Student Consumer Information


Accreditation and Licencing
Information on GIA's accreditation and licencing is available on this page and can be found in the Education Catalogue.


ACCSC Graduation and Employment Rates
-Carlsbad Campus

-New York Campus


Annual Safety Report (ASR)
Keeping GIA campuses safe for our students, employees and visitors is one of our top priorities.Information about safety and security on campus, emergency response and evacuation procedures, and a disclosure of any crimes occurring on or near our campuses is published in . For additional information please contact us at studentconsumerinfo@gia.edu.

GIA’s Clery Report: Annual Disclosure of Campus Security Policies and Crime Statistics


California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education Annual Report
GIA is approved to operate in California by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE), and publishes its BPPE Annual Report on its website.

California BPPE Annual Report


California School Performance Fact Sheet
GIA publishes a California School Performance Fact Sheet for each approved course and programme on its website, as required by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE).

- California On Campus School Performance Fact Sheets:

- California Distance Education School Performance Fact Sheets:

- California Lab Class School Performance Fact Sheets:


Career Services
GIA's Career Services team can help you develop your career plans and prepare for your future in the gem and jewellery industry.Additional information can be found in the Education Catalogue.

To access the catalogues for other GIA school locations, please refer to our campuses and locations page.


Catalogue
GIA's Education Catalogue provides information about available programmes, costs, schedules, policies and more.

To access the catalogues for other GIA school locations, please refer to our campuses and locations page.


College Navigator
College Navigator provides national comparative information for universities, including costs, student demographics, student outcomes and other institutional information as published by the National Center for Education Statistics.


Constitution Day
Constitution Day is an American federal observance that recognises the adoption of the United States Constitution. All institutions receiving federal funding, including funding through the US Department of Education, are required to hold an educational programme pertaining to the United States Constitution on 17 September of each year (or in the preceding or following week if the date falls on a Saturday, Sunday or holiday). 

National Endowment for the Humanities Site


Copyright Infringement and P2P File Sharing Policy
GIA's policies prohibit the illegal downloading and/or sharing of copyrighted material, including web pages, peer-to-peer file sharing software and email.Additional information can be found in the Education Catalogue and details can be found in GIA's policy statement.


Cost of Attendance (COA)
Cost of attendance (COA) is total estimated expenses for a programme including tuition fees, housing, books, supplies, transportation, loan fees and miscellaneous expenses. The cost of attendance (COA) is used to determine each student's estimated eligibility for financial assistance.


Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC)
DEAC Student Achievement Disclosure for the Public


Drug and Alcohol Policy - Preventing Drug and Alcohol Abuse
GIA maintains strict policies regarding drug and alcohol abuse by our students and employees.GIA's comprehensive policy includes information about illegal drugs, addiction and local treatment providers.Additional information can be found in the Education Catalogue and Clery Report.


Emergency Communication and Notification System: Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications
In the event of an emergency, GIA will contact affected students by phone, text and email, and will provide additional information on the GIA website and on the GIA telephone answering system. Additional information can be found in the Clery Report: Annual Disclosure of Campus Security Policies and Crime Statistics and the Education Catalogue.

For additional information please contact us at studentconsumerinfo@gia.edu


 

Federal Entrance and Exit Counselling for Direct Student Loan Borrowers
Entrance Counselling is designed to inform students of the rights and responsibilities associated with being a student loan borrower. It is a federal requirement that students complete Entrance Counselling before Federal Direct Loan funds can be disbursed to their student account.

Exit counselling provides important information that students will need as they prepare to repay federal direct student loan(s). During exit counselling, students will review the terms and conditions applying to the federal student loans, be introduced to various repayment options and learn the importance of avoiding a default.


Financial Assistance and Scholarships
GIA’s Office of Student Financial Aid (OSFA) prepares and communicates information on financial aid: Veterans Affairs, VA benefits, state and local rehabilitation eligibility, GIA scholarships and outside scholarship opportunities to assist students and their families pay for futher education. There are several types of financial aid, including grants, scholarships and loans.  


