Nail Technology

Freshman training. Nail Technology freshman training lasts two weeks, Tuesday through Friday, 8:30 to 4:30, and students may not miss any time during those eight days.

Advanced training and clinic. After freshman training, hours are Monday 9 to 3 on a one-on, two-off rotation and Tuesday through Friday 8:30 to 4:30. Students may miss no more than 20% of scheduled advanced class hours in a term.

Starts. Nail Technology is offered once a year, and a class may be cancelled or delayed if fewer than six students enroll. The published program length is 14 weeks and 400 hours, with a maximum of 18 weeks and 500 scheduled hours.

Fees outside the total. A $50 application fee is due with the Enrollment Application and a $100 class deposit is due at least 30 days before class starts. Tuition paid by credit card carries a 2% service charge.

Paying for the program. Financial aid is not available for Nail Technology; Stewart School's federal aid covers its Cosmetology, Esthetics and Massage Therapy programs. Tuition is due one week before class starts, and students may pay in full or use Time Pay: 50% of the total program cost one week before class starts, and the remaining balance before the halfway point of the scheduled hours.

Cancellation and refunds. An applicant who is not accepted receives a full refund, including the application fee, and an applicant who withdraws by midnight of the third business day after orientation, signing the enrollment agreement, making a first payment or touring the school receives all money paid. Cancelling later but within the trial period refunds everything except the $50 application fee and $100 class deposit. After that, based on scheduled hours, the school keeps 20% of tuition from 3.51% of the program, 30% from 5%, 40% from 10%, 45% from 15%, 60% from 25%, and all tuition from 60%. Refunds are mailed within 30 days.

Other costs. For budgeting, the school's 2026-27 cost of attendance estimates a $120 licensure expense for nail technology, plus monthly living costs.

Careers. Graduates are prepared for entry-level work as nail technologists, manufacturer's representatives, sales consultants, nail salon owners and pedicurists.

Licensure. Nail Technology graduates take the South Dakota State Board exam at their own expense and must pass it to be licensed; to apply for a temporary license, a graduate provides the South Dakota Cosmetology Commission with proof of a job.

Placement assistance. Stewart School works with area salons to help students find employment: salon managers present to the student body every month, a job board is kept for students, and employment is discussed at evaluations, mentoring sessions and one-on-one with the Student Services Coordinator as graduation nears. The school does not guarantee placement.

Working in another state. Stewart School meets South Dakota's licensing requirements but either does not meet, or does not know whether it meets, any other state's, including Minnesota and Iowa, so students planning to work elsewhere should expect additional steps or training.

The campus. Stewart School has trained students in Sioux Falls since 1959. It sits at 604 N. West Avenue in a park-like setting next to Covell Lake, in a 15,799-square-foot, two-story building with a two-story open clinic floor, classrooms at the north end and a central student break room and lockers; no stairs are needed to reach the student areas.

Class size. Nail Technology classes are limited to ten students, and the clinic keeps at least one instructor for every 15 students, as the South Dakota Cosmetology Commission requires.

Student benefits. Students may earn free personal services within their scope of practice once a month, receive 30% off services and full-price retail products, and use high-speed internet at school. The kit includes an iPad with Milady CIMA, and classrooms use laptops, projectors, iPads and Chromebooks alongside a library of books, periodicals and DVDs.

Professional standards. Students wear black professional attire and black shoes, with the issued smock whenever they are scheduled in the clinic, and may be sent home without the kit items a class needs.