New Age Spa Institute

It describes itself as founded, owned and operated by women, and its stated mission is to be a highly student-centric educational center.

Licensing programs include a 750-hour Esthetics Program, which can be completed full-time in about six months or part-time over 11 to 12 months on day, evening or weekend schedules. The 635-hour Clinical Massage Therapy Program is approved by the Illinois Board of Higher Education and licensed by IDFPR, and can be finished in 5 months full-time or 10 months part-time. The 350-hour Nail Technology Program runs part-time three evenings a week, Monday through Wednesday, or on a day and evening basis, with classes capped at 10 students. Professional Makeup Artistry and Eyelash Extension certifications are also offered, along with CIDESCO Beauty Therapy and a CIDESCO post graduate prep program.

Students start programs together rather than on a rolling basis, and there are no prerequisites or application fees. Tuition includes textbooks, handouts and a student kit, and the school says it charges no hidden fees. Students practice on outside clients in the school's professional skin care clinic after a few weeks of study. Classes are kept small and include guest speakers from business, medicine and technology. Educators teach in English, Spanish, Hungarian, Ukrainian and Polish, and the school offers support for students who want to develop and launch a business. Prospective students can request a no-obligation tour through an online form.

Continuing education is open to licensed professionals. Other options include online self-study courses, a sexual harassment prevention class and a Mastermind Breakfast event.

Financing options include scholarships, a 0% interest monthly payment plan through in-house financing, and a discount of up to $1,000 for students enrolling in more than one program. The school does not participate in Title IV federal aid or accept FAFSA funding, but it is approved to accept GI Bill benefits, works with some banks on personal loans for applicants with good credit, and notes that students receiving unemployment benefits may qualify for a Workforce Investment Act grant.

The school says its aim is a high level of education and the success of its graduates. Its programs pair classroom instruction with supervised practice on real clients and business guidance for graduates.