Classroom Policy

Absence & Tardy Policy

1. If more than fifteen (15) minutes past start time, you are considered LATE. Any student coming in late will not be allowed to clock in for that entire day and will be required to leave the school without obtaining hours for that day. It is up to the student to coordinate with the assigned instructor to arrange make-up hours in order to maintain minimum program attendance requirements. (PER INSTRUCTOR DISCRETION)

2. For the purposes of program attendance, there is no distinction between types of absences. They are all counted towards attendance percent equally.

3. If you are going to be absent or late, you must contact your instructor. If, for any reason, you know that you will be late or tardy, it is your responsibility to have yourself marked off the appointment book.

4. If a student misses more than 14 days and does not return to the school on the 15th day, the student will be subject to termination with the dropped date as the last date attended.

Code of Ethics

1. Principle objective is to train qualified individuals to render the best possible service to patrons.  

2. Strives continuously to improve its operation in order to keep abreast with the ever-changing developments and new techniques in the cosmetology industry.  

3. Observes all rules and regulations issued by the State Board of Cosmetology and the Health Department.  

4. Encourages its instructors to keep current of the latest teaching methods by reading educational books, attending teacher refresher or advanced courses, workshops, trade schools, etc.  

5. Makes use of acceptable teaching techniques and training aids (such as textbooks, workshops, films, filmstrips, and other audio-visual aids) in order to advance and provide the best possible training for our students.  

6. Takes part in education conferences and regional meetings in order to advance the profession of the cosmetology industry.  

7. Purchases only the high-grade equipment, cosmetics, and supplies to be used in the instruction and training of its students.  

8. Maintains honest and fair relationships with its staff, students, patrons, the State Board, and other schools.  

9. Advertises truthfully, and makes honest representations to its students.  

10. Refrains from any advertisements or criticism that might reflect unfavorably on other schools or the cosmetology profession.  

 

11. Develops a strong network with more successful salons to ensure a greater opportunity for students in the search of a career.

Conduct and General Rules and Regulations

The following rules and regulations must be observed and obeyed in order for our school to operate in a professional and efficient manner:

1. Each student must have his/her own proper and sufficient equipment. No borrowing is allowed.

2. Any person found stealing will be dismissed from school immediately.

3. Kits are subject to inspection at any time. Non-professional equipment and products will be removed.

4. It is the responsibility of the student to keep their equipment and workstations clean, sanitized, and/or sterilized. The school furnishes most necessary supplies to keep areas clean.

5. It is illegal to perform services in unapproved locations and illegal to receive pay for services in these locations.

6. Students are not allowed to clock or sign anyone in or out other than themselves. Students violating this policy may be subject to immediate dismissal from school.

7. Students are not permitted in the Administration Office or the Instructors Office without permission. Students are permitted behind the reception desk and dispensary areas only while assigned to work these stations.

8. Gossip, dirty jokes, profane language, and dissension are not permitted.

9. Smoking, eating, drinking, or chewing gum will not be permitted on the clinic floor.

10. Absolutely no intoxicating substances will be allowed on the premises. Anyone found to be on behavioral or mind-altering substances will be dismissed immediately.

11. Poor attitudes, moods, illnesses, etc., are to be left at the door when you arrive for school. You are more than welcome to pick them up again at the end of the day.

12. Solicitation is not permitted in the school or on the school grounds.

13. Students must work diligently in all aspects of instruction.

14. Any student refusing to service a customer, or less than anxious to perform the service, will be subject to strong disciplinary action. Refusal may constitute dismissal from the school.

15. Students should not have discussions with each other while servicing a client.

16. Students having the ability to speak in any languages other than English will not be permitted to speak these languages on the clinic floor. Courses are taught in ENGLISH.

17. Students are not permitted to do their own hair. Fellow students need these hours too!

18. The student agrees that the school reserves the right to modify, amend, or supplement the catalog or any other notices furnished to the student. The student agrees to comply with the rules and regulations of the school. Failure to comply with the school rules and regulations may result in termination by the school.

Dress Code (Uniforms)

Students must wear black, tan, white, or khaki pants (no shorts or miniskirts) with a smock or lab jacket (nail technician & esthetician students).

Students must wear closed-toe shoes at all times.

Professional hair and make-up are required.

No hats, scarves, or any other head dressing unless it is for religious reasons, which should be addressed with your instructor by the first day of class.

Student Responsibilities

It is a student’s responsibility to:

Review and consider all information about a school’s program before you enroll.

Carefully read and understand all forms that you are asked to sign and keep copies of them.

Accept responsibility for all agreements that you sign.

Understand and comply with your school’s refund procedures.

Follow your assigned or chosen schedule on a weekly basis.

Keep up with what course you will be transitioning into based on your schedule and group assignments.

