Grants + Scholarships

Below you will find a selection of scholarship opportunities related to geology, gemology, and jewelry design. Be sure to verify application requirements, deadlines, and links as these details can change. The links below will direct you away from our website. Please direct any questions you may have about these opportunities to the organizations themselves as they will be able to answer those questions best. Good luck!!

Would you like to add a grant or scholarship opportunity to this list? Please send us details on the opportunity at Hello@GemSurprise.com and we will review your suggestion.

Gemology & Jewelry Design

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) (Scholarships)

  • Award Range: $250 - Full Tuition

  • General Eligibility: Open to all.

  • Eligible Programs: All gemology, jewelry design, manufacturing, and lab courses.

  • Link to programs: https://www.gia.edu/gem-education/overview

  • Link to scholarship application: https://www.gia.edu/gem-education-financial-aid

Women’s Jewelry Association (WJA) (Grants) (Scholarships)

  • Award Range: $500 - $17,000 (student scholarships range from $1,000 - $7,000)

  • General Eligibility: WJA Scholarships are open to all female identifying individuals, WJA Grants are exclusively for active members.

  • Eligible Programs: All programs related to gemology or jewelry industries.

  • Link to grant and scholarship application: https://www.womensjewelryassociation.com/grantscholarships

Black In Jewelry Coalition (BIJC) (Grants) (Scholarships)

  • Award Range: Varies

  • General Eligibility: Varies, see link below for more details.

  • Eligible Programs: GIA Courses and more. See link below for more details.

  • Link to grant and scholarship application: https://blackinjewelry.org/scholarships/

Geology

United States Geological Survey (USGS) (Grants) (Field Opportunities)

  • Award Range: Varies

  • General Eligibility: Open to all current and future undergraduate and graduate students.

  • Eligible Programs: See link below for more details.

  • Link to scholarship application: https://www.usgs.gov/youth-and-education-in-science/college-and-grad-students

Notes For Success:

  • There is no such thing as getting started too early when it comes to grants or scholarships.

  • Many grants and scholarships go un-awarded because people do not apply so be the person who applies and wins!

  • Scholarships are typically geared towards current or future students.

  • Grants are usually offered for professional or entrepreneurial development.

  • Be aware of deadlines and give yourself time to complete each application.

  • Be sure to read and reread the application and be sure you are consciously and concisely answering the given questions.

  • Expect to do at least three revisions of your written application responses and reach out to the people around you to proof read your answers before submitting your application. We all make mistakes and two sets of eyes are always better than one.

  • If you already have your sights set on a specific school or program it is always a good idea to contact their financial aid office AND department counselor to see what kind of resources may be available to you. Often times department counselors can offer interesting insight and give you the best guidance for your personal academic journey.