US University Waiver Finder

A SHIP (Student Health Insurance Plan) waiver is an official request to opt out of your university's mandatory health insurance by showing proof of comparable alternative coverage. If approved, the SHIP fee is removed from your student account and you use your own plan instead.

Yes — most US universities allow F-1 and J-1 students to waive SHIP if their alternative plan meets strict requirements: US-based claims processing, minimum annual benefits (often $500,000+), mental health parity, and local in-network access. UC schools, University of Washington, and a few others are stricter and reject most foreign plans.

Popular plans that meet most university waiver requirements include GeoBlue Navigator, ISO Student Health Insurance, IMG Patriot Exchange, and Student Secure. Always confirm your specific university's minimum standards before purchasing — requirements vary by state and school.

Savings range from about $1,100/year at state universities like UIUC to over $6,000/year at Stanford. On average, international students save between $2,500 and $4,500 per academic year by waiving SHIP and purchasing a qualifying alternative plan.

If you miss the deadline, you are automatically enrolled in SHIP and charged the full premium. Most universities do not allow late waivers — the only way to drop SHIP mid-year is typically through a qualifying life event or by leaving the university.

No. The figures on this page are approximations based on publicly available SHIP pages and ISSS policies for the 2025 academic year. Premiums and waiver rules change annually. Always verify the current requirements on your university's official portal before making a decision.