GIA: Education: Admissions Procedures

All applicants must be at least 18 years of age, and on campus and Distance Education applicants must meet the minimum education requirement of a high school diploma or GED. Distance Education applicants who do not meet these requirements
may request a waiver by sending a letter with their application explaining why they believe they will benefit from a GIA education. If you are under 18, your parent or guardian must sign your application. If you are under 18 and still in high school,
you must also supply a letter of approval from your parent or guardian and from your school
counselor, principal, or administrator. All waiver requests will be reviewed by the Admissions Committee. Applicants for the Bachelor of Business Administration degree should read the specific entry requirements in this section.

On campus applicants who are not US citizens must demonstrate English proficiency in at least one of these five ways:

Obtain a minimum score of 500 on the paper-based TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), 173 on the computer-based TOEFL, or 61 on the internet-based TOEFL (see page 73 of GIA's 2007 Education Catalog for more information), or
Obtain a score within Band 5 or higher on the IELTS test, or
Obtain a minimum grade of B on the Cambridge CAE exam, or
Submit proof of graduation from a secondary school (high school) or college/university
where English is the language of instruction, or
Submit proof of successful completion of the ELS Language Center Level 109 Course

In addition to the standard admissions requirements,applicants who have been convicted of a felony must also submit the following documents to be reviewed by the Admissions Committee:

An explanation of the circumstances surrounding the felony (when, where, why,
who) and an explanation of how a GIA education will support the applicant’s career
goals in the gem and jewelry industry
A copy of court documents stating the judgment, the sentence, and the probation terms (if relevant)
At least one character reference letter from a non-relative

Non-discrimination policy
GIA will make reasonable accommodations for qualified students with disabilities. Each of the various courses requires students to perform particular physical and mental ability tasks. Upon request, GIA will provide a list of examples of these tasks to allow individuals to evaluate their potential for success and their decision
to apply.

Students who will be requesting special accommodations are asked to do so following admission to the school and no later than 30 days prior to their start date. GIA will require appropriate documentation from a professional who is qualified in the testing and diagnosis of the disability.

GIA admits students of any race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, or national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students of the school. GIA does not discriminate in any of its policies or practices on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion,
or national and ethnic origin.

Our Admissions representatives are here to help you. Please feel free to contact them with any questions or concerns you may have. International students should refer to pages
72–73 of GIA's 2007 Education Catalog for additional requirements and consult our International Student Advisor.

Admissions requirements for the BBA Degree program
In addition to GIA’s general admissions policy above, applicants to the Bachelor of Business
(BBA) degree program must meet the following requirements:

Applicants must posses at least 90 quarter units (or 60 semester units) of transferable
college-level work to be eligible for full admission to the BBA program.
In order for credits to be transferable, the prior work must have been at other accredited
or recognized colleges, universities, or institutes. In the United States, the previously-
attended institution must have regional or national accreditation; outside
of the United States, the institution must be recognized and approved by that country’s Ministry of Education.
Courses with a grade of “C” or higher are eligible for transfer.
These 90 transferable quarter units must include at least 45 quarter units (30 semester
units) of general education courses and 18 quarter units (12 semester units) of introductory business courses in the following disciplines: Accounting, Management,
Marketing and Economics.
The general education requirements may be fulfilled by completion of an Associates or
higher level degree or by completion of at least 45 quarter units (30 semester units), with at least 4.5 quarter units (3.0 semester units) of course work in each of the following
disciplines: natural and physical sciences, social and behavioral studies, humanities
and fine arts, language and rationality (including English Composition and College
Algebra or their equivalents), and Business Communications or its equivalent.
The 18 quarter units of introductory business course may be taken at GIA. The courses
are: BUS 210 Principles of Management, BUS 220 Accounting Basics, BUS 230
Fundamentals of Marketing, and BUS 240 Principles of Economics.
If the introductory business courses are taken at GIA, an applicant may be eligible for
admission to the BBA program with a minimum of 72 quarter units (48 semester units)
of transferable prior college-level work, of which 10 quarter units (30 semester units)
must be general education courses.
The initial evaluation of transfer credit may be done on unofficial transcripts. In order to receive full admission to the program, a student must arrange for official transcripts to be sent directly to GIA from the college/university/institute previously attended. Official
transcripts must be received no later than the beginning of the student’s second term.
A maximum of 135 quarter units of credit earned may be accepted for transfer. The
final 45 quarter units toward the degree must be completed at GIA.
In general, the applicant must possess a combined cumulative grade point average of 2.00 (C) or better to be eligible for admission to the BBA program. The GIA Admissions Committee will make the final admissions decision.
International students are required to use an outside international credit evaluation service such as World Education Services (WES). Evaluation must be performed “course by
course” and received by GIA prior to official enrollment. Please contact WES directly
at www.wes.org for further information about their services.
The GIA Admissions Committee will evaluate an applicant’s transcripts and will make
the determination of all post-secondary transfer credits.

