Financial Assistance for Distance Education

While Federal financial aid is not available for Distance Education students, GIA administered scholarships are. GIA now offers scholarships during two application periods each year. Applications received between March 1 and April 30 will be considered for scholarships that can be applied toward the tuition and fees for GIA Distance Education eLearning programs and courses or lab classes that take place during the current calendar year. Applications received between June 15 and October 30 will be considered for scholarships that can be applied toward the tuition and fees for GIA on campus or eLearning programs and courses or lab classes with start dates for the upcoming calendar year.

Payment Plans
There are affordable no-interest payment plans for most of GIA’s Distance Education gemology courses. Please refer to the fee schedule or course descriptions for details. (Payment plans are not available for Lab Classes or On Campus programs.)

Scholarships - – Please read the details for each scholarship to learn more about stipulations and awards.

Applications for scholarship awards that can be applied toward programs, courses, and Lab classes in the upcoming calendar year (2013) will be accepted June 15 through October 30.

Applications for the June 15 scholarship period will be available on June 15.

Absolute Brilliance Scholarship

Award amount: $1,000
One scholarship available for Distance Education eLearning Diamond Essential or Graduate Diamonds Diploma courses.

ColorMasters Scholarship

Award maximum: $450
Three scholarships available for the Distance Education eLearning Accredited Jewelry Professional (AJP) diploma program. Preference will be given to applicants employed by a jewelry store that carries ColorMasters products.

George W. Juno Memorial Scholarship
Award maximum: $1,000
One scholarship available for Distance Education eLearning gemology courses.

GIA Scholarship – Distance Education eLearning
Award maximum: $1,500
Multiple scholarships available for any Distance Education eLearning course. Applicants must reside in the United States.

GIA Scholarship – Lab Classes (Carlsbad and New York location only)
Award maximum: $1,295
Multiple scholarships available for Lab Classes. Applicants must reside in the United States.

Irving Getz Scholarship
Award maximum: $2,000
One scholarship available for any Distance Education eLearning course, program, or Lab class (Carlsbad and New York location only).

Jewelers of America Scholarships
Jewelers of America (JA) has scholarships available for GIA Distance Education eLearning courses for JA members and their employees. Applicants must be at least 18 years old; have at least one year of experience working at a JA member store or two years working in the jewelry industry; and not already be enrolled in another GIA Distance Education eLearning course. For more information, visit the JA website

Mikimoto Scholarship
Award maximum: $750
Four scholarships available for the Distance Education eLearning Graduate Pearls Diploma program.

Morris Hanauer Scholarship
Award maximum: $600
One scholarship available for any Distance Education eLearning gemology course.

New Hampshire Jewelers Association Scholarship
Award maximum: $1,000
One scholarship available for any Distance Education eLearning course, program, or Lab class(Carlsbad and New York location only). Applicants must reside in New Hampshire.

North Texas GIA Alumni Association Scholarship
Award maximum: $1,500
One scholarship available for any on campus or Distance Education eLearning course, program, or Lab class. Preference will be given to applicants who reside within the following Texas zip codes: 75000-75799, 76000-76999, and 76900-79799.

NYSJA Scholarship
Award maximum: $1,000
One scholarship available for any Distance Education eLearning course, program, or Lab class(Carlsbad and New York location only).
Applicants must reside in Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York or Pennsylvania.

R. Harder Gallery Scholarship
Award maximum: $2,500
Two Distance Education eLearning scholarships available for the Graduate Gemologist (GG) program. Applicants must reside in the state of Wisconsin. Preference will be given to applicants who reside in the Fox Valley Region (zip codes 54911 - 54956).

Robert D. Wilburn Scholarship
Award maximum: $500
Three scholarships available for Distance Education eLearning classes for the Graduate Gemologist (GG) program. Restricted to students with a disability.

Wisconsin Jewelers Association Scholarship
Award maximum: $1,000
Three scholarships available for any Distance Education eLearning course or program. Applicants must be an employee of a Wisconsin Jewelers Association member store.