The Women’s Jewelry Association has announced its 2004 Annual Student Scholarship program for deserving women students enrolled in fine jewelry and watch design courses in the U.S. Scholarship awards start at $500 and are based on design renderings submitted by the students. The deadline for receipt of the application is May 1.

“This is WJA’s 20th year providing support to talented women students who are either in our industry or looking to enter it,” said Gillian Schultz, WJA’s Scholarship Chair. “We are very proud to encourage new talent by facilitating their studies in fine jewelry and watch design, and we are very grateful to those companies and individuals who support this important Scholarship program,” said Schultz.

To enroll, a candidate must submit the following, as detailed in the application:

* WJA Scholarship Application form (found on its Web site: www.womensjewelry.org
* A short essay
* Three (3) slides of recent work
* Two (2) written references
* A self-addressed protective envelope with correct postage for return of slides

All applications should be mailed to Women’s Jewelry Association, Inc., Scholarship Committee, 373 Route 46 West, Building E, Suite 215, Fairfield, NJ 07004

Scholarships recipients will be selected by a panel of judges from the jewelry industry. Scholarships will be announced by July 2004.

A 2003 Scholarship recipient expressed the spirit of the WJA Scholarship Program. “Your financial support has given me a big boost in feeling that I’ve made the right decision to pursue my jewelry career,” said Barbara Buttler of Lincoln, MA, last year after receiving a $1,000 WJA Scholarship. “I look forward to the day I am able to give back to WJA.”

Scholarship funds are raised from the proceeds of WJA’s Silent Auction conducted at its annual Awards for Excellence gala during the summer JANY Show, as well as from the generous contributions of companies and individuals who support WJA’s mission, including: the June Herman Fund; David B. Rosenberg Scholarship Fund; Gumuchian Fils Ltd. Fund; Helene Fortunoff Fund; I.B. Goodman Anniversary Fund; M. Markman-Suberi Bros. Fund; Phyllis & Ira Bergman Fund; Samuel Aaron Co. Scholarship Fund; and Billie Sutter Fund.

JCK