Cost if you take SHIP
The 2026-27 premium for the Boston University Aetna Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) is $4,054 a year (student only). It is billed to your student account unless your waiver is approved.
Standard annual rate; coverage normally Aug 15, 2026 - Aug 14, 2027. Premium billed to the student account.
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 University, your alternative plan must meet these criteria (summarised — the official list is binding):
- Plan meets Affordable Care Act (ACA) requirements
- Underwritten in the United States ('US-based' plans are not accepted)
- Not an ISO-branded insurance product
- Open provider network in Greater Boston (no out-of-area HMO/EPO/Medicaid)
- Unlimited lifetime dollar limit; preventive care without coinsurance
- Covers outpatient and inpatient mental health and prescription drugs
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 University SHIP premium ($4,054 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.