The Gemological Institute of America is offering more than 65 scholarships valued at over $372,308. This includes $227,778 allotted to the scholarship fund by the GIA’s Board of Governors from interest earned through GIA’s permanently invested endowment fund.

Applications for scholarships from prospective students will be accepted through Oct. 15.

The Institute’s Board has apportioned $98,500 of the total amount for international scholarships, which are available to anyone who is not a citizen or permanent resident of the U.S. Applications for international scholarships were accepted for the first time in 2007 for the 2008 academic year and offered a chance to study through either Distance Education or on campus at GIA London or GIA India.

For the 2009 school year, a Graduate Gemologist diploma is available on campus at GIA Thailand for the 2009 school year

GIA scholarship applicants need to submit one application by Oct. 15 to be considered for all applicable scholarships.

Scholarship recipients are generally notified in early December and must accept their scholarship within 30 days of being notified. Due to the predetermined availability of scholarship funds, some conditions apply and eligibility for scholarships is limited to students who have not received a scholarship within the last five years.

To get more information about GIA scholarships or to download an application form, go to the GIA Web site on www.gia.edu/education where there’s a link to the scholarship section.

Scholarship information is also available by calling Wendy Wang at (760) 603-4175 or (800) 421-7250, ext. 4175, or e-mailing scholarship@gia.edu. 

To make a donation to GIA’s scholarship fund, contact Bev Berthoty, GIA’s Institute Relations manager, at bberthoty@gia.edu or (760) 603-4120 or (800) 421-7250, ext. 4120.

JCK