Press Releases

GIA Creates High School Scholarship Program

The Institute offers more than $2 million in merit-based, needs-based and Veteran’s scholarships in 2024.

Published

1 year ago

March 1, 2024

Press Releases

(PRESS RELEASE) CARLSBAD, CA — GIA’s (Gemological Institute of America) Spring scholarship application cycle is open March 1-31, 2024. GIA is allocating up to $2 million in scholarships to support student tuition in 2024. Among the new initiatives introduced in this scholarship cycle is the GIA Aspire Scholarship.

“Receiving a scholarship let me take more risks after graduating. Since I didn’t have a mountain of student debt, I was free to explore all sorts of interesting opportunities” said Chris James T. Boehner, GIA Graduate Gemologist (GG) and 2020 scholarship recipient. “It also helped me fast-track my education, because I no longer needed to save for tuition. I started my GG program two months after receiving my scholarship!”

The GIA Aspire Scholarship program is specifically designed for graduating high school seniors or recent alumni from four San Diego County high schools: Steele Canyon High School, Rancho Buena Vista High School, Alta Vista High School, and Health Sciences High and Middle College.

“We believe that investing in the education of aspiring professionals is key to the continued growth and success of the gem and jewelry industry,” Robyn Burrell, GIA director of financial aid. “By providing opportunities for students to pursue their passion, we aim to create a diverse and skilled workforce that will shape the future of our industry.”

Up to $100,000 in scholarships will be allocated for the GIA Aspire Scholarship. Recipients may receive partial or full scholarships for any On-Campus program starting between July and December 2024 at the GIA Carlsbad campus, ranging from 7 to 26 instructional weeks.

GIA’s scholarship offerings extend beyond the GIA Aspire Scholarship, including needs-based scholarships and Veteran’s scholarships. Need-based scholarships are accessible year-round for prospective U.S. students and require a completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

For more information about GIA’s scholarship opportunities and application process, visit here. The fall application cycle is from September 1-30, 2024.

Four Decades of Excellence: How Wilkerson Transformed a Jeweler's Retirement into Celebration

After 45 years serving the Milwaukee community, Treiber & Straub Jewelers owner Michael Straub faced a significant life transition. At 75, the veteran jeweler made a personal decision many business owners understand: "I think it's time. I want to enjoy my wife with my grandchildren for the next 10, 15 years." Wilkerson's expertise transformed this major business transition into an extraordinary success. Their comprehensive approach to managing the going-out-of-business sale created unprecedented customer response—with lines forming outside the store and limits on how many shoppers could enter at once due to fire safety regulations. The results exceeded all expectations. "Wilkerson did a phenomenal job," Straub enthuses. "They were there for you through the whole thing, helped you with promoting it, helping you on day-to-day business. I can't speak enough for how well they did." The partnership didn't just facilitate a business closing; it created a celebratory finale to decades of service while allowing Straub to confidently step into his well-earned retirement.