Make-Up Policy

You must make arrangements with your instructor to make up any missed hours or examinations. Each program has a built-in single day per week timeframe for any make-up hours (subject to change depending on program instructor availability). Although not commonly utilized, it is also possible for a student to make up missed hours/assignments on school holidays with prior consent of the school and the instructor.

Withdrawal Policy

All students who wish to withdraw must notify their instructor and the school administration staff in writing in order to appropriately process the withdrawal. In the event a student withdraws from the school, the school will hold their hours for return for a maximum of thirty-six (36) months. After this period, if the student returns, the student must start the program from the beginning.

Advising/Counseling

All students are encouraged to seek assistance from their instructors or other appropriate staff members concerning their classes, or other problems that affect the student’s attendance at school, including but not limited to: school personnel issues, issues between other students, and personal issues.

Student Grievance Policy

The school will make every attempt to resolve any complaint that is not frivolous or without merit. Complaint procedures are discussed in orientation, thereby assuring all students know the steps to follow should they desire to register a complaint at any time. All confidentiality in personnel complaints shall be reserved. The school will react promptly to any student complaints in order to maintain quality, value, and a conflict-free environment in our school. Evidence of final resolution of all complaints will be retained in school files.

1. The complaint must be made in writing, and any supporting documentation must be submitted within 60 days of the subject of the grievance occurring.

2. The complaint will be reviewed by management, and a response will be sent in writing to the complainant within 30 days. Interviews may be necessary, depending on the nature of the complaint.

3. If the complaint is of such a nature that it cannot be resolved by management, it can be referred to an appropriate agency if applicable. The complainant must exhaust the internal complaint process before submitting to a regulatory agency, as applicable.

Equipment

Students are issued equipment and supplies. It is the student’s responsibility to sanitize equipment and make sure it is in good working order. If any equipment is lost or damaged, it is the student’s responsibility to repair damaged items or purchase lost items.

Visitors

Visitors are allowed on a limited basis. Administration must pre-approve all visitors.

Lost and Found

Any items found are to be turned into the instructor’s office. Students may contact an instructor to inquire about and claim lost property. It is NOT the school’s responsibility if personal items (i.e., clothing, purses, wallets, etc.) are lost or stolen on school premises. We will do what we can within reasonable limits to help the student in recovering such items.

School Vacation Schedule

Dates and Holidays 2024

Date Range	Holiday
January 1-2, 2024 January 15, 2024 February 19, 2024 March 29, 2024 April 1-12, 2024 May 27, 2024 July 4, 2024 September 2, 2024 September 30 – October 11, 2024 November 5, 2024 November 27-29, 2024 December 23 – January 3, 2025	Winter Break MLK Day Presidents’ Day Good Friday Spring Break Memorial Day Independence Day Labor Day Fall Break Election Day Thanksgiving Break Winter Break

**We will only follow the Aiken County School District weather advisory. It is the student’s responsibility to check with Aiken School of Cosmetology & Barbering.**

Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy

Satisfactory progress in attendance and academic work is a requirement for all students enrolled in any program and for any particular category of attendance (part-time/full-time). This policy is provided prior to enrollment to ensure applicants understand all requirements.

1. Maximum Course Completion Time Frame

All courses must be completed within one hundred and twenty percent of the published course length (120% program maximum). Should a student exceed the maximum time frame, he or she will be allowed to continue in the program, but over-contract fees of $10.00 per hour will continue to accrue beyond the original or amended contract graduation date.

2. Determination of Progress

Students will be evaluated and provided written evaluations of cumulative attendance and academic status when they reach certain actual clock hours as follows:

Program	Report Hours
Cosmetology & Master Hair Care	450 900 1200 1500
Instructor Training	375 750
Nail Technician	150 300
Esthetician	225 450

The evaluations will show actual hours versus scheduled hours and will be completed within seven (7) days of the student reaching the above hour checkpoints. Students only have to sign the formal progress evaluations when and if they are below the progress standards (academic or attendance). Students must be evaluated at least by the midpoint of the course or the midpoint of the academic year, whichever occurs sooner. In addition, each student must maintain a cumulative 70% rate of attendance.

 

3. Academic Progress Evaluations

 Student Academic Progress (i.e., evaluation on theory, practical, and clinical work; however, clinical work is graded on a pass/fail basis only and will not be considered as part of the overall GPA) will be evaluated during the same time periods as stated above in the “Attendance Progress Evaluations.” Each student is expected to achieve a minimum grade point average of 75% (80% for VA students). 

The grading system shall be: 

100-90% A (Excellent)

89.9-80% B (Above Average)

79.9-75% C (Satisfactory)

74.9-0% D (Failing).

4. Student Status

Satisfactory Academic Progress: Students who meet the standard for both attendance and academic evaluation period shall be considered to be making Satisfactory Academic Progress until the next scheduled evaluation. To meet the requirement for satisfactory academic progress, each student must have a cumulative GPA of 75%, as well as maintain a cumulative attendance rate of 70% of scheduled clock hours.

