On campus programs of six months or longer are eligible for student aid, including the Graduate Gemologist, Graduate Jeweler, and Applied Jewelry Arts diploma programs.

2. Q. I'm a Distance Education student. Can I apply for Federal grants and loans?

Distance Education courses do not qualify for any types of student grants or loans. However, if you are a U.S. Citizen or an U.S. Permanent Resident, you can apply for GIA Scholarships.

3. Q. How soon after I submit my financial aid application will I hear from GIA about my eligibility?

If you have completed all the required documents, such as the FAFSA form, the GIA Financial Aid Application, and any other requested documents, you should receive a Preliminary Eligibility Letter within six to eight weeks. This letter will outline your estimated financial aid eligibility should you choose to attend GIA.

4. Q. I am planning to enroll in an on campus program at GIA New York. How do I apply for financial aid?

You follow the same application process outlined in the Application Procedures section of this website.

5. Q. Will financial aid pay for my entire tuition as well as my living expenses?

Federal Student Aid Programs generally cover 40 - 50 % of the tuition. Many GIA on campus students borrow additional funds through either the Parent Loan Program (PLUS) if dependent, or through Private Alternative loans if independent to provide additional educational funds.

6. Q. If I borrow funds under the Federal Family Educational Loan Program (FFELP), i.e. Stafford loans, when do I have to begin to repay these funds?

Stafford loan repayments will start six months after you complete your GIA on campus educational program.

7. Q. What happens if I do not complete my educational program?

Under the Federal Return to Title IV funds policy, a formula is applied to the financial aid you have received to determine how much of it you get to keep to be applied towards your tuition charges. This formula is based on the amount of your educational program you have completed as a percentage of your entire program. Example: You have completed 12 weeks out of 26 weeks in your program. The amount of your aid that can be kept is 46.1% of the total aid you have received.

8. Q. I have been selected for Federal Verification. What does this mean and what do I have to do to take care of it?

The United States Department of Education selects approximately 33% of all the GIA financial aid students to go through a process called Verification. This means you have to verify the information you submitted on the FAFSA form when you applied for financial aid. You must verify certain items such as income for the tax year, or non-taxable income, household size, number in college, etc. Failure to complete the Verification process will result in the cancellation of all financial aid awarded to you.

9. Q. Can I use my financial aid funds for living expenses as well as tuition?

GIA policy requires all students to pay their tuition charges first. However, if you receive more financial aid funds than your tuition charges, you will be issued funds back to you during your educational program to help you with your living expenses.

10. Q. How do I receive my financial aid funds to pay for my educational expenses?

All financial aid funds, including all loan types, are disbursed electronically to GIA. We, in turn, disburse the funds electronically to your tuition account at least twice during your educational program. The first disbursement is usually 30 days after the start of your program, and the second disbursement is usually after the mid-point. If you are receiving more funds than your tuition charges, the Student Accounts Receivable Department will issue any excess funds back to you during the same disbursement schedule.

11. Q. I am eligible for Vocational rehabilitation funds. Can I use this money to help pay for my educational program at GIA?

It depends on the Rehabilitation Agency's guidelines and restrictions. Once you have worked out your eligibility with your agency, have the counselor contact the Office of Student Financial Assistance at (800) 421-7250, ext. 4175 to determine their eligibility with GIA.

12. Q. I am a veteran of the United States Armed Services. Can I use my GI Bill to attend GIA?

GI Bill can be used for on campus, full-time education only. GIA Distance Education courses are not eligible for GI Bill. To receive assistance in applying for GI Bill for your on campus education, please contact the  Department of Veterans Affairs.

13. Q. I have received a scholarship from an outside organization. Can I use it at GIA?

Yes you can. Have the organization send the scholarship check to the GIA Student Accounts Receivable Department, with a cover letter referring to you so that it can be applied to your tuition account.

14. Q. My employer has agreed to pay my tuition for my GIA course or program. How do they accomplish this?

Your employer can contact the Student Accounts Receivable Department for instructions on how to proceed.