Cost if you take SHIP
The 2026-27 premium for the Fordham University Student Health Insurance Plan (Aetna Student Health) is $5,232 a year (student only). It is billed to your student account unless your waiver is approved.
Published annual rate; equals Fall $1,890 + Spring and summer $3,342. Plan runs Aug 23 to Aug 22.
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 Fordham University, your alternative plan must meet these criteria (summarised — the official list is binding):
- Benefits equal to or greater than the SHIP, with no additional exclusions
- US-headquartered insurer with US claims address and customer service phone
- ACA-compliant; inpatient and outpatient care incl. mental health in NYC area
- Unlimited maximum benefit (no dollar limit)
- Medevac ≥ $50,000, repatriation ≥ $25,000, deductible ≤ $500 per year
- Insurance from the student's home country is not accepted
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 Fordham University SHIP premium ($5,232 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: fordham.edu
- Waiver deadline: fordham.edu
- Waiver criteria: fordham.edu