Women's Jewelry Association 2021 Student Scholarship

The WJA Foundation awards up to $33,000 annually in student scholarships. The jury awards scholarships in three categories with multiple winners in each category, ranging from $1,000 to $7,000. One applicant will be selected as the recipient of the WJA-Gabriel Love Foundation Student Scholarship, a $5,000 award established in partnership with Gabriel & Co. to provide funding for students to achieve professional growth within the fine jewelry industry and in their communities. Consideration will be given to students who can articulate a desire to participate in charitable efforts or demonstrate how they will use their jewelry career to improve communities.

The Designer & Creator Category is for students in studio jewelry programs applying with finished pieces they designed and created themselves. The Designer Category is for students in jewelry design programs applying with designs (CAD or drawings) that are not finished pieces. The Non-Designer Category is essay-based for those studying to become bench jewelers, gemologists, appraisers, retailers, or watch makers.

For Designer & Creator and Designer categories, applicants must submit: a short essay (200 words maximum) explaining their career goals and aspirations in jewelry or watches; three digital images of recent work ranked by significance with brief descriptions including materials, size, and significance; and a completed entry form. For the Non-Designer Category, applicants must submit an essay of approximately 1,000 words (no more than 4,000 characters) addressing their program, motivation, qualifications, career goals, and how the jewelry industry will benefit from their scholarship; and a completed entry form. Entry fee is $10.00. WJA scholarships are open to female and female-identifying students only. All applications must be completed by applicants themselves, and applicants may be moved between categories if the jury deems it necessary.