Save your money/ financial aid. This was a waste of 3 months and a $3,000 drop fee. I switched from Avalon to Aveda Institute Phoenix because I didn't feel that I was learning shit. Literally I was scared to blowdry. The kit, the staff, everything was shit. There were two cool teachers. That's it. Save your money and go to Aveda. They work with you until you get it right. You're paying 20k which is a thousand more than Avalon but for the learning and experience I'm more than willing. They actually have state board training during the final phase and master series (classes) from barbers to color and cut specialists and so much more from Hattori Hanzo and the Aveda Network. Even people who have just heard about Aveda products want to come in and see what we're about from all over the the country. If you know what's good for you and a career in the beauty industry instead of working at great clips or cost cutters of that sort, go to Aveda. I'm months away from graduating and becoming a proud Aveda alumni and that's all thanks to Avalon. Oh yeah and I have a job with Dolce Salon and Spa already