"I don't have a Social Security number, just an ITIN. Can I still enroll?" "I'm undocumented. Is there any way to do this?" "I have my SSN but my card is back home in New York." These are three different situations that land in our inbox the same way: someone who wants a beauty license and isn't sure the paperwork will let them. Here's the straight answer on beauty school with an ITIN in California, including the parts about money that most schools leave out.
The short answer
Yes. Beyond enrolls students with either a valid Social Security number or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). You'll also need a government photo ID and proof of high school completion, same as everyone else. What changes with an ITIN is the money: federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell, federal loans) requires an SSN and eligible citizenship or immigration status, so ITIN-only students pay through Beyond's payment plan instead. For the nail program, that's the same $5,595 everyone pays. For cosmetology and esthetics, it's the full tuition on a plan.
What Beyond needs to enroll you with an ITIN
- Your ITIN assignment letter from the IRS (the CP565 notice). If you've lost it, you can request a copy from the IRS. The number alone isn't enough; we need the letter for your file.
- A government-issued photo ID. A California driver's license or DMV ID (California issues both regardless of immigration status), or a valid passport from any country. A birth certificate on its own is not a photo ID and won't work.
- High school diploma, official transcripts, or GED. A diploma from another country is fine, but it has to be translated and evaluated by a credential-evaluation service first. Plan two to four weeks for that.
That's it. There's no immigration question on our enrollment agreement beyond the SSN/ITIN line, and we don't provide or verify visa status either way.
What about financial aid?
This is where we'd rather be honest up front than have you find out at orientation.
Federal aid: no
The FAFSA requires a Social Security number and one of the eligible citizenship categories (U.S. citizen, permanent resident, and a few others). An ITIN doesn't qualify. If you're a DACA recipient or have a green card, read our post on FAFSA eligibility for non-citizens.
What actually works: the payment plan
Beyond's in-house payment plan is available to every student, no credit check, no SSN required, no interest. You put down a deposit at orientation and pay a fixed amount monthly while you're in school. Read the details in our grants vs. loans guide, and bring your budget to a tour so we can put the real numbers in front of you.
Can you get a California beauty license with an ITIN?
Yes. California law lets state licensing boards accept an ITIN in place of a Social Security number on license applications, and the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology does. You'll complete your hours, we issue your proof of training, we help you apply for the exam, and the license is issued to you the same as anyone else.
"I have an SSN but not the card"
Different problem, easier fix. We need a copy of your Social Security card for your file. If it's lost, request a replacement through your my Social Security account online or at a Social Security office; it usually arrives in about 10 business days. If the name on your card doesn't match your ID (marriage, correction), follow up with the Social Security office and provide them with the required documents.
Who this fits
- You have an ITIN, and want to know if the door is open. It is.
- You're undocumented and were told beauty school isn't possible. Enrollment may be; federal aid isn't.
- You have an SSN and just lost the card. Get a replacement started and book your tour anyway.
Come talk numbers, not paperwork
Bring your ITIN letter and your ID to a tour and we'll go over exactly what enrollment looks like for you and what the payment plan would be for the program you want. Schedule a tour, call (562) 404-6193, or visit 13640 Imperial Highway, Suites 6-8, Santa Fe Springs. All classes are taught in English; here's what that means in practice in our post on beauty school classes taught in English.