Financial Aid Refunds/Return to Title IV (R2T4)
R2T4 refers to the calculation required when a recipient of Title IV aid withdraws from an institution during a payment period/period of enrolment in which the recipient began attendance.

 

Graduation Requirements
All students must meet specific requirements to graduate.Additional information can be found in the Education Catalogue.

To access the catalogues for other GIA school locations, please refer to our campuses and locations page.


Net price calculator
Net price calculators are available on the GIA website and allow prospective students to enter information about themselves to find out what students like them paid to attend the institution in the previous year, after taking grants and scholarship aid into account.


Non-discrimination Policy
It is GIA's policy not to engage in discrimination against or harassment of any student enrolled in, or seeking enrolment in GIA on the basis of race, colour, national origin, ethnicity, religion, gender, age, disability, medical condition, creed, pregnancy or parental status, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, caste, union membership, political affiliation, physical appearance, HIV status, or any other classification protected by applicable local, state or federal laws.All students have the rights and privileges to participate in programmes and activities generally accorded to or made available to all students of the school.Additional information can be found in the Education Catalogue.


Notification of Availability of Institutional & Financial Aid Information
The Notice is updated on an annual basis and made available to enrolled and prospective students and staff of GIA’s Carlsbad and New York campuses.

Annual Notice of Availability of Institutional & Financial Aid Information


Notice of Federal Student Financial Aid Penalties for Drug Law Violations
Students receiving federal financial aid are subject to specific restrictions if convicted of the possession or sale of illegal drugs while attending classes at GIA.Additional information can be found in the Education Catalogue.


Reasonable Accommodation - 504/ADA Compliance
GIA is committed to ensuring equal access to its programmes and activities for qualified individuals, including individuals with disabilities.GIA does not discriminate against individuals with disabilities seeking to apply to its programmes.GIA will make efforts to accommodate each prospective candidate with special requirements or needs by granting reasonable accommodations where appropriate. GIA will make reasonable, appropriate and effective modifications in policies, practices and procedures for qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with Section 504 of the US Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”), and applicable state and local laws.

GIA’s 504 Coordinator monitors and oversees the Institute’s efforts to comply with and carry out its responsibilities under Section 504 of the US Rehabilitation Act and related regulations.Students, applicants, instructors, administrators or others who participate in GIA’s education programmes and activities with questions or concerns related to the application of this policy or complaints about discrimination on the basis of a disability are encouraged to contact the 504 Coordinator.For questions or concerns related to reasonable accommodation, please contact GIA’s designated 504 Coordinator:

Vusala Aranjo
Director of Education
Compliance and Title IX & 504/ADA Coordinator
504coordinator@gia.edu
titleixcoordinator@gia.edu
varanjo@gia.edu

+1 760 603 4000 ext. 7776
The Robert Mouawad Campus
Mailstop #1
5345 Armada Drive
Carlsbad, California 92008 USA

For the New York campus, complaints or concerns relating to GIA’s 504 compliance should be submitted to the Deputy 504 Coordinator, who provides information and assistance to New York students.The Deputy 504 Coordinator effectively collaborates with and informs the 504 Coordinator immediately of the report relating to 504 compliance.This process ensures a prompt and appropriate response to the concern.  

Jennifer Kim
New York School Director, Deputy Title IX & 504 Coordinator
504coordinator@gia.edu
jkim@gia.edu
+1 212 944 5900, ext. 3662
Mailstop # 70
50 West 47th Street, Floor 8
New York, NY 10036 USA
+1 212 944 5900, ext. 3662

More information on requesting reasonable accommodation can be found in the Education Catalogue.


Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
GIA maintains high standards for academic performance, including separate standards for continuing eligibility for federal financial aid.Additional information can be found in the Education Catalogue.

To access the catalogues for other GIA school locations, please refer to our campuses and locations page.


Student Academic Calendar
Holidays and campus closure dates are detailed in the Education Catalogue.

To access the catalogues for other GIA school locations, please refer to our campuses and locations page.
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Student Code of Conduct
GIA students are expected to behave in a professional manner and to treat others with dignity and respect at all times.The complete Student Code of Conduct can be found in the Education Catalogue.

