GIA (Gemological Institute of America) will begin accepting scholarship applications online for its 2014 Gemology and Jewelry Manufacturing Arts programs, courses, and lab classes, from June 15. Applications will be available through October 31 on the Institute’s website.

Scholarships 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 GIA branch in Dubai.

There are various awards designated for international eLearning courses (up to $1,500) and for U.S.-based lab classes (up to $1,300). The scholarships, sponsored by private donors and the GIA endowment fund, supplement GIA’s wider scope of offerings. U.S. scholarship highlights include:

- The GIA Scholarship for U.S. Veterans will award three scholarships of up to $1,500 each

- GIA will award two full scholarships* of up to $17,850 each for the new on-campus Jewelry Design & Technology program

- GIA will award two full scholarships* of up to $21,089 each for the on-campus Graduate Gemologist program

- GIA will award one full scholarship* of up to $19,260 for the new on-campus Graduate Jeweler program

Two scholarships will be offered in honor of Richard T. Liddicoat, former GIA president considered the “Father of Modern Gemology.” There is one full scholarship for the on-campus Graduate Gemologist program (up to$21,089), and another toward the eLearning Graduate Gemologist program (up to $9,000).