Cosmetology Operator

Tuition and fees. Cosmetology Operator 1000 Hour Course, per the catalog:

• Tuition: $14,075.00
• Application Fee (Non-Refundable): $50.00
• Registration Fee: $75.00
• Books: $250.00
• Kit: $1,500.00
• Other: $0.00
• Total Tuition and Fees (as printed): $13,025.00

The printed total does not add up. The catalog prints Total Tuition and Fees of $13,025.00 for this course, but its listed items add up to $15,950.00, and this course’s $50.00 application fee differs from the $25 application fee the same page describes being paid on enrollment day. Both figures are shown here; neither is chosen as the total.

Paying. On enrollment day the student pays the $25 application fee, the $75 registration fee, books, kit fee and other charges; after that, the student pays $250 on a monthly basis if not on financial aid or VA assistance (Chapter 33). Cash, credit, check and money order payments are accepted. Usually, at the end of the course there is a balance left that the student must pay off before completing the course. The tuition price does not include the written exam ($55) and practical exam ($77) fees paid to TDLR.

Federal financial aid. Mei Barber School offers Title IV (Pell and Direct Loans) to its students. To apply for financial aid, submit your application online at studentaid.gov, using federal school code 042962. To apply, a student must be at least 18 years old and have completed secondary school (high school diploma, GED, homeschool or foreign equivalent). Students who receive financial aid and complete the program earlier than the estimated time frame in their contract may have their financial aid package recalculated, which may result in the student and/or the institution owing money.

VA benefits. The institution offers Post 9/11 (Chapter 33) education benefits. To qualify, a student must have at least 90 days of aggregate active duty service after September 10, 2001, or an honorable discharge for disability after 30 days, and provide a Post 9/11 eligibility letter and their most recent military transcripts.

Scholarships. Mei Barber School offers a $3,512.50 scholarship on the Cosmetology Operator 1000 Hour course to immediate family members of its staff.

Cancellation and refunds. A student who cancels the enrollment agreement no later than midnight of the third day after signing it (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays) receives a full refund except the non-refundable application fee. After that, refunds follow the Texas barber school schedule: 90% of outstanding tuition for a withdrawal in the first week or first one-tenth of the course, 80% after that, 75% after the first three weeks up to 25% of the course, and 50% up to 50% of the course; the school may retain $100, and owes no further refund in the last 50% of the course. A refund owed is paid no later than 30 days after the student becomes eligible for it.

Career opportunities. Once a student graduates from Mei Barber School and obtains their Class A Barber License or Cosmetology Operator license, they will have several career opportunities, including freelance barber or stylist, beauty and barber supply salesperson, barber shop or salon owner, state inspector, and instructor.

Employment assistance. The school cannot guarantee employment after graduation, but makes every effort to establish contact between graduates and prospective employers. It receives numerous calls from employers wishing to hire its graduates, and those requests are kept on file in the school office for students. Some of the information taught during courses includes professionalism, resume development, interview preparation, and job search skills, whether graduates desire to work as employees or aspire to open their own barber shop.

Stylist wages, as the catalog reports them (2022). United States: 618,900 employed, mean hourly wage $16.77, mean annual wage $33,400. Texas: 7,767 employed, mean hourly wage $14.74, mean annual wage $30,655. Texas trend: 54,493 employed in 2022, 68,099 projected for 2030 (a change of 13,606, or 25%), with 8,014 average annual openings. Current figures are at the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and texaswages.com.

Grading. Academic and practical learning are evaluated after each unit of study, and both are counted toward course completion only when rated as satisfactory or better; a performance that does not meet satisfactory requirements is not counted and must be repeated. Students must maintain a written grade average of 70% and pass a final written and practical exam prior to graduation: 90-100 Excellent, 80-89 Very Good, 70-79 Satisfactory, 69 and below Unsatisfactory.

Satisfactory progress. Students are required to attend a minimum of 75% of the hours possible on their attendance schedule. Progress is evaluated at the end of each evaluation period, and a student who falls short is placed on warning, then probation, before being determined not to be making satisfactory progress; a negative determination can be appealed within ten calendar days.

Attendance. Each student must clock in upon arrival and clock out upon leaving school, and no student is allowed to clock in or out for another student. Morning students have a 30-minute lunch break; if a student is working with a client at break time, the work is completed before the break. A student will be dropped after being absent for 10 consecutive days unless they notify the office. Theory is given 3 times per day and class assignments are scheduled daily.

Dress code. Students must be well groomed and dress professionally at all times. The uniform must be worn at all times during school hours, zipped or buttoned, and is purchased at the school; shoes must be clean, polished and closed toed, and beards and mustaches kept clean and neatly trimmed.

Support. Personal and academic advising is available, and each student may meet with the director for an evaluation or discussion of academic progress. Resource materials including study guides, online exams and reviews, and videos are maintained at the campus for student use.