ADHA Foundation Dental Hygiene Scholarships Opening Soon
Offered by ADHA Foundation (Institute for Oral Health)
About This Scholarship
The ADHA Foundation, historically known as the Institute for Oral Health, is the charitable arm of the American Dental Hygienists' Association. It was founded to advance the dental hygiene profession and expand access to oral care, and its flagship program is an annual scholarship cycle that funds dental hygiene students at every level of the educational ladder.
The foundation offers 17 different scholarships spanning associate, bachelor's, and graduate study. Associate-level students can pursue awards like the Diann Bomkamp Leadership Scholarship and the Hu-Friedy/Esther Wilkins Instrumentation Scholarship; bachelor's students have options including the Crest Oral-B, Haleon Sensodyne, Wilma E. Motley, and PDT Ann Battrell Pursuit of Excellence scholarships; and graduate students can apply for funds such as the Alice Hinchcliffe Williams Merit Scholarship, the Sigma Phi Alpha Scholarship, and the Burch Equity Scholarship. Applicants choose one scholarship to apply for per cycle.
ADHA membership is required, and student membership in the association is open to anyone enrolled in an accredited dental hygiene program at a modest annual rate. The single application window for the 2027 awards runs from December 1, 2026 through February 28, 2027, with recipients selected in late spring.
Eligibility
- Enrolled in a dental hygiene program (associate, bachelor's, or graduate level, depending on the specific scholarship)
- Current ADHA member (student membership is open to enrolled dental hygiene students)
- May apply for only one of the 17 scholarships per cycle
- Current ADHA Foundation Board, ADHA Board, and Scholarship Review Committee members are ineligible
How To Apply
- Choose the one ADHA Foundation scholarship that best fits your degree level and profile, then complete the online application on adha.org between December 1, 2026 and February 28, 2027. Requirements vary by named fund but generally include academic records and written statements; recipients are selected in late spring.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to join ADHA to get a foundation scholarship?
Yes, ADHA membership is required. Student membership is open to anyone enrolled in a dental hygiene program and costs far less than professional membership, so joining before you apply is straightforward.
Can I apply for more than one ADHA scholarship?
No. The foundation asks each applicant to select and apply for a single scholarship per cycle, so pick the one whose criteria best match your degree level and strengths.
When are ADHA scholarship recipients announced?
Recipients are selected in late spring following the February 28 application deadline.