IMPORTANT REMINDER – 7 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.

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!

AACS staff and board members visited the Farouk Systems, Inc., headquarters in Houston, Texas, last week. CHI Schools Director Dixie Sabedra and her team hosted our Executive Board Meeting and showed us what southern hospitality is all about. We were able to tour both of their facilities seeing where all the magic happens from media productions, new innovations, manufacturing and education. The ability for Farouk Systems, Inc., to keep as many of their processes based in the U.S. and the level of commitment exhibited in maintaining high environmental and ethical standards was truly inspiring. Dr. Farouk Shami himself took the time to share his story of how he entered the industry and his vision for the future both in new product concepts and educational advancements. AACS is grateful to grow in partnership with the Farouk team to help deliver on the mission of our association and to strengthen the beauty and wellness industry as a whole. We look forward to another visit in the future!

 

 

The Beauty Changes Lives Foundation is honored to announce the debut of the Passion and Purpose scholarship, generously funded by Ratner Companies. True to its name, the scholarship celebrates the "passion and purpose" that define the careers of professional hairstylists.

Eight tuition scholarships will be awarded to cosmetology students annually. Four $3,125 tuition scholarships will be awarded in the spring and four additional $3,125 scholarships will be awarded in the fall. Applications for the Spring 2018 Passion and Purpose scholarship are being accepted thru March 12, 2018. The scholarship competition is open to new students who are less than halfway through their cosmetology program at an accredited school.

Click here to learn more about these and more scholarships available through Beauty Changes Lives and AACS.

Nebraska and South Dakota Bills Seek Reduced Hours for Cosmetology

Oklahoma State Senator Nathan Dahm (R-Tulsa) pre-filed a bill last week to abolish the State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering, and thus deregulate barbering, cosmetology, manicuring and esthetics in the Sooner State.  SB 1312 will be officially introduced when the legislature convenes their 2018 legislative session on February 5th.

Nebraska Senator Lou Ann Linehan, who once served as Chief of Staff to U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel, introduced LB 1107 last week in the state’s unicameral legislature. The bill proposes to reduce the course of instruction for cosmetology from 2,100 to 1,800 hours.

In South Dakota, the House voted 58 to 11 last week to pass HB 1026. As previously reported, the bill proposes to reduce the course of instruction for cosmetology from 2,100 hours to 1,500 hours.

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

Running a school is fraught with legal challenges. Schools are confronted daily with challenges in nearly every area of law from federal regulatory issues to employment claims. As part of the 2018 School Leaders Summit in Washington, D.C., spend a day with AACS’ Outside General Counsel, Edward Cramp, and a panel of experts from the Duane Morris law firm as they review a wide spectrum of legal challenges faced by school owners. The seminar will feature a robust and continuing question-and-answer session. Sponsored and presented by Duane Morris.

Monday, April 9 | 9:30am – 5:30pm. Additional registration required ($225).

Click here to register for the Summit and the Legal Workshop now.

 

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's been the best return on investment?
• 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. How are you staying connected?
• Retention – Strategies to keep students enrolled in your school. Share some of your best practices.

Click here to submit your application 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.