Admissions Procedure
After you have decided which course to enroll in, turn to the 2008 Application Guide at the back of GIA's 2008 Education Catalog and fill out the enrollment application or go online at to www.gia.edu/education. The Application Guide contains a schedule of student
charges with the information on tuition and other
fees for each course.

Send your completed application form, along with any required fees and documents, to GIA Admissions at the address listed on the forms. Your enrollment will be confirmed when GIA
receives all of the required fees and documents.

GIA will send you an accounting statement, showing all payments and any balance due. Certificates and diplomas are not awarded until all financial obligations are met. All classes are taught in English unless otherwise indicated. GIA does not offer English as a second language (ESL) instruction. GIA reserves the right to deny an application and cancel an enrollment at any time.

Financial Assistance
If you’re thinking of attending an on campus program at GIA, you owe it to yourself to find
out about financial aid. You will find complete information on how to apply for financial aid on our website at www.gia.edu.

If you are a US Citizen, hold a US Permanent Resident visa, or have a non-temporary US visa,
you may be eligible for student financial assistance to help pay for a portion of your on campus tuition or living expenses. There is no federal student financial aid available for Distance Education students. Federal financial assistance is currently available for the following on campus programs and may consist of scholarships, grants, or loans,depending upon eligibility:

• Graduate Gemologist (6 month program)
• Graduate Jeweler (6 month program)
• Applied Jewelry Arts (6 month program)

If you are a US Citizen, US Permanent Resident, or hold a non temporary US visa, you may apply for a limited number of GIA administered scholarships.

The scholarship application period begins in mid-June of each year. The scholarships are awarded for new on campus and Distance Education enrollments the following year. Current scholarships and a PDF application form are listed on our website at www.gia.edu/education
GIA also accepts outside sources of funding for our educational programs such as: vocational
rehabilitation, Veterans benefits (on campus programs only), or outside scholarships. We
will be happy to assist you in coordinating outside funding resources.

Rights and Responsibilities for Students Receiving Financial Aid
You have the right to know:
• How your financial need was determined
• How much of your financial need has been met
• The resources considered in determining your financial need
• The available financial aid programs and their exact requirements
• What portion of your aid is a grant, and what portion is a loan
• How much your interest rate on your loans is,how much you will have to repay, how much your monthly payment will be, the length of repayment and when repayment is to begin
• The cost of attending GIA and the refund policy of the Institute
• How the Institute determines whether you are making Satisfactory Academic Progress and what happens if you are not
• What happens if you withdraw, drop out, or are dismissed prior to completing yourprogram
• Who can give you further advice
• The procedures for re-applying for another eligible program

You have the following responsibilities:
• To carefully consider all the information provided regarding GIA’s programs and performance before attending
• To attend Entrance and Exit Interviews with the Office of Student Financial Assistance staff prior to beginning class and prior to graduation
• To complete all forms accurately and submit them to the right places by any deadlines.
Intentional misreporting of information on application forms for Federal financial aid is a violation of the law and is considered a criminal offense subject to penalties under the U.S. Criminal Code

Transfer Credits Policy
Except for the BBA degree program, GIA does not generally award academic credit for previous
educational training. GIA evaluates the previous education and training of all veterans and
eligible persons applying for veterans’ benefits. If credit is warranted, the course will be shortened and the Veterans Administration will be notified. Other academic institutions establish their own transfer credit policy, and may or may not award academic credit for completed GIA classes, courses, or programs.

