GIA (Gemological Institute of America) will begin accepting applications for the current scholarship cycle on Feb. 1, 2018; applications are due by March 31, 2018. Applications are available at gia.edu/scholarships for the Institute’s Gemology and Jewelry Manufacturing Arts programs, courses and lab classes. 2018 is the first year for the Charles and Erna Leutwyler Memorial Scholarship, funded by a bequest of nearly $500,000 to GIA from the estate of alumni couple, Charles and Erna Leutwyler.

Over the course of eight years GIA has awarded more than $8 million in scholarships to more than 1,500 students globally. GIA offers on-campus and distance education (eLearning and lab classes) scholarships that applicants can apply for every calendar year. GIA scholarships, which total $2 million for 2018, align with the Institute’s goal of providing quality education to aspiring and current gem and jewelry trade professionals.

The Charles and Erna Leutwyler Memorial Scholarship, offered for the first time in this scholarship cycle, provides $18,000 toward the completion of an on-campus Graduate Gemologist, Graduate Jeweler or Jewelry Design & Technology program in the U.S. The scholarship is named in honor of Charles and Erna Leutwyler, GIA alumni who owned and operated a jewelry business in Austin, Texas for more than 20 years. A profile of the Leutwylers and their dedication to learning and giving can be found on GIA’s website https://www.gia.edu/gia-news-research/texas-jewelers-leave-legacy-learning-bestow-nearly-500k-scholarships.

“We are pleased that GIA can honor the Leutwylers, their dedication to learning and their spirit of giving through this memorial scholarship,” said Kathryn Kimmel, GIA senior vice president and chief marketing officer.

GIA scholarships are funded by the GIA Endowment Fund and several private donors, and are available for distance education eLearning courses and for classes at the Institute’s campuses in Bangkok, Carlsbad, Hong Kong, London, Mumbai, New York and Taiwan; and at the education location in Dubai.