Cost if you take SHIP
The 2026-27 premium for the AU Student Health Insurance Plan (Aetna Student Health, via Academic HealthPlans) is $2,759 a year (student only). It is billed to your student account unless your waiver is approved.
Annual coverage 8/1/2026-7/31/2027 costs $2,759 (Fall $1,156 + Spring/Summer $1,603).
Waiver deadline
Submit your waiver request before the deadline above. Universities rarely accept late waivers — if you miss it, you are auto-enrolled in SHIP and billed the full premium.
Waiver requirements
According to American University, your alternative plan must meet these criteria (summarised — the official list is binding):
- Very limited waivers; international students are auto-enrolled
- Government-sponsored students whose government pays 100% of tuition and insurance
- 100% sponsored students provided with US-based medical insurance
- Covered as US employee/dependent under a US employer plan
- Deductible not exceeding $500
- Continuous coverage through the academic year or semester
Private plans you could submit
These private US student health plans are in our comparison. None is automatically accepted — check the policy maximum, deductible, claims address and the other points above against the plan's terms before you buy:
- ISO Student Health Insurance — from $33/month
- WorldTrips StudentSecure — from $40/month
- Compass Student Insurance — from $43/month
- IMG Patriot Exchange Program
What a waiver can save
Your saving is the American University SHIP premium ($2,759 a year) minus the price of a private plan the university accepts. Private plans in our comparison start at $33/month ($396/year) for the youngest age band; plans that meet strict waiver criteria usually cost more. Compare the real price of the plan you would submit before you decide.
- Premium: american.edu
- Waiver deadline: american.edu
- Waiver criteria: american.edu