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.
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 considered the “Father of Modern Gemology.” One full scholarship is for the on-campus Graduate Gemologist (GG) program and another toward 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 another toward 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 another toward 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.