Days after a Dallas barber school abruptly closed its doors and told students they could attend another school at no additional cost, another barber school tells NBC 5 that no such agreement has been reached. spoke.
NBC 5 first reported Tuesday that the Blade Craft Barber Academy on Main Street in Deep Ellum closed permanently the day before.
Blade Craft business records obtained by NBC 5 show that the school owes students at least $177,600 in refunds under its tuition refund policy.
Abi McMahan wanted to become a barber and was recommended to the Blade Craft Barber Academy.
The school's website shows it is run by Lily Benitez, the leader of the Deep Ellum Community Foundation Association, a nonprofit that provides discounted services to veterans.
McMahan said she was offered $13,000 in discounted tuition and hairdressing equipment if she paid in advance.
“So, that's what me and my family decided to do,” McMahan said. “So I paid the entire amount in cash.”
McMahan said Bladecraft informed students over the weekend that the school would be temporarily closed for maintenance.
Then came the shock.
“I received an email on Monday saying the school would be permanently closed,” McMahan said.
Students told NBC 5 they received an email from Benitez announcing the school closure.
“I was definitely shocked. I thought, oh, wow,” McMahan said. “What I was worried about was how I was going to finally get my barber license. I have to find a new school.”
In an email, Benitez wrote, “I secured a referral for you all at Texas Faddes Barber School… who graciously provided hospitality and honored the balance I paid into the program.” .
“He told us that he had no agreement with her, that he was not going to take in any students for free,” McMahan said.
The owner of the Texas Fades spoke with NBC 5 by phone Thursday. The man said he never agreed to enroll Bladecraft students because of the tuition he had already paid to Bladecraft.
An Instagram message provided to NBC 5 by the Texas Fadez owner revealed that Benitez reached out to him about an “opportunity” on Saturday.
He said he expressed a desire to help, but not while Bladecraft maintained student tuition.
He shared a follow-up email he wrote to Benitez, writing: Can I get a refund for the remaining time? ”
He received a text message from Mr. Benitez saying, “As the company is dissolving, there are no refunds or returns.''
“I think she should give refunds to the students who need them and at least make some kind of statement and give some kind of explanation as to what happened and what happened,” McMahan said.
Students sent NBC 5 a copy of the Blade Craft student handbook.
It states a refund policy that states, “If the school permanently closes and instruction is no longer provided after the student enrolls, the student is entitled to a prorated refund.”
NBC 5 obtained business records from Blade Craft showing the school's enrollment and tuition fees paid by students at the time of the closure.
Under the refund policy, Blade Craft Barber Academy will owe at least $177,600 in refunds to students who paid full tuition before the school closed.
Additionally, multiple students said they each paid $2,475 for a kit of barber tools, and when they asked Benitez if they could pick up those tools, she emailed: “We are unable to enter the premises. ” he is said to have replied.
On Tuesday, NBC 5 interviewed Benitez about the alleged agreement with Texas Fadez and said he is working to find a solution to refund some students within 90 days.
“My focus right now is to have our currently enrolled students report their hours to state officials, because we want all of our students to receive credit for their hours.” Benitez said in a statement.
NBC 5 reached out to her again today and received a message from Texas Fades stating that they do not agree to accept students for free and that bladecraft students she sent to Texas Fades will not receive refunds. I asked for a response to the message. No reply.
The Texas Department of Licensing and Registration is offering refunds to students who believe they are owed tuition refunds following cosmetology schools' closures.
The link to apply for a refund can be found here.