Warning and Probation: Students who fail to meet one or both of the evaluation requirements (Attendance or Academic) shall be placed on a warning until the next evaluation period. If a student fails to meet one or both of the evaluation requirements (Attendance or Academic) after the warning period, he or she will be placed on probation if the student prevails upon appeal of a negative progress determination prior to being placed on probation (see appeal information below). The school may allow for the status of probation if the institution determines that satisfactory academic progress standards can be met by the end of the subsequent evaluation period. If a student determines this is an inappropriate action based on personal circumstances, he or she may submit an appeal as stipulated in Item 6 below. A student can re-establish progress status by meeting the minimum attendance and/or academic minimum requirements.

Withdrawals: Academic Progress achieved will not be adversely affected by withdrawals. Students re-entering their program will return in the same SAP status as when they left.

Re-entry: If a student would like to re-enroll before ninety (90) days after voluntary withdrawal or termination, then he or she would be subject to previously contracted tuition rates (which will be prorated) and other fees. Before a student can be considered for re-entry, all previous balances due to the school must be paid in full and made current based on the percent of program completed prior to the withdrawal or termination. If a student decides to return from a voluntary withdrawal or termination after ninety (90) days, the student will be subject to any new tuition rates enacted by the school since the student withdrew. The student will return in the same satisfactory academic progress status as before withdrawal/termination.

Transfer: Transfer hours from another institution that are accepted toward the student’s educational program are counted as both attempted and completed hours for the purpose of determining when the allowable maximum time-frame has been exhausted. SAP evaluation periods will be based on actual contracted hours at the institution.

5. Appeal Process

Students may appeal a satisfactory academic progress determination. The appeal must be in writing and directed to the school director, along with any supporting documentation as to why the student failed to meet SAP requirements in the specified period. Submitted documentation must also include a statement signed by the student as to why the student failed to make satisfactory academic progress and what has changed in the student’s situation that will allow the achievement of satisfactory academic progress by meeting the cumulative academic and/or attendance requirements by the next evaluation.

 

Mitigated Circumstances: If it is determined and documented that a student's failure to demonstrate satisfactory progress was due to personal illness, death of a family member (immediate relation), emotional trauma, etc., the appeal will be accepted and the student will be on probation, if applicable. The institution may allow for probationary status if it is determined that the student will meet SAP requirements by the end of the probationary period. If at the end of the probationary period, if the student is still not meeting Satisfactory Progress, the student is allowed to continue the program but is notified that the over-contract fees continue to accrue. The student is no longer eligible for any applicable funding (school not eligible for Title IV), unless the student is on warning or has prevailed upon appeal of the determination that has resulted in the status or probation. A copy of the appeal and determination of the appeal will be placed in the student file.

6. Course Incompletes, Repetitions, Non-credit Remedial Courses

Course incompletes, repetitions, and non-credit remedial courses do not apply and have no effect on satisfactory academic progress.

I HAVE READ AND UNDERSTAND ALL OF THE STATED RULES AND REGULATIONS IN THE AIKEN SCHOOL OF COSMETOLOGY & BARBERING SCHOOL CATALOG. I ALSO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I HAVE RECEIVED A COPY AT THE TIME OF ENROLLMENT FOR MY OWN PURPOSES, AND WILL ABIDE BY THESE RULES AND REGULATIONS.

1. The student must make sure that his/her High School Diploma is translated to English if in another language. The South Carolina Board will not accept High School Diplomas in any other language. A state board-approved translation must be submitted to the school before the student’s start date.

2. Student lockers are for use only during the time the student is enrolled in the school. Once the student graduates or drops, the student has fourteen (14) days from his/her graduation/drop date to remove all items from the locker. After this period, anything left in the locker will be given away or thrown away.

3. The South Carolina Board also requires a $45 application fee to take the licensure at the time of application (price could vary).

4. The school will provide the initial SC Board “Eligibility Form for Approval” or Student Transcript free of charge. Any subsequent requests for the Approval Form or a Student Transcript will be for a charge of $100 per request.

5. Upon completion or withdrawal from the student’s program, the school will report the total number of the student’s completed hours to the SC Board of Cosmetology. The school sends a report of all student completed/withdrawn hours to-date to the SC Board before the 12th of every month.

6. Student agrees to allow the posting of student’s picture(s) on Facebook or other social media platforms taken on campus or at an official school-related event for the purposes of advertising the school, the classroom, and/or school social events.

Student Signature | Date

Please sign this form and return it to the admissions office. This form must be kept on file to acknowledge that you have read and agree to the policies and procedures outlined in the school catalog. 

The school reserves the right to update this catalog at any time during the student’s course of study.