By Laura Simanton

GIA's Board of Governors released a record amount of funding from the Institute's Endowment Fund for 2008 scholarships, and made international scholarships available for the first time ever.

The $297,000 disbursement will fund 91 scholarships, including approximately 49 new scholarships in GIA's School of Business, Gemology and Jewelry Manufacturing Arts programs (both On Campus and Distance Education). A portion will be set aside for international Distance Education Gemology students and those who would like to enroll on campus at GIA London and GIA India. The Institute will also grow its scholarship program in the United States.

"I was extremely pleased to have unanimous support from our board in expanding our scholarship program to a record level," said Matt Stuller, chair of the Board of Governors' Endowment Committee. "Globalization, the complexity of our industry and an educated public make it imperative that we have skilled professionals in our industry. I am elated to see the GIA Endowment Fund paying dividends to the public and gem and jewelry professionals."

The endowed scholarships are furnished by the interest earned on the GIA Endowment Fund. The principal is never touched, meaning gifts to the fund guarantee that the Institute can fulfill its nonprofit mission in perpetuity.

Applications for 2008 scholarships can be submitted until Oct. 15. Application forms are available for download at www.gia.edu. To find out more, call (760) 603-4175 or e-mail financialaid@gia.edu.