Special Information for Distance Education Applicants
Student charges do not include required instruments for the Gem Identification course
(GEM240). The course description on page 68 lists the minimum instruments required. If you live outside the United States or Canada and enroll in the Gem Identification course, you must submit a refundable deposit to cover the value of the practice stones GIA lends to you. You are responsible for any duty or customs fees due on any materials shipped outside the US.

Special Information for On Campus Applicants
When your enrollment application has been accepted, GIA will send you a welcome packet.

Please review it carefully, as it contains important additional information that will help you make a smooth transition to the on campus environment.

GIA’s dedicated Student Services staff will help you feel at home. Whether you need assistance in finding housing, medical and banking services, or shopping and entertainment options, GIA advisors give you the one-on-one attention you deserve. See pages 84 and 85 of GIA's 2007 Education Catalog, and the Financial Assistance section on this page.

Clock hours are the number of on campus classroom hours scheduled for each course. One
classroom clock hour = 55 minutes. The clock hours for each course are shown in the course
descriptions. Total clock hours include scheduled holidays.

One quarter credit unit consists of at least 10 hours of classroom contact or 20 hours of supervised laboratory instruction; or 20 hours of independent study activity; or 30 hours of internship or work related experience.

The maximum allowable completion time for each on campus program, excluding any
approved leave of absence, is 1.5 times the normal length of the program. Information related to tuition and program length for comparable on campus courses is available from the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology, 2101 Wilson Blvd. Suite 302, Arlington VA 22201; telephone 703-247-4212.

Special Information for International Applicants

International students studying at a GIA campus in the United States will enjoy an exciting and rewarding experience. Most students easily make the transition to living in America, but it is your responsibility to be aware of certain rules and regulations which govern your stay in this country and pertain to your enrollment at GIA.

International students must have a valid M-1 student visa allowing them to attend GIA. GIA is authorized under federal law to enroll non-immigrant alien students. The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Form I-20/M/N must be used to obtain an M-1 student visa prior to entering the US GIA usually cannot enroll applicants who enter the US under a visa status other than M-1. Students currently in the US on another non-immigrant visa may be eligible to change their visa status to an M-I visa. If you believe that your current visa status might allow you to study at GIA, please contact GIA’s International Student Advisor to discuss your situation.

Students who need help with immigration matters should consult our International Student Advisor regarding documents, visa extensions, change of status requests, and practical training applications.English language school referrals and TOEFL, IELTS,
and Cambridge examination information is also available.

In addition to your enrollment application, GIA requires the following documents before we
can issue the I-20 form that you will use to apply for your M-1 visa. All documents sent to
the Admissions Office must be in English, or include an English-language translation.

1. A copy of the page in your passport that showsyour birth date, citizenship and country of
birth, or a copy of your birth certificate

2. A copy of your high school or college diploma (e.g., AA, BA, BS), or a transcript or its
equivalent showing your graduation date. If graduation documentation is not available,
please contact the Education Board in the country of your school and ask them to send
an affidavit proving graduation and date. Transcripts must be provided on official
school stationery.

3. An original official and current personal bank statement or an original letter from your bank showing that you have sufficient liquid assets to cover all tuition, instant recall if necessary,and living expenses. The document must be in English, and must show the specific denomination and currency of the available funds. Living expenses are estimated to be at least US$1,735 per month. Sufficient funds must also be available for additional household members who will accompany you; expenses are estimated at US$900 per month per
added person. If the bank statement is not from your personal bank, an original letter of financial support from the person whose bank statement is shown is needed. This letter
must have the sponsor’s name, their relationship to the student, the amount to be
sponsored and must include the sponsor’s signature and be dated.

