In an effort to consolidate the four days of deliberations into a "brief" summation, we have chosen to share the Department’s "Summary of Change" and highlights of the topics and takeaways for each of the eight Issue Papers.

We also focus on a key issue of importance regarding lease liability contained in the Financial Responsibility Subcommittee’s recommendations to the Committee.  AACS will be seeking additional information from many within our membership in order to help us formulate a response and additional recommendations prior to the Subcommittee’s final meeting in just a few weeks.

• Issue Paper 1 – Federal Standard
• Issue Paper 2 – Regulatory Framework
• Issue Paper 3 – Financial Responsibility and Administrative Capability
• Issue Paper 4 – Pre-dispute Arbitration Agreements, Class Action Waivers, & Internal Dispute Process
• Issue Paper 5 – Closed School Discharge
• Issue Paper 6 – False Certification
• Issue Paper 7 – Guaranty Agency Collection Fees
• Issue Paper 8 – Recalculation of Borrower’s Subsidized Usage Period and Interest Accrual

Financial Responsibility Subcommittee:

• Issue Paper 2 – Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Update, ASU 2016-2, Leases (Topic 842), and the Department’s Financial Responsibility Standards

Click here to read the full summary of the Borrower Defenses & Financial Responsibility sessions.

 

At the 2018 School Leaders Summit we will shed light on areas for improvement in the Beauty and Wellness Education Industry. By sharing stories of challenge and success, we will enlighten ourselves and our peers to see potential we may not have seen before. The culmination of the 2018 School Leaders Summit will be a day spent on Capitol Hill, where we will come face to face with members of Congress and their staff to discuss the critical issues facing our schools.

Do you have a success story you can share with your fellow AACS Members? Teach a session on what works best for you. Do you know other school leaders who are changing the industry? Host a Fish Bowl or Panel to discuss best practices.

We are looking for dynamic speakers to lead sessions in the following areas:

• Marketing & Advertising – How to attract students in an ever-changing world. What strategies are working for you?
• Admissions – The enrollment process – from Lead to Interview to Contract. What strategies are working for you?
• Student & Staff Engagement – How to create an experience that keeps students and staff engaged and motivated. What strategies are working for you?
• Retention – Strategies to keep students enrolled in your school. What strategies are working for you?

Click here to submit your application today!

January is National Mentoring Month, a time to recognize the life-changing power of mentoring. The Mentorship Experience Competition is a unique fundraiser allowing schools to show off their creativity and entrepreneurial mindsets while competing for an iconic industry mentor visit. Two mentorships will be awarded to the schools raising the most funds, and a third mentorship will be awarded in a random drawing! 

Meet the mentors, learn more and register today at https://beautychangeslives.org/fundraising/.

A Virginia bill to abolish the state’s Board for Barbers and Cosmetology, and deregulate the practices of barbering, cosmetology, nail care, waxing, tattooing, body piercing, and esthetics was introduced last week by Delegate Michael Webert (R). The bill has not yet received a Committee referral. Republicans currently hold a 51 to 49 seat majority in Virginia’s House of Delegates.    

Florida’s House of Representatives voted 74 to 28 last Friday to pass HB 15. As previously reported, the bill would reduce the number of hours of training for barbers and restricted barbers from 1,200 to 600 for barbers and from 1,200 to 325 for restricted barbers.

Click here to read the full State Relations Update from Brian Newman.

During our Annual Convention in Las Vegas, we were thrilled to reveal the formation of our political action committee (AACS PAC). As we continue to build a modern association, we want to keep you fully informed about our work, and we’d like to share more information about what it means to utilize such a valuable tool to advance our advocacy. 

We’ve designed these webinars to help you understand how the creation of our PAC takes us into the future, and we invite you to learn about the work that AACS PAC can do on your behalf—but, we need your help to get there. Please join us for one of our webinars to learn how you can be a part of our efforts.

• Tuesday, January 23, 2018 1:00pm (EST)

The webinar content will cover:

• How PACs operate
• Guidelines for PAC participation—what to expect as school owner and partner members
• Benefits of a PAC

Click here to register today!

We invite anyone within your corporate leadership with managerial and decision-making abilities for your company to join us on this call. This person may also be the corporate representative with whom AACS normally conducts business activities. The information to be shared can only be acted upon firstly by your company’s leadership—those who have decision-making abilities to authorize AACS PAC to send communications to your employees. Most likely, people that fit this definition are those with titles matching or similar to CEO, COO, CFO, president, vice-president, and the like.

 

The culmination of the 2018 School Leaders Summit will be a day spent on Capitol Hill, where we will meet with legislators to advocate on behalf of the Beauty and Wellness Education Industry. This important event will bring members of Congress and their staff face to face with school owners and industry leaders to discuss the critical issues facing our schools. Your advocacy efforts matter – in-person meetings between legislators and constituents are one of the most powerful ways to impact public policy.

If you register for the 2018 School Leaders Summit before February 28, you will receive a complimentary registration to Capitol Hill day, including all training sessions and special events. Take advantage of this amazing offer - click here to sign up today!

Don’t forget to renew your AACS Membership for 2018! As of January 1, 2018 membership dues have increased. If you have received an invoice, RENEW TODAY to take advantage of your 2017 pricing! You can even renew online for added convenience.

If you have any questions, or would like to submit your payment over the phone, please contact Linda Williams or Glen Fernandez or call 800.831.1086 for more details.

IMPORTANT REMINDER – 14 DAYS LEFT TO SUBMIT GE PROGRAM APPEALS

For those AACS member institutions who filed a Notice of Intent to Appeal one or more GE program Debt-to-Earnings rates by the October 6, 2017, deadline, please be aware that you have until Thursday, February 1, 2018, to submit final appeal documentation to the Department.

Several AACS member institutions have contacted AACS Public Policy Advisor Tom Netting regarding specific questions and issues related to the submission deadline and technical issues related to their individual program submissions. While Tom, the GRC, and others within our community will do our best to assist you, it is highly recommended that you direct your initial inquiries to the U.S. Department of Education’s GE Operations Team at AltEarningsAppeals@ed.gov.

If, following your request for assistance and guidance from the Department staff, you still have questions or the need for further assistance, AACS stands ready to provide you with support in any way that we can.