To access the catalogues for other GIA school locations, please refer to our campuses and locations page.


Student Complaints and Grievances
Student concerns and complaints should be addressed using the following policy and procedures. 

2022 Student Complaint Policy and Procedure

To access the catalogues for other GIA school locations, please refer to our campuses and locations page.


Student COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements
Student COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements


Student Diversity


Student Loan Code of Conduct
GIA has set forth this policy to codify and clarify our ethics standard with regard to education loan providers (lenders).

Student Loan Code of Conduct


Student Outcomes
GIA calculates student and graduate outcomes data as required by a variety of federal, state and accreditor requirements. This information is available by clicking on the links below, or you may request a copy from studentconsumerinfo@gia.edu.Additional information for Texas residents can be found in the Summary of Student Completion, Employment and Placement Report.

Graduation and Employment Rates

- Carlsbad Campus

New York Occupational Education Data Survey 2019 – 2020

Texas Residents: Summary of Student Completion and Placement Report


Student Privacy Rights (FERPA)
The care and protection of GIA student information is of the utmost importance.GIA maintains a comprehensive global personal data protection policy that may be found on our website at www.gia.edu.GIA also complies with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA).Additional information can be found in the Education Catalogue.

More information on requesting reasonable accommodation can be found in the Education Catalogue.


Texas Residents - Additional Information

GIA is authorised by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) to offer online courses and Lab classes to residents of Texas. GIA’s TWC assigned school number is S3437. GIA Applied Jewelry Professional™ (AJP®) programme is exempt from regulation under Texas Education Code, section 132.002 (a)(3). Texas residents enrolling in online courses or Lab classes should refer to GIA’s Texas Education Catalogue.

This school is authorised to offer the online programmes listed below:

  • Graduate Gemologist Diploma Programme
  • Graduate Diamonds Diploma Programme
  • Graduate Colored Stones Diploma Programme
  • Graduate Pearls Diploma Programme

For specific information on GIA education offered in Texas, please download:


GIA Title IX Non-Discrimination Grievance Policy and Process
Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any Education Programme or Activity operated by a recipient that receives federal financial assistance.As an educational institution subject to Title IX, Gemological Institute of America, Inc. (“GIA” or “Institute”) has adopted this Title IX Non-Discrimination Grievance Policy and Process (“Policy”).As set forth in detail herein, GIA:

  • Does not discriminate on the basis of sex, including in admissions and employment, and is committed to providing an educational and workplace environment that is free from sex-based discrimination, harassment and retaliation;

  • Prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in its educational programmes and activities, as required by law;

  • Is committed to promoting fairness and equity in all aspects of its operations; and

  • Values and promotes the equal dignity of all community members and is committed to the pursuit of just resolutions with respect to the rights of all parties involved.

  • This Policy is adopted to prevent discrimination prohibited under Title IX and provide a prompt, fair and impartial process to address complaints of alleged discrimination based on sex.

  • Enquiries about this Policy, or the application of Title IX may be referred to GIA’s Title IX Coordinator, the Assistant Secretary of the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, or both.

The Title IX Coordinator oversees implementation and enforcement of this Policy, which includes primary responsibility for coordinating GIA’s efforts related to the intake, investigation, resolution and implementation of supportive measures to stop, remediate and prevent discrimination, harassment and retaliation prohibited under this policy.

GIA’s Title IX Coordinator is identified below and may be contacted with questions about this Policy, to file a report or Formal Complaint, or to otherwise assist individuals in ensuring equal access to GIA’s educational programmes or activities in compliance with Title IX.

