Cosmetology

Weekly schedule. Freshman training runs 35 hours a week for the first eight weeks, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Senior training also runs 35 hours a week, for about 44 more weeks, Tuesday through Saturday: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, with one late day to 8 p.m. on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday of the student's choosing.

Start dates. Cosmetology classes start on Mondays several times a year. The school's website lists starts from November 30, 2026 through October 2028; the November 30, 2026 and February 8, 2027 classes are full with waitlists, and April 19, 2027 has limited availability. Start dates are subject to change.

Attendance. Capitol asks students to treat attendance like a job and to keep a 95% attendance rate. An absence must be reported at least 30 minutes before the day's start time, and clocking in even one minute late means being sent home for the day. No more than 15 hours of absence are allowed during freshman training, and because Capitol is a clock-hour school every absence counts, whatever the reason. Students who do not finish within their contracted time pay $15 for each scheduled hour after the contract ends.

Holidays and leaves. The school closes for New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, a Thanksgiving break and a winter break around Christmas, and closes early on New Year's Eve. A leave of absence can be approved for medical, family, legal, military or financial reasons when requested in writing, and it extends the contract by the days taken.

Paying up front. The registration fee and part of the kit fee, a $1,000 enrollment deposit, are paid out of pocket to hold a seat, and financial aid can cover the rest for students who qualify. Capitol also offers interest-free tuition payments with qualified credit. A restart after withdrawing carries a $150 fee.

Financial aid. Capitol takes part in federal student aid programs, including Federal Pell Grants and William D. Ford Federal Direct Subsidized, Unsubsidized and Parent PLUS loans, for students who qualify through the FAFSA. Nebraska residents are reviewed automatically for the need-based Nebraska Opportunity Grant, and the school is approved for veterans' education benefits. Students borrowing for the first time see their first Direct Loan disbursement delayed 30 days.

Post-graduate awards. Capitol Premier (Cosmetology) and Capitol Elite students who meet the programmes' grade, attendance, service and retail sales goals earn a $500 post-graduate award. Elite graduates who also pass the state exam, keep 99% attendance and find work in the industry can earn a further award, paid over one to three years: $3,000, $5,000 or $10,000 for Cosmetology and $2,000 for Esthetics.

Cancellation and refunds. An applicant who is not accepted, or who cancels in writing within three business days of signing the enrollment agreement, gets back everything paid. Cancelling after that but before classes start refunds all money paid less the $150 registration fee. Once classes begin, the school keeps a share of tuition based on the scheduled time enrolled: 20% up to 4.9% of the programme, 30% to 9.9%, 40% to 14.9%, 45% to 24.9%, 70% to 49.9%, and all of it from 50% on. Students who withdraw are also charged a $150 administrative withdrawal fee, and refunds are paid within 45 days.

Licensure. The program prepares graduates for the Nebraska cosmetology license, which requires 1,800 hours of training. Capitol does not guarantee employment.

Building a clientele. The school says many Omaha salon owners are Capitol graduates. Because students are encouraged to build their own clientele in school, they can leave with regular clients and the business, marketing and retail skills to keep them.

The Omaha campus. Capitol's 12,849-square-foot main campus sits near the L Street exit off Interstate 80, on a private lot with parking for students, clients and staff, LED lighting and security cameras. The student salon has 14 shampoo bowls and 70 stainless-steel styling stations, and the student spa has 13 spa beds and a spray tan room. Students get a locker for personal items and kits, and the break room has microwaves, refrigerators, a water dispenser and vending, with places to eat within walking distance.

Additional Classroom Space. Freshman Cosmetology students start at Capitol's 1,300-square-foot Additional Classroom Space at 12100 West Center Road, Suite 108, within two miles of the main campus, renovated floor to ceiling in 2021.

A century in Omaha. Capitol has trained cosmetology students since 1923 and esthetics students since 1997, and its student salon and spa perform more than 25,000 services a year for a loyal clientele. The school is locally owned.

Student life. Students clock in and out on iPads at the front of the school and wear a name tag every day. Cosmetology students wear smocks over black or white tops, and esthetics students wear Capitol esthetics scrubs, with black pants and closed-toe shoes. Students can volunteer at Omaha Fashion Week, mentor at events and host prospective students who shadow for a day, and the school gives advance notice of weather closings through its student app.