(CARLSBAD, Calif.) – Beginning on March 1st and running through April 30th, prospective GIA students have the opportunity to apply for more than 125 scholarships, totaling more than $500,000, for the Institute’s Gemology and Jewelry Manufacturing Arts programs, courses and lab classes. Directions on how to apply online are available at www.gia.edu/gem-education-scholarship-instruction-information.
Since 2013, GIA has awarded more than $3.5 million in scholarships to nearly 1,000 students. Scholarships are funded by the GIA endowment fund and several private donors.
“The gem and jewelry industry is vibrant, global and diverse, and continues to evolve. By giving a financial boost to those seeking a gem and jewelry education, we can help usher in the next generation of trained professionals,” said Bev Hori, GIA’s senior vice president and chief learning officer. “GIA has educated more than 365,000 professionals worldwide, and we look forward to instructing even more and preparing them for a rewarding career.”
Scholarships are available for distance education eLearning courses and for classes at the Institute’s campuses in Bangkok, Carlsbad, Dubai, Hong Kong, London, Mumbai, New York and Taiwan. Applicants will be considered for all available awards – ranging from $500 to $22,000 – for on-campus and eLearning courses, programs or lab classes. 2016 scholarship highlights include:
- Two scholarships will be offered in honor of Richard T. Liddicoat, former GIA president called the “Father of Modern Gemology.” One full scholarship is for the on-campus Graduate Gemologist (GG) program and the other for the Distance Education GG program.
- Two scholarships will be offered in honor of Bert Krashes, former GIA vice president and member of the GIA Board of Governors. One full scholarship is for the on-campus GG program and the other for the Distance Education GG program.
- Two scholarships will be offered in honor of Eunice Miles, GIA’s first female gemologist often referred to as the “Grande Dame of Gemology.” One full scholarship is for the on-campus GG program and the other for the Distance Education GG program.
- The 2016 Tawfic Farah Memorial Scholarship will award full tuition for an on-campus student in Taiwan to pursue their GG diploma.
- The GIA Scholarship for U.S. Veterans will award scholarships of up to $1,500 each for Distance Education courses, programs or lab classes.
- Kara Ross, Tiffany & Co., and William Goldberg Diamond Co. will each offer a $10,000 scholarship toward a gemology course or program.
- Kazanjian will award two $10,000 scholarships for any gemology course or program. Preference is given to extremely high-need applicants with no family members in the jewelry business.
The next scholarship application period is from Aug. 1 through Sept. 30. For more information, visit GIA.edu/scholarships, call 760-603-4131 or e-mail scholarship@gia.edu.
