SCOTTSDALE, AZ – Today, the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS) voiced strong support for Senator Lamar Alexander’s (R-TN) and Ranking Member Patty Murray’s (D-WA) bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the Higher Education Act.
“We support the Committee leaders’ efforts to work in a thoughtful and bipartisan fashion to ease burdens on students and parents, including efforts to streamline the FAFSA application process. Simply put, any reforms to the Higher Education Act should focus on ways to increase opportunity for students by expanding Pell eligibility, especially for students seeking short-term and career-focused programs. Pell should be inclusive and aim to provide the greatest opportunity to the students who need it the most, especially low-income students,” Kathy Chow, Executive Director of AACS said. “In any final bill, we would urge both the House and Senate to level the playing field, ensuring students are able to choose an educational institution that best fits their needs and receive the aid they need to attend that institution.”
“The cosmetology industry is also proud to provide educational and career opportunities for formerly incarcerated students, and we commend Committee leaders for working to expand federal-aid to these students, who deserve a second chance to pursue an education as they reintegrate to society,” concluded Chow.
The beauty industry employs over 1.2 million men and women nationwide. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the industry is expected to grow nearly twice as fast as the national average, by over 13% in the next few years. In 2016, the beauty industry generated more than $84 billion in revenue.
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