G.E.H.A Solutions Oral Health Access Scholarship

About the Scholarship

Supported through a partnership with the UMKC School of Dentistry, the Rinehart Foundation, and G.E.H.A Solutions, the G.E.H.A Solutions Oral Health Access Scholarship supports students committed to improving oral health access within underserved communities. This scholarship aims to remove financial barriers for aspiring dental professionals while promoting service, leadership, and community impact.

About our Partners

The Rinehart Foundation at the UMKC School of Dentistry and G.E.H.A Solutions are proud to support dental hygiene and dental students who aspire to practice in communities within a Dental Care Health Professional Shortage Area (Dental HPSA). This partnership helps improve access to oral healthcare in underserved areas by financially supporting students’ plans to serve these communities.

G.E.H.A Solutions, an indirect wholly owned, for-profit subsidiary of G.E.H.A (Government Employees Health Association, Inc.), is one of the nation’s leading dental network leasing companies for healthcare payors and administrators. Beyond its work in dental networks, G.E.H.A Solutions is committed to philanthropic efforts that expand oral health access and improve outcomes across North America. Through grants, in-kind giving, and volunteer initiatives, the organization continues to make a meaningful impact on patient communities.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Junior or senior Dental Hygiene (DH) student OR
  • Third-year or fourth-year Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) student
  • Submit a completed application, personal statement, and current resume
  • Commit to full-time practice (30+ hours/week) as a dental hygienist, dentist, or specialist in the U.S. within a Dental HPSA for at least one year.
  • Cannot be under any other service obligation during the same time (e.g., military, national health service corps, public health, or any loan forgiveness program)

Scholarship Amounts

  • UMKC Dental Hygiene Students: Five recipients each receiving an award of $20,000
  • UMKC Dental Students: Five recipients each receiving an award of $50,000

Timeline

  • Application Deadline: December 7th, 2025, 11:59PM CST
  • Award Notification: Early January 2026
  • Award Distribution: January 2026*
    *Awarding is contingent upon final approval of the agreement and receipt of full funding from G.E.H.A Solutions to the Rinehart Foundation in January 2026.

How to Apply

  • Review the full eligibility guidelines and requirements
  • Prepare required documents
    • Resume
    • Personal statement addressing the following:
      • Why do you desire to work in a Dental HPSA?
      • What activities have you been involved in that have confirmed your desire to work in a Dental HPSA?
      • Why will you be successful in caring for patients in underserved areas?
      • What are your short-term and long-term practice plans and goals?  Include location or proximity if know. 
    • Complete the online application form using the link below
    • Submit all materials by the application deadline

 apply now

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Who is the service scholarship agreement with?
    • The agreement is between the UMKC student and the Roy James Rinehart Memorial Foundation. The Student must sign a service contract and adhere to the requirements within the service obligation to avoid the repayment penalty.
  • Do I choose my HPSA practice site, or does the program assign me one?
    • The recipient chooses and the site must be within a designated Dental Care Health Professional Shortage Area as defined and designated by the United States Health Resources and Services Administration Bureau of Health Workforce at the time the student commences their service obligation. To find shortage areas go to Dental HPSA.
  • Does the one-year commitment need to begin immediately after graduation?
    • Within three months after degree completion the recipient must be engaged in full-time practice of dentistry or full-time practice of dental hygiene within a Dental Care HPSA. Full-time practice is defined in the agreement as a minimum of thirty hours per week.  The service obligation term is one year from the date commences full-time practice. 
  • Is the scholarship money applied directly to my student account or given as a direct payment?
    • The scholarship amount is awarded within the student account and applies toward the cost of attendance and is eligible for disbursement to the student once tuition balances are paid.
  • How will this award affect my financial aid package?
    • Recipients should work closely with the UMKC Financial Aid Office.
  • Is there a penalty if I do not meet the full one-year commitment?
    • Yes, repayment of the full amount of the scholarship plus interest, costs, and fees of collection are required.
  • What happens if circumstances prevent me from completing the service requirement?
    • The Rinehart Foundation will have discretion based upon extraordinary circumstances to determine if the scholarship does not have to be repaid based on limited areas defined in the agreement (ex. disability, death).
  • Can I still apply if I plan to pursue a residency after graduation?
    • Yes, deferment is supported through an approval process for specific reasons such as medical reasons, military service, full-time advanced residency program. Military service or residency programs do not count toward the service requirement and the service requirement must be completed following other obligations.

Contact

If you have questions regarding the scholarship or application process, please contact:

Richard Bigham, Assistant Dean for Students Programs, at bighamr@umkc.edu.