annually to aspiring beauty and wellness professionals. The organization also provides mentorship, advanced education resources, and career programming to help elevate the industry as a whole.
Why This Matters for Wellness Students
Vocational and wellness education programs often fall outside the scope of traditional four-year college financial aid structures, leaving many students to shoulder tuition costs largely on their own. Massage therapy and esthetics programs, while shorter in duration than degree programs, can still carry significant price tags — making scholarships like these particularly meaningful for students who may not have access to robust federal aid packages or institutional grants.
Demand for wellness services has continued to grow in recent years, and the industry faces an ongoing need for trained professionals. By investing directly in student education, Hand & Stone is working to address that gap while also building its own talent pipeline — a model that benefits both individual students and the broader industry.
National School Program
Beyond the scholarship awards, Hand & Stone operates a National School Program that connects its franchise owners with local massage and esthetics schools. The program goes further than traditional job placement by offering tuition reimbursement, student sponsorships and support with grant applications. The program currently includes 97 school partners and is continuing to expand.
The initiative reflects what Hand & Stone describes as a people-first approach — one aimed at removing financial, social and structural barriers that might otherwise prevent qualified individuals from entering wellness careers. For students at partner schools, the program can offer a more direct and financially supported path from classroom training to employment.
Eligibility
To be eligible for either scholarship, applicants must:
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Be currently enrolled in or newly accepted to an accredited massage therapy or esthetics program
- Complete an online application
- Submit proof of enrollment
- Provide a short video as part of the application
Both scholarships are open regardless of geographic location within the United States, and no field of study restriction applies beyond the massage therapy or esthetics program requirement.
How to Apply
Applications for both the esthetics and massage therapy scholarships are open from June 1 through July 31, 2026. Prospective applicants can find the online application for the esthetics award on the Hand & Stone x Dermalogica In Good Hands Esthetic Scholarship page, and the massage therapy award application on the Hand & Stone x Universal Companies In Good Hands Massage Scholarship page.
Students interested in staying current on future scholarship cycles and program updates can also follow Hand & Stone on Instagram at @handandstoneusa.