JA Now Accepting Applications for New Bench Jeweler Scholarship
The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship will provide tuition assistance to two low-income students.
The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship is offered by the Holtzmans of Chicago’s C.D. Peacock in partnership with JA in an aim to bring new talent into the bench jeweler profession.
The scholarships are designed to provide tuition assistance to low-income students enrolled in an accredited bench jeweler or metalsmith education program between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31 of this year.
Applicants must provide proof of enrollment or acceptance in their program.
They must also be 18 years or older and based in the U.S.
All applicants will be required to submit a brief of their program of study, a reason for choosing the program, their professional goals, and images of three of their jewelry pieces.
Awards range from $2,000 to $5,000.
The application window opened May 1 on JA’s website and will close June 12.
The Jewelers of America Scholarship Review Board, which will be comprised of three JA staff members and two JA Board members, will review the applications and select three finalists based on the applicants’ need, essay, and jewelry examples.
The board will also determine scholarship dollar amounts for the finalists.
The three finalists will be sent to the Holtzman Review Committee, who will select the final two candidates.
The committee’s selections will be submitted to JA by July 1 and announced by July 23.
Winners must email their bill(s) to JA, as awards will be sent via check directly to the institution.
The JA Scholarship Program has also opened its application, which can be accessed on the JA website.
The program is designed to help those seeking to further their career development and jewelry education.
Awards can be used for certifications and programs from American Gem Society (AGS), Diamond Council of America (DCA), Gemological Institute of America (GIA), National Association of Jewelry Appraisers (NAJA), and the new JA Bench Professional Certification, which was relaunched last year following a reworking of the program.
The program is open to employees of JA member companies who are at least 18 years old and have at least one year of experience working at the member store.
Applicants must not be already enrolled in a home study course by any of the previously mentioned educational providers.
Scholarships are awarded based on the availability of funds through the deadline of Aug. 31.
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