Gemological Institute of America (GIA) is offering more than 125 scholarships totaling over $500,000 for its gemmology and jewellery manufacturing arts programs, courses and lab classes.
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.
GIA has awarded more than $3.5 million in scholarships to nearly 1000 students since 2013. Scholarships are funded by the GIA endowment fund and several private donors. The scholarship application period runs through April 30.
“The gem and jewellery industry is vibrant, global, and diverse, and continues to evolve,” said said Bev Hori, GIA’s senior vice-president and chief learning officer.
“By giving a financial boost to those seeking a gem and jewellery education, we can help usher in the next generation of trained professionals. GIA has educated more than 365,000 professionals worldwide, and we look forward to instructing even more and preparing them for a rewarding career.”
Highlights from the 2016 scholarships include:
- Two scholarships offered in honour of Richard T. Liddicoat, the former GIA president who is considered the ‘father of modern gemmology.’ One full scholarship is for the on-campus graduate gemologist (GG) program and another is for the distance-education GG program.
- Two scholarships offered in honour 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 is for the distance-education GG program.
- Two scholarships offered in honour of Eunice Miles, GIA’s first female gemmologist who is often referred to as the ‘grand dame of gemmology.’ One full scholarship is for the on-campus GG program and another is for the distance-education GG program.
- The 2016 Tawfic Farah Memorial Scholarship, awarding full tuition for an on-campus student in Taiwan to pursue their GG diploma.
- The GIA Scholarship for U.S. Veterans, awarding scholarships of up to $1500 each for distance-education courses, programs, or lab classes.
- Three $10,000 scholarships sponsored by Kara Ross, Tiffany & Co., and William Goldberg Diamond Co., offered in support of a gemmology course or program.
- Kazanjian, which awards two $10,000 scholarships for any gemmology course or program. Preference is given to extremely high-need applicants with no family members in the jewellery industry.
The next scholarship application period runs from Aug. 1 through Sept. 30. For more information, visit www.gia.edu/scholarships, call (760) 603-4131, or e-mail scholarship@gia.edu.
