Cost if you take SHIP
The 2026-27 premium for the Boston College Student Health Insurance Plan (UnitedHealthcare, underwritten by Harvard Pilgrim) is $4,723 a year (student only). It is billed to your student account unless your waiver is approved.
Sum of the First Semester ($2,083, 8/7/26–1/14/27) and Second Semester ($2,640, 1/15/27–8/6/27) student premiums.
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 Boston College, your alternative plan must meet these criteria (summarised — the official list is binding):
- Insurance must comply with Massachusetts state law
- No international, socialized/national (incl. Canadian) or non-US-based plans
- No travel insurance or short-term medical plans
- Eligible: US employer plan (own, parent, guardian or spouse)
- Eligible: certain government programs (Kuwait/UAE, Saudi Arabia)
- Coverage effective by Aug 7, 2026 (fall) or Jan 15, 2027 (spring)
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 Boston College SHIP premium ($4,723 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.