2025 CEBS Scholarship
CEBS DESIGNATION SCHOLARSHIP
The Kansas City Chapter (the “Chapter”) of the International Society of Employee Benefits Specialists (ISCEBS) is pleased to announce the award of one scholarship to anyone looking to obtain the Retirement Plans Associate (RPA), the Group Benefits Associate (GBA), and/or the Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS) designation from the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans (IFEBP).
This scholarship gives students an opportunity to take one course associated with the designation of their choice.
ABOUT THE DESIGNATIONS
The Retirement Plans Associate (RPA) designation is a great credential for those who work with defined contribution and defined benefit plans or are involved with the management of plan assets. The courses reflect the most current and relevant information needed to effectively design and manage retirement plans.
To earn the RPA designation, you need to complete the following courses:
• RPA 1—Directing Retirement Plans Part 1
• RPA 2—Directing Retirement Plans Part 2
• GBA/RPA 3—Strategic Benefits Management (This course counts for
credit toward the GBA designation)
The Group Benefits Associate (GBA) designation is an ideal fit for those working with health and other group benefits. The courses reflect up-to-date and relevant information - including the latest on health care reform - needed to effectively design, administer, and communicate group benefits.
To earn the Group Benefits Associate designation, complete:
• GBA 1—Directing Benefits Programs Part 1
• GBA 2—Directing Benefits Programs Part 2
• GBA/RPA 3—Strategic Benefits Management (This course counts for
credit toward the RPA designation)
The GBA and RPA designations form the core of the Certified Employee Benefits Specialists (CEBS) curriculum. Earn a designation in each of the specialty tracks and, at the same time, receive credit that will qualify toward earning the CEBS designation. Since the courses taken for the RPA and GBA designations are applied toward the five-course CEBS requirement, and one of the required courses counts toward both designations, once you earn both designations, you will also be awarded a CEBS designation.
TERMS OF THE SCHOLARSHIP
You will receive reimbursement for all study materials (study guide, practice exam, and corresponding textbooks) and the cost of the exam associated with one RPA or GBA course of your choice. Note that fees for retake and/or transfer exams are not included in the scholarship and will not be reimbursed.
To obtain reimbursement, you must first pass the required exam within 6 months of being selected to receive the scholarship (i.e., February 28, 2026). Additionally, as a condition of receiving the scholarship, you agree to complete a Scholarship Recipient Spotlight questionnaire, which will be featured on LinkedIn with a photo of yourself.
ELIGIBILITY
Any Kansas or Missouri residents interested in pursuing the CEBS designation are eligible to apply for the 2025 scholarship.
SELECTION CRITERIA
The scholarship recipient will be selected on the strength of work experience and their commitment to a career in employee benefits. Preference will be given to those applicants whose employer does not provide financial assistance in obtaining a designation from IFEBP. Scholarship applications are reviewed and scored by the Scholarship Committee of the Chapter based on the following criteria.
• Financial need
• Academic experience/professional experience
• Volunteer activity
The Kansas City Chapter (the “Chapter”) of the International Society of Employee Benefits Specialists (ISCEBS) is pleased to announce the award of one scholarship to anyone looking to obtain the Retirement Plans Associate (RPA), the Group Benefits Associate (GBA), and/or the Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS) designation from the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans (IFEBP).
This scholarship gives students an opportunity to take one course associated with the designation of their choice.
ABOUT THE DESIGNATIONS
The Retirement Plans Associate (RPA) designation is a great credential for those who work with defined contribution and defined benefit plans or are involved with the management of plan assets. The courses reflect the most current and relevant information needed to effectively design and manage retirement plans.
To earn the RPA designation, you need to complete the following courses:
• RPA 1—Directing Retirement Plans Part 1
• RPA 2—Directing Retirement Plans Part 2
• GBA/RPA 3—Strategic Benefits Management (This course counts for
credit toward the GBA designation)
The Group Benefits Associate (GBA) designation is an ideal fit for those working with health and other group benefits. The courses reflect up-to-date and relevant information - including the latest on health care reform - needed to effectively design, administer, and communicate group benefits.
