Scholarships

We're excited to announce the 2026 Brilliant Future Scholarship Contest. This is an opportunity for graduating 2026 high school seniors starting our cosmetology program in 2026 to be awarded a scholarship toward their education!

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Great Stories Start at Aveda Institutes

Megan Bitterman

Educator at Aveda Institute Columbus

Columbus, OH

I went to a 4 year college... did corporate America for about 7 years and did not enjoy that grind whatsoever. I just did not feel the payoff. So, I found Aveda, took a tour and signed up!

Levi Gragg

Senior Stylist, Nurtur Salon + Spa

Columbus, OH

It was one of the first times I thought, oh my god this is a career that I haven’t thought about that opens up a lot of doors for me.

Ebony Ivey

Esthetics Educator at Aveda Fredric's Institute

Cincinnati, OH

I didn't see a lot of Aftrican American estheticians in the field, but I felt like this is a lane for me.... I'm going to create my own lane and I'm going to be the example that I was looking for.

Mia Dinh

Owner / Manager, Hammer & Nails

Hollywood, CA

I wanted to be an artist, I wanted to be a teacher, and as I got older, I wanted to be a therapist. Being a hair stylist allowed me to be all of those things.

Sam Williams

Educator at Aveda Fredric's Institute

Indianapolis, IN

Seeing how the instructors interacted with the students & wanted them to succeed inspired me to want to be that person.

Daniel Holzberger

Salon Owner, Award-Winning Stylist, Van Michael Salon

Atlanta, GA

At this point, I have worked editorial, I’ve done hair shows, I’ve done education for Aveda for years and years and years. I’ve worked behind the chair, I’ve owned salons , I’ve owned barber shops, I own a scissor company, I’ve even worked for Aveda in a warehouse. If you go into cosmetology your options are limitless, they really are.

Jake Ivins

Educator, Aveda Institute Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC

Any opportunity I have to make someone else feel good, you know, my cup overflows. I just love helping people just to feel and look their best.

Johnny Haeger

Celebrity & Freelance Stylist, Self-Employed

New York, NY

Its great being my own boss but I don’t think I would have been able to do any of that without the ton of education and foundation I received from Aveda

Become a Cosmetologist in 12 Months!

About NURTUR Aveda Institute

The Nurtur Aveda Institute was founded to create some of the most successful entrepreneurs in hair, skin and nail esthetics, makeup and total body wellness. Our students are educated by accomplished professionals, using innovative curriculums that blend professional techniques with retail and business-building skills.

 

The Nurtur Aveda Institute emphasizes personal well-being as well as environmental responsibility. Using Aveda pure flower and plant essences and plant-based products, we affirm the relationship between personal beauty, wellness and the environment.

The Nurtur Aveda Institutes dedication to Aveda and its network of salons and spas is exemplified by their commitment to educating future professionals at the Nurtur Aveda Institute.

Serving the INDIANAPOLIS AREA

Whether you live in Carmel or Plainfield the commute to Nurtur Aveda Institute Indianapolis is well worth the level of education you can expect to receive. 

Distance from Fishers, IN: 6 Miles
Distance from Noblesville, IN: 11 Miles
Distance from Plainfield, IN: 32 Miles

Award winning education

We pride ourselves on providing high quality education to our students. Our Institutes and students have been honored by Modern Salon Magazine, the North American Hairstyling Awards, the Professional Beauty Association and more!

See our awards

Photos by Keith Bryce

Cosmetology Program

1500 hours | 52 weeks

Express your creativity and talent in hair, skin, nail care and makeup application. Our cosmetology program at the Nurtur Aveda Institute in Indianapolis, IN incorporates 1,500 hours of extensive hands-on learning to provide you a complete understanding of beauty and wellness. Upon completion, you will be ready to take the Indiana state licensing exam. All cosmetology students will receive Level I MUD Makeup Certification with the option for further MUD Certifications upon graduation.

