Cost if you take SHIP
The 2026-27 premium for the Duke Student Medical Insurance Plan (SMIP), Aetna Student Health from 2026-27 is $4,290 a year (student only). It is billed to your student account unless your waiver is approved.
Annual student-only premium, plan year Aug 1-Jul 31. Separate Student Health Fee not included.
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
Duke University does not allow waivers for most international students. Review the exceptions below and budget for the full SHIP premium.
- Student must not be attending Duke on an F-1/J-1 visa
- ACA-compliant plan; not travel insurance
- US-based claims administrator with US phone/address; policy issued in US
- Unlimited emergency/routine and mental health care in Durham area at Duke Medicine
- Mental health: at least 30 visits/year plus chemical dependency benefits
- Unlimited prescription medication coverage
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 Duke University SHIP premium ($4,290 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: students.duke.edu
- Waiver deadline: students.duke.edu
- Waiver criteria: students.duke.edu