The Gavin Oshley Memorial Scholarship: A Free Tuition Cosmetology School Scholarship in Utah
Former student, Gavin Oshley, enrolled at Taylor Andrews Academy because he wanted a career behind the chair. Unfortunately, he didn’t get to finish that story the way he planned. Yet, the people who taught him and sat next to him in class haven’t stopped telling it.
This fall, Taylor Andrews is turning Gavin’s story into something future students can use by offering two full tuition scholarships, one at our Provo campus and one at our West Jordan campus.
Named in memory of Gavin, who will always be a student in our eyes. Because once a student, always a student at Taylor Andrews.
Who Gavin Was
Gavin grew up watching his uncle work behind the chair, and something about that experience stuck with him. As Gavin watched and learned, he saw that the experience was not just about the final transformation. It was how his uncle made people feel while he worked. The conversations, the trust, and the small moment of someone leaving the chair a little more confident than when they walked in was true hospitality. That’s what drew Gavin toward cosmetology.
People who knew Gavin describe him as someone with an unusual gift for making others feel seen. He was generous. Warm. The kind of person who noticed what other people needed before they said it out loud, and who put others’ needs ahead of his own more often than not.
Unfortunately, Gavin also lived with addiction behind the scenes. It was part of his story, and Taylor Andrews and his family aren’t hiding that. But it isn’t his story. Gavin was a person who loved deeply, dreamed about a future in this industry, and was cherished by the people who knew him. That’s who this scholarship is named for: a man who cared for others and made them feel seen, heard, and inspired.
What The Scholarship Actually Is
Here’s where a lot of beauty school scholarships get vague, so let’s be specific.
Taylor Andrews Academy is offering one full tuition scholarship at each of its two campuses, Provo and West Jordan, for a total of two recipients this fall. Each award covers full tuition.
A few things worth understanding before you apply:
- It’s a tuition credit, not a check. The scholarship is applied directly toward your tuition balance. You won’t receive cash upfront.
- It’s disbursed after your final SAP period. The credit is issued once you’ve completed the program and met Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements throughout, not on day one.
- It’s contingent on completing the program. This is a completion-based award tied to finishing your training at Taylor Andrews, not a one-time enrollment bonus.
- It covers tuition only. Books, kits, and supplies aren’t included, so budget for those separately.
- The FAFSA is still required. Every applicant needs to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, regardless of whether they receive the Gavin Oshley Memorial Scholarship. If you haven’t filed yet, studentaid.gov walks you through the process step by step.
Submissions open July 17, 2026 and must be received by August 31, 2026. The winner will be announced September 4, 2026. If you were waiting to submit your paperwork, this is the reminder to get it in before the window closes. You can apply HERE.
Why Taylor Andrews Does This
A lot of cosmetology schools treat scholarships as a marketing line. A number on a flyer. Something to mention on a call with a prospective student and then never bring up again.
Taylor Andrews built this one differently, and that comes down to something simple: when Gavin passed away, we didn’t just send flowers. Instructors who had taught him, staff who knew him by name, they showed up for his family. Creating a scholarship in his name was the next step after that because Gavin embodies the core values that set Taylor Andrews apart.
At Taylor Andrews, we deeply care about the relationship between our school and our students. We don’t just believe in tuition in exchange for hours. Our instructors learn your name in the first week. Students get flexible day and evening scheduling built around real lives, not the other way around. And when something hard happens to someone in this community, we don’t treat it as somebody else’s problem. We show up for you because it is the people behind the chair who change the lives of those around you.
The Gavin Oshley Memorial Scholarship is that philosophy in action: real support, attached to a real person’s name, with terms that are honest about what the scholarship is and isn’t.
Who Should Apply
This scholarship is built for an incoming student at the Provo or West Jordan campus who is serious about finishing a cosmetology, hair design or esthetics program, not just starting one.
You’re a strong fit if:
- You’re enrolling for the upcoming term at Provo or West Jordan
- You’re planning to see your program through to completion, since the award is tied to finishing, not just enrolling
- You’ve filed or are prepared to file the FAFSA
- You need help covering tuition specifically, understanding that books and kit costs are separate
- Embody our core values at Taylor Andrews
Cosmetology is a licensed profession with real career paths on the other side of it. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, demand for hairstylists and cosmetologists continues to grow nationally, and Utah’s beauty industry has plenty of room for someone who finishes their training with a strong foundation. If tuition has been the thing standing between you and that path, this is the kind of scholarship built to remove that barrier.
Ready to apply? The scholarship application is short, and it’s the same form Taylor Andrews is using for both the Provo and West Jordan awards.
- Apply for the Gavin Oshley Memorial Scholarship
- Schedule a campus tour at Provo or West Jordan
Gavin’s Legacy, Continued
Gavin walked into Taylor Andrews because cosmetology meant something to him. He didn’t get to finish the story he set out to write, but two students this fall will get to write theirs, tuition free, because of him.
If that’s you, don’t let the deadline slip past. Learn more about financial aid at Taylor Andrews or apply directly using the link above before submissions close August 31, 2026.
Summary
Key Takeaways:
- Taylor Andrews Academy is awarding one full tuition scholarship at its Provo campus and one at its West Jordan campus in memory of former student Gavin Oshley.
- The award is a tuition credit, not a cash payment. It’s applied directly to tuition and disbursed after the student completes their last Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) period.
- Applicants must still file the FAFSA, since the scholarship covers tuition only and doesn’t apply to kits, books, or supplies.
- Submissions open July 17, 2026 and must be received by August 31, 2026. The winner will be announced September 4, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Gavin Oshley Memorial Scholarship? It’s a full tuition scholarship created by Taylor Andrews Academy in memory of Gavin Oshley, a former student. One scholarship is awarded at the Provo campus and one at the West Jordan campus each year, for a total of two recipients.
Is the scholarship money paid directly to me? No. The scholarship is a tuition credit applied to your account, not a cash payment. It’s disbursed after you complete your final SAP period, contingent on finishing your program.
Do I still need to file the FAFSA if I apply for this scholarship? Yes. The FAFSA is required of every applicant regardless of scholarship eligibility, since the Gavin Oshley Memorial Scholarship covers tuition only and doesn’t replace other financial aid you may need for books, kits, or supplies.
What does the scholarship cover? It covers tuition costs only. It does not cover books, kits, or supply fees, so you’ll want to budget for those separately or explore other financial aid options through the FAFSA.
When is the application deadline? Submissions open July 17, 2026 and must be received by August 31, 2026. The winner will be announced September 4, 2026.
Who is eligible to apply? The scholarship is open to incoming students enrolling at either the Provo or West Jordan campus who are serious about completing a cosmetology or esthetics program.
How many students receive this scholarship? Two students total: one recipient at the Provo campus and one recipient at the West Jordan campus.
Why did Taylor Andrews create a scholarship in Gavin’s name? Gavin was a student at Taylor Andrews who passed away. Instructors and staff who knew him wanted his name to keep meaning something at the school, so they created a scholarship that reflects the way Taylor Andrews tries to show up for its students.
Are there other cosmetology school scholarships in Utah besides this one? Taylor Andrews also participates in standard federal financial aid programs, including Pell Grants and subsidized and unsubsidized federal loans. Details are on the Taylor Andrews Financial Aid page.
How do I apply for the Gavin Oshley Memorial Scholarship? You can apply using the official scholarship form. If you have questions before applying, scheduling a tour at either campus is a great next step!