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| The following JA 2008 Scholarship Application
Packet includes a description of the guidelines for eligibility, approved courses, co-payments, completion deadlines, other factors and the application forms for all of the educational providers. |
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| Scholarship Eligibility JA members and their employees may apply for Gemological Institute of America (GIA), Diamond Council of America (DCA), Jewelers Education Foundation (JEF), Gemmological Association of Great Britain (GEM-A) and Bench Jeweler Certification (BJC) scholarships; an applicant must: • be at least 18 years old • have at least one year’s experience working at a JA member store or two years’ experience working in the jewelry industry • not already be enrolled in another home study course from any of the educational providers. A student who previously received a scholarship and did not complete it within the required timeframe is not eligible for another scholarship for five years. To make sure scholarship funds are widely distributed among members, a member may submit as many employee applications as desired, but JA will award scholarships to only one person per store during the enrollment period from February 1 through September 30 each year. Depending on the availability of funds, JA may hold an “open enrollment” period during October and November, during which any member or employee of a JA member store will be able to apply for a scholarship. In all cases, an individual is limited to one scholarship award per year. |
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| Consideration in Awarding
Scholarships Financial Need We do not award scholarships based on financial need, but if two students are equally qualified, financial need will be a deciding factor. If you think financial need might be a factor, please include with the application a description of the situation and any supporting documentation. |
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| Application Requirements We accept scholarship applications from February 1 through September 30 each year. Each application should include the following material submitted in a single packet to JA: • JA Scholarship Application Form (in this packet) and must accompany the enrollment form. • BJC Enrollment Form and Proctor Proposal Form (if applying for funds toward a BJC program) • GIA Enrollment Form (if applying for funds toward a GIA Gemology or Business course) DCA, JEF, GEM-A Enrollment Forms (if applying for funds toward any of the DCA, JEF, GEM-A courses) • Co-payments from employer and applicant – Visa, Mastercard and American Express accepted, checks should be made payable to Jewelers of America • Letter of recommendation from the JA member sponsor on company letterhead (this is not required if the applicant is the store owner) Please send the packet to: Jewelers of America, Inc., ATTN: Scholarships, 52 Vanderbilt Avenue, 19th Floor, New York, NY 10017; or e-mail it to members@jewelers.org. |
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Approved Courses,
Their Costs and Co-payments
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| Reimbursement JA will also reimburse a JA Scholarship winner in the amount of $300 towards a GIA extension class. The applicant must apply for a JA Scholarship before taking the GIA extension class. It is up to the applicant to contact GIA for class dates, locations and fees. The name and dates of the class and the city where the course will be taken must be listed on or attached to the JA Scholarship application. A letter of recommendation from the JA member sponsor on company letterhead is required unless the applicant is the store owner. However, there are no co-payments needed. If the applicant wins the JA Scholarship, the winner is responsible for enrolling and paying GIA for the class. Upon completion of the class, the student must send copies of the certificate of attendance and the paid GIA invoice to JA for the reimbursement of $300. |
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| Cancellation of
the Scholarship In all cases except Diamond Council of America (see DCA enrollment form), when a JA Scholarship student leaves a member store and has started either a scholarship course or the test for JA Bench Jeweler Certification, the student has the option of keeping the JA Scholarship. However, if the student has not started the course or the test and does not wish to continue, the JA Scholarship will be canceled. The copayment from the employer will be reimbursed and the student’s co-payment will be reimbursed provided all materials received are returned to the educational providers or to JA. |
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| Extension Courses JA will also reimburse a JA Scholarship winner in the amount of
$300 towards a GIA extension class. The applicant must apply for
a JA Scholarship before taking the GIA extension class. It is up
to the applicant to contact GIA for class dates, locations and fees.
The name and dates of the class and the city where the course will
be taken must be listed on or attached to the JA Scholarship application.
A letter of recommendation from the JA member sponsor on company
letterhead is required unless the applicant is the store owner. | ||