To earn the Group Benefits Associate designation, complete:
• GBA 1—Directing Benefits Programs Part 1
• GBA 2—Directing Benefits Programs Part 2
• GBA/RPA 3—Strategic Benefits Management (This course counts for
credit toward the RPA designation)
The GBA and RPA designations form the core of the Certified Employee Benefits Specialists (CEBS) curriculum. Earn a designation in each of the specialty tracks and, at the same time, receive credit that will qualify toward earning the CEBS designation. Since the courses taken for the RPA and GBA designations are applied toward the five-course CEBS requirement, and one of the required courses counts toward both designations, once you earn both designations, you will also be awarded a CEBS designation.
TERMS OF THE SCHOLARSHIP
You will receive reimbursement for all study materials (study guide, practice exam, and corresponding textbooks) and the cost of the exam associated with one RPA or GBA course of your choice. Note that fees for retake and/or transfer exams are not included in the scholarship and will not be reimbursed.
To obtain reimbursement, you must first pass the required exam within 6 months of being selected to receive the scholarship (i.e., February 28, 2026). Additionally, as a condition of receiving the scholarship, you agree to complete a Scholarship Recipient Spotlight questionnaire, which will be featured on LinkedIn with a photo of yourself.
ELIGIBILITY
Any Kansas or Missouri residents interested in pursuing the CEBS designation are eligible to apply for the 2025 scholarship.
SELECTION CRITERIA
The scholarship recipient will be selected on the strength of work experience and their commitment to a career in employee benefits. Preference will be given to those applicants whose employer does not provide financial assistance in obtaining a designation from IFEBP. Scholarship applications are reviewed and scored by the Scholarship Committee of the Chapter based on the following criteria.
• Financial need
• Academic experience/professional experience
• Volunteer activity
HOW TO APPLY
To apply for this scholarship, you must complete and submit the application. Click here to access the application. The application includes contact information and a series of short answer questions about your experience and your career aspirations.
ABOUT THE CHAPTER
The Kansas City Chapter of ISCEBS was officially incorporated in 1989. Since then, the Chapter has grown to its current membership of approximately 50 employee benefit professionals - including HR professionals, brokers and consultants, and carrier representatives. Our membership’s background diversity provides a wide range of perspectives and audiences for our educational sessions, as well as leadership of the Chapter. Like the ISCEBS, the Chapter is a non-profit entity. Over the years, we have provided CEBS designees and CEBS students with meaningful educational programs, leadership opportunities and networking options for the mutual benefit of the Chapter, its members, and guests. The Chapter is in a strong position to continue its mission of being a premier employee benefits organization in the Kansas City area.
CONTACT INFORMATION
For more information, visit www.iscebs-kc.org. Questions can be directed to the Scholarship Committee of the Chapter at [email protected]. Please include ”2025 CEBS Scholarship Application” in the subject line of the e-mail.
To apply for this scholarship, you must complete and submit the application. Click here to access the application. The application includes contact information and a series of short answer questions about your experience and your career aspirations.
ABOUT THE CHAPTER
The Kansas City Chapter of ISCEBS was officially incorporated in 1989. Since then, the Chapter has grown to its current membership of approximately 50 employee benefit professionals - including HR professionals, brokers and consultants, and carrier representatives. Our membership’s background diversity provides a wide range of perspectives and audiences for our educational sessions, as well as leadership of the Chapter. Like the ISCEBS, the Chapter is a non-profit entity. Over the years, we have provided CEBS designees and CEBS students with meaningful educational programs, leadership opportunities and networking options for the mutual benefit of the Chapter, its members, and guests. The Chapter is in a strong position to continue its mission of being a premier employee benefits organization in the Kansas City area.
CONTACT INFORMATION
For more information, visit www.iscebs-kc.org. Questions can be directed to the Scholarship Committee of the Chapter at [email protected]. Please include ”2025 CEBS Scholarship Application” in the subject line of the e-mail.