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

7 months 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.

You Wouldn’t Cut Your Own Hair. Why Run Your Own Retirement Sale?

After being in business for over a quarter of a century, Wayne Reid, owner of Wayne Jewelers in Wayne, Pennsylvania, decided it was time for a little “me time.” He says, “I’ve reached a point in my life where it’s time to slow down, enjoy a lot of things outside of the jewelry industry. It just seemed to be the right time.” He chose Wilkerson to handle his retirement sale because of their reputation and results. With financial goals exceeded, Reid says he made the right choice selecting Wilkerson to handle the sale. “They made every effort to push our jewelry to the forefront of the showcases,” he says, lauding Wilkerson for their finesse and expertise. Would he recommend them to other jewelers who want to make room for new merchandise, expand their business or like him, decide to call it a day? Absolutely he says, equating trying to do this kind of sale with cutting your own hair. “The results are going to happen but not as well as if you have a professional like Wilkerson do the job for you.”