Ms Vusala Aranjo
Director of Education
Compliance and Title IX & 504/ADA Coordinator
Address: 5345 Armada Drive, Carlsbad, CA, 92008
Tel.: +1 760 603 4000 ext. 7776
Email: varanjo@gia.edu, titleixcoordinator@gia.edu
Web: www.gia.edu

Deputy Title IX Coordinator
Ms Jennifer Kim
Address: 50 W. 47th Street, New York, New York 10036
Tel.: +1 (212) 944 5900 ext. 3662
Email: jkim@gia.edu
Web: www.gia.edu

US Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights

Individuals may also contact the US Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights with Title IX questions.(Please note that enquiries to OCR alone are not sufficient to allow appropriate responsive action by GIA.To ensure your concern is appropriately addressed under this Policy, please file a report with GIA’s Title IX Coordinator).

Office for Civil Rights (OCR)
US Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW Washington, DC 20202-1100
Customer Service Hotline no.: +1 (800) 421 3481
Facsimile: +1 (202) 453 6012
TDD no.: +1 (877) 521 2172
Email: OCR@ed.gov
Web: http://www.ed.gov/ocr

Title IX Non-Discrimination Grievance Policy and Process
Policy Prohibiting Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation

On 19 May 2020, the US Department of Education released its Final Rule under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in education programmes or activities receiving federal financial assistance.As mandated by the law, Title IX coordinators, investigators and decision-makers must be properly trained.All materials used to train Title IX coordinators, investigators, decision-makers and any person who facilitates an informal resolution process.A recipient must make these training materials publicly available on its website, or if the recipient does not maintain a website the recipient must make these materials available upon request for inspection by members of the public.Please see below for all training sessions GIA’s Title IX staff members have attended:

Title IX Coordinators:
Title IX Coordinator Training Part 1
Video - Title IX Coordinator Training Part 1
Title IX Coordinator Training Part 2
Video - Title IX Coordinator Training Part 2
Title IX Coordinator Training Part 3
Video - Title IX Coordinator Training Part 3

Office of Civil Rights (OCR) Title IX Training Webinars (May-July 2020): 29 July 2020: The First Amendment and Title IX: An OCR Short Webinar
27 July 2020: OCR Short Webinar on How to Report Sexual Harassment under Title IX
21 Jul 2020: OCR Webinar on Due Process Protections under the New Title IX Regulations
10 July 2020: OCR Webinar on Civil Rights and COVID-19
7 July 2020: OCR Webinar on New Title IX Protections Against Sexual Assault
19 May 2020: OCR 100: An Introduction to Federal Civil Rights Protections in Education
8 May 2020: OCR Webinar: Title IX Regulations Addressing Sexual Harassment

Investigators:
Title IX Investigator Training
Video - Title IX Invesigator Training

Decision-Makers:
Title IX Decision-Maker Training
Video - Title IX Decision-Maker Training
ATIXA R3 Hearing Officers and Decision-Makers Webinar
Video - Webinar Recording Hearing Panels and Decision-Makers' Briefing on the New Regulations

Advisers:
Ankura Webinar Advisers

Additionally, all Title IX team members have participated in Thomson Coburn Title IX training series published on 28 July 2020.Please see below for specific topics that were covered in these sessions:

2020 7 Session 1 - Fundamentals
2020 7 Session 2 - Complaints
2020 7 Session 3 - Investigation
2020 7 Session 4 - Hearings
2020 7 Session 5 - Determinations
2020 7 Session 6 - Appeals
2020 8-12 Title IX Compliance Checklist Final
Thompson Coburn Title IX Training Series  - Video Playlist


Transfer of Credit Policies
Information about GIA's transfer of credit policy can be found in the Education Catalogue.

To access the catalogues for other GIA school locations, please refer to our campuses and locations page.


Tuition and Fees - Schedule of Student Charges
The complete list of student charges, including tuition and other fees, can be found in the Education Catalogue.

To access the catalogues for other GIA school locations, please refer to our campuses and locations page.


Voter Registration Information
Post-secondary institutions play a critical role in supporting our democratic process and ensuring all students have access to resources to engage in our electoral process. GIA makes a good faith effort to distribute voting registration information, and voter registration deadlines.


Withdrawal, Leave of Absence and Cancellation Policies
GIA policies related to student withdrawals, leaves of absence or other discontinuances can be found in the Education Catalogue.

To access the catalogues for other GIA school locations, please refer to our campuses and locations page.