How to afford to become a Massage Therapist at Center for Massage and Natural Health in Asheville, NC

 Hi everyone and welcome to June!  We are so excited for the summer season and hopeful that you are enjoying a wonderful weekend!  Here is a short planning blog and update that should be helpful as you consider attending Massage School!

I.  When attending an "Accredited Institution" one of either the "American Opportunity Tax Credit" (AOTC) or the "Lifelong  Learning Tax Credit" (LLC) is applied to the tax filing in the year you attend.
The link is provided below and all you need to do is follow the instructions to file with your 2025 taxes this upcoming year!

Center for Massage and Natural Health is a qualified Institution for both of these Tax Credits and we send 1098Ts out in the month of January.  This is important as it can put up-to $2,500 in your pocket so please make sure we have current address information so you will actually receive the form!!

II.  The specific link to these credits is located at:  https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/individuals/llc

a.  Lifelong Learning Credit (LLC)
-  The LLC is a credit of up-to $2,000 and is available to everyone who has paid in federal tax from any job held in 2025 and is applied to any amount owed before considering any withholding payments.
-  The credit is available for up-to $2,000 and is just like cash to be applied to what is owed.  This determines whether you also receive a refund after your tax liability or whether you just have to pay less if your liability is more than $2,000.

b.  American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC)
- The AOTC is a credit of up-to $2,500 and is available to anyone who has not completed the first four years of higher education. 
- This is a better Credit because up to 40% is refundable, whether you have any tax liability or not, meaning if your standard deduction reduces your liability to $0, you can still get a $1,000 refund!  If you do have a tax liability you can apply the credit to reduce the amount you owe by up-to $2,500.

III.  Both credits are wonderful and provide meaningful ways to help offset the expenses of attending the program.  You choose what works the best for you!!
-  If you are eligible for a full grant that can save you $5,554.
-  If you owe tax you can apply the tax credit of up-to $2,500.
-  If you don't owe tax you can still get a refund of up-to $1,000 from the AOTC!
-  If you have an Associates or HS transcript, with a GPA of 3.5+ you are eligible for $500 or $1,000 for a Bachelors that is applied to any balance owed.
-  All of these add-up to up-to $9,054 and if you need funds to help pay for expenses, student loans of up to $6,831 are also available.
-  Veterans programs that can pay for 100% of school.

You pick the approach that works best for you - it is as simple as that!

IV  We are proud to have the necessary eligibility for each of you to participate in the program that fits your specific situation!  

V.  Our upcoming June 2   will be able to use this almost immediately after graduation0th class graduates on January 15th and your Tax Credit will be immediately usable to help with your cash flow.  Any refunds will directly offset and reduce the overall cost of school! and will be usable nearly immediately when you file 

For the June class, we have a wonderful group of students lined up with 2 spots left.  The June Class is a core class day format of Wednesday / Thursday and then clinic, etc...  We welcome hearing from you!.