4. Documentation of your English proficiency.
You can fulfill this requirement by obtaining satisfactory results on one of the following:
• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign
Language)
• IELTS (International English Language
Testing System) examination
• Cambridge CAE exam
• Successfully completing Level 109 at the ELS Language Centers

You may also demonstrate English proficiency by submitting proof of graduation from a secondary school or college in which English is the language of instruction.

The minimum score required on the TOEFL is 500 (paper based), 173 (computer based), or 61
(iBT/Next Generation TOEFL). The minimum score required on the IELTS is Band 5.0. TOEFL and IELTS scores are valid for two years from the date of the examination. Results must
be an original official score sent by TOEFL to GIA; copies and student results are not accepted.

TOEFL reports must show GIA’s institutional code of 9144. Please note that the Institutional TOEFL (ITP) does not meet GIA’s requirements. The TOEFL examination is available in over 80 countries. Information about this test may be obtained at any U.S. Embassy or Consulate, or by visiting the website at www.toefl.org.

The TOEFL iBT/Next Generation TOEFL test has been given in the United States since September 2005; other countries started giving it in October 2005. To find out when the test will be available in your country, visit the TOEFL website.

The IELTS examination is offered at least once every month through a network of over 200
examination offices in over 100 countries. Information about the test may be obtained by
visiting the website at www.ielts.org.

The minimum score required on the Cambridge CAE examis B; the examis offered through several test centers in more than 60 countries. Information about the Cambridge CAE exam may be obtained by visiting the website at www.cambridgeesol.org.

GIA also has Conditional Acceptance Agreements with two colleges in the San Diego area, San Diego State University and the University of California at San Diego.

Please contact GIA’s International Student Advisor if you need further information, or
visit the following websites: http://extension.ucsd.edu/department/ELP/programs/elp.html

After your on campus enrollment has been accepted, your I-20 will be sent to you within 10
days of your GIA admissions enrollment confirmation. GIA strongly advises you to apply for your visa immediately after you receive your I-20. The process can take at least 60 days. US Embassies and Consulates allow students to apply for their visas 120 days or less from the I-20 start date. If you have any questions regarding your student visa or the requirements for international student enrollments please contact the GIA International
Student Advisor on 1-800-421-7250 ext. 7302 (US and Canada) or 760-603-4000 ext. 7302 (outside the US and Canada).

The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) requires international students to pay a
$100 processing fee prior to receiving your M-1 visa. This Student and Exchange Visitor
Information System (SEVIS) fee can be paid electronically or by mail, and must be paid at
least three business days prior to your visa interview at the Consulate.

GIA will provide you with the payment information and the fee form with your I-20. You
must take your Form I-20/M/N and proof of your SEVIS fee payment to the nearest U.S.
Embassy or Consulate to apply for your visa. You must apply in person for the visa in your own country. Do not come to the United States until you have the I-20/M/N in hand and the visa M-1 stamp in your passport. Canadian citizens are exempt from this requirement and only need to present the I-20 Form and proof of your SEVIS fee payment at the U.S. port of entry.

U.S. immigration laws and requirements are currently undergoing review and scrutiny, and are subject to change. You can visit the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) website at www.ice.gov/sevis Information from the U.S. Department of State about studying in the U.S.A., living in the U.S.A and pre-departure: www.educationusa. state.gov International students are only allowed to remain in the U.S.A. in accordance with current immigration law and the time limits stated on their immigration documents.

Remember that GIA wants to help. Contact the GIA International Student Advisor on 800-421- 7250 ext. 7302 (US and Canada) or 760-603- 4000 ext. 7302 (outside the US and Canada).

Useful Web Sites for International Students
SEVIS and SEVIS fee information
www.ice.gov/sevis
www.fmjfee.com
US visa information
www.unitedstatesvisas.gov
US Consulates Worldwide
http://usembassy.state.gov