Health, Dental, & Family

Thanks to the efforts of graduate student employees at UMass Amherst since the early 1990s, GEO members are eligible for deeply discounted access to the Student Health Benefits Plan (SHBP) at UMass Amherst, FREE dental and vision coverage, childcare subsidies, and more.

Health Insurance

Every student at UMass enrolled for more than 5 credits is automatically signed up for the Student Health Benefit Plan (SHBP). GEO members are eligible for a 95% reduction on individual and family insurance premiums. Please consult our health insurance guide for more detailed information.

Dental and Vision Insurance

In addition, GEO-eligible students are eligible for dental and vision insurance—FREE for individuals, and a small premium for families—through the UAW/UMASS Health and Welfare Trust. The HWT website has all the info you need!

Family

Securing quality childcare for GEO members with families is one of our top priorities. Through successive rounds of negotiations, we have fought to make UMass an affordable and accessible destination for all graduate students. Starting January 2023, the university’s contributions to the Health and Welfare Trust Fund earmarked for childcare will increase to $215,000.  

Through the Trust Fund, the university provides a subsidy to the University Child Care (UCC) flexcare classrooms so that graduate students and others in need of part-time care (6-30 hours a week) pay a lower rate according to a needs-based sliding fee. Currently, UCC is closed; it has been since 2020. While everyone on campus benefits from this facility, UMass has done little to recruit new staff to allow them to open the facility at its previous (or increased) capacity. GEO believes UMass should do what it takes so families can get the support they need. If you want to get involved in the fight for affordable childcare, write to us right away: geo@umass.edu! 

In addition, through funds from the University (specified in the GEO contract) and the Graduate Student Senate, a needs-based voucher program is administered through the GSS office. Funds from this voucher program can be used at any daycare, not just UCC. If you would like to apply for funds from this program contact GSS immediately—the deadline is very early in the semester. If you would like more information about other community resources to help with childcare please contact GEO at geo@external.umass.edu.