INSTRUCTOR TRAINING Program

1000 hours | 25 weeks

The Institute selects a very limited number of Institute graduates to participate in its Instructor Training Program in Indianapolis. The Instructor Training course applies to individuals who currently hold a Cosmetology license. Learn the fundamentals of instruction methods to develop both theoretical and clinical classroom environments. The curriculum includes course outline and development, Indiana Laws & Rules, lesson planning, teaching techniques and aids, administration, record keeping, administering and grading both theoretical and practical examinations and technical skills assist teaching in both the classroom and clinic service areas under the supervision of a licensed instructor. Upon completion, you will be eligible to take the State of Indiana licensing exam.

  • No, we currently only offer instruction on-campus at our location in Merchants' Square in Carmel, IN.

  • 52 Scheduled Weeks | 1500 Hours to complete Cosmetology Program consisting of Hair, Skin, Nail Care, and Makeup Application.

  • 1500 Hours | 52 Scheduled Weeks. Upon completion, you will be ready to take the Indiana Licensing Exam. 

  • 52 Scheduled Weeks | 1500 Hours of Cosmetology School will enable you to be ready to take the Indiana Licensing Exam.

  • Throughout the year we offer a number of different schedule options to let students choose the schedule that works for them.

  • The cost for students at Nurtur Aveda Institute is estimated at $27,184.00, which includes tuition student kit charges, Indiana sales tax, registration fee and other expenses as well. We've got a financial plan for everyone including options for Federal Financial Aid, Scholarships, Grants, in-house financing, Veterans Benefits and more. Our Financial Aid experts are here to help you find what you qualify for and create the right financial plan for you!

  • To qualify for cosmetology licensure in Indiana, you must attend a licensed school and complete the state of Indiana's minimum required training hours and then pass take and pass the State Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners cosmetology exams.

  • No, a U.S. High School Diploma (or U.S. equivalent) is required.

  • Hair cutting, hair styling, hair color, skin care, makeup, nails, waxing and more!

  • Cosmetology is the art and science of beauty care. A cosmetologist is an expert in beautifying the hair, skin and nails. Branches of specialty include hairstyling, skin care, nail care, and hair removal.

  • Cosmetologists are commonly found working in salons, Estheticians are typically found in spas. While they share common ground, cosmetologists provide a wide variety of beauty services that are more focused around hair but include basic esthetics skills  and estheticians focus on skin care services and are not licensed to do hair services.

  • Cosmetologists learn everything about hair, but they also learn other services in the fields of esthetics and nails. Barbering is limited to men’s hair care and grooming. 


     

  • Cosmetology school and beauty school are just different names for the same education.

  • Currently, some states allow a percentage of your cosmetology program to be done online. The percentage allowed for online education varies by state, but Indiana does not allow online cosmetology education.

  • Cosmetology is the professional study and application of beauty treatments. While many people associate it primarily with hairstyling, a licensed cosmetologist is actually a "master of all trades" in the beauty world. Learn more about Cosmetology here. 

Federal Financial Aid

Federal student aid is available to qualified students. Those that qualify may be awarded a Pell grant, Direct Subsidized and/or Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, and/or Direct Parent Plus loan. In order to be considered for aid, a student must complete a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), which is available at www.fafsa.ed.gov. The amount of financial aid that a student may be awarded is based on a student’s EFC (Expected Family Contribution), which is determined by his or her FAFSA application.

NURTUR AVEDA INSTITUTE INDIANAPOLIS SCHOOL CODE – 041559

Complete the FAFSA Online

Veterans Education Benefits

Students eligible for Veterans Education benefits may be able to use these funds to help finance their education. Our institute currently accepts all forms of Veterans Education benefits, with the exception of the yellow ribbon program. The school will not impose any penalty, including the assessment of late fees, the denial of access to classes, libraries, or other instructional facilities, or the requirement that a covered individual borrow additional funds, on any covered individual because of the individual’s inability to meet his or her financial obligations to the institution due to the delayed disbursement funding from the VA.

For more information regarding Veterans Education benefits, contact VA’s National call center at 1-888-442-4551 or visit www.va.gov. For additional information, eligibility criteria, and instructions on how to apply for VA Educational Benefits”, visit benefits.va.gov/gibill.

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Cosmetology Blog

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