Scholarships & Member Grants


To empower both its female members and students in the jewelry, watch and related industries, The Women's Jewelry Association offers two types of educational financial aid- Student Scholarships and Member Grants.

Member Grants are awarded to WJA female Professional-level members in increments of $500 to be used toward professional growth. Recipients must be members in good standing- Student Members are not eligible for member grants are are encouranged to apply for WJA Scholarships. The 2012 WJA Member Grant Application is now available online by clicking here and is due by January 31, 2012. If you have any questions, please email Alexandra Hart, WJA National Grant Chairperson,  at info@alexandrahart.com

PLEASE BE SURE  TO READ THESE TERMS & CONDITIONS BEFORE APPLYING FOR A  WJA MEMBER GRANT

Each qualifying WJA member may submit only one Grant application in a one year period.

Qualified applicants will be awarded Member Grants through a random drawing by the WJA Member Grant Committee.

All applications will be reviewed by the WJA Member Grant Committee, which includes jewelry industry representatives from all around the country.

Student Members of the WJA are not eligible for Member Grants, and are instead encouraged to apply for WJA's Student Scholarships.

The Member Grant Committee reserves the right to disqualify any application that does not meet the requirement for current, paid-in-full, non-student, Active WJA Membership, is incomplete or, that is received after the submission date of January 31, 2012.

Grants will be for educational costs between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2012.

Following approved receipt of proof of payment for enrollment and/or materials purchased, checks will be sent to the WJA Member who has been awarded the Grant.

The decision of the WJA Member Grant Committee will be final.

"Funds for WJA Member Grants are raised in several ways", according to Alexandra Hart, chair of the WJA Grant Committee. "Funding comes from WJA's National Organization, WJA Chapters and from companies and individuals who generously support WJA's mission."

 

 

Student Scholarships, in varying amounts starting at $500 and as high as $7000, are available to female students (including WJA members) who are enrolled in fine jewelry and watch design courses with classes between August 1, 2012 and July 31, 2013.  In 2011, WJA awarded $19,300 in scholarships to ten students.

The application for 2012 is now available!

This year we are awarding scholarships in three different categories: 1. the Designer/Creator Category (based on images of finished pieces that are designed and created by the student) 2. the Designer Category (based on designs by the student, includes CAD and drawings) and 3. the Non-Designer Category (essay based for those studying to be a gemologist, appraiser, watch-maker, bench jeweler, or retailer)

Our application is completely on-line through www.callforentry.org. follow the link and fill out your application today.  Applications are due April 15th, 2012.  If you have any questions, please contact Lisa Slovis Mandel, WJA Scholarship Chairperson at lisa@lisaslovis.com. 

Student scholarships are paid directly to the institution.  Funding for these scholarships comes from WJA's National Organization, our Awards of Excellence Fundraiser, and companies and individuals such as Carelle, and the Marilyn DaSilva Fund who generously support this great cause.  If you would like to contribute to the WJA Scholarship Fund, please contact Lisa at lisa@lisaslovis.com or  Nicole Lichwick at nicole@womensjewelry.org

 

 

Scholarship Fund Board of Trustees:
President – Phyllis Bergman, Mercury Ring Corp
Vice-President (Development Chair) – Lita N. Asscher, Royal Asscher of America, Inc.
Secretary – Brenda Gamba, The Jewelers Board of Trade
Treasurer – Michael Kaplan, Rocket Red Box
Immediate Past President – Barbara Mooty, Mooty, Inc.
Scholarship Chair – Lisa Slovis Mandel, Lisa Slovis Metalsmithing
Silent Auction Chair – Krista Collins, Instore Magazine
Member Grant Chair – Alexandra Hart, Alexandra Hart: Metals artist-designer goldsmith
Kendra Bridel-Weinman, President, WJA
Yancy Weinrich, Immediate Past President, WJA
Helene Fortunoff

The Scholarship Jury consists of Lisa Slovis Mandel, Alexandra Hart and representatives of WJA from across the country representing all aspects of our field.