A generous gift from the Sydell & Arnold Miller Family Foundation is funding the development of beauty and wellness scholarships to be administered by the Beauty Changes Lives Foundation. Announced during the Beauty Changes Lives Experience on March 26, the Miller’s gift of $1,000,000 over a 10-year period will support new scholarships for cosmetology and esthetic students as well as licensed hairstylists, and expand the Miller family’s longstanding philanthropic legacy.

Sydell Miller, co-founder of Matrix, Ardell lashes and former chairman of the board of Aquage, made the announcement during her acceptance speech for the Beauty Changes Lives Foundation’s 5th annual Legacy Award. Miller and her late-husband Arnold are the first co-recipients of the Legacy Award which recognizes industry icons whose careers have defined a commitment to support professional beauty education.

The Miller’s gift will fund eight Beauty Changes Lives scholarships yearly in four categories that honor various segments of the industry, including:

• The Arnold M. Miller “Findaway” Scholarship will celebrate students who demonstrate the “findaway” attitude and entrepreneurial spirit that defined Arnold Miller’s career. Awarded annually, this scholarship will fund up to $25,000 toward tuition for one student enrolled at an American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS) member school.

• The “Fashion Forward” Hairdressing Student Scholarship will be awarded to four students that exemplify the term “fashion forward” in their personal style and artistry. Each scholarship will fund 50% of tuition, up to $10,000 per student.The scholarships will be awarded annually to students enrolled in an AACS member school.

• The Sydell L. Miller “Total Image” Esthetic Scholarship honors Sydell Miller’s insight years ago that skin care, esthetic treatments, cosmetics and body care would become key growth drivers in the professional salon industry. One $15,000 scholarship will be awarded annually to an esthetic student enrolled in an AACS member school.

• The NextGen Advanced Education Scholarship will be awarded to two licensed hairstylists working in their craft for two-to-five years. Winners will personify Sydell and Arnold Miller’s philosophy of being a student throughout life’s journey. Awarded annually, each scholarship will fund up to $5,000 toward an advanced educational program at a beauty school, advanced academy or manufacturer’s academy program.

The scholarships funded by the Sydell & Arnold Miller Family Foundation will open October 1, 2017. The competition window closes on January 31, 2018, and the inaugural winners will be announced during America's Beauty Show 2018. Winners will be selected by a judging panel comprised of prominent hairdressers, industry personalities and a member of the Miller family.

Philanthropy is a longstanding tradition for the Millers whose generosity supported the construction of the Sydell and Arnold Miller Family Pavilion housing the #1 ranked Cleveland Clinic Heart and Vascular Center.  

"We are incredibly touched by the generosity of the Sydell & Arnold Miller Foundation,” said Lynelle Lynch, President, and Founding Member of the Beauty Changes Lives Foundation. “Their passion, vision and philanthropic spirit evoke the very best of an amazing industry and we are humbled to accept this generous gift.”

Additional information on the Sydell & Arnold Miller Family Foundation Scholarships – including how to apply – will be available on the Beauty Changes Lives website in May 2017.