Cost if you take SHIP
The 2026-27 premium for the George Mason University Student Health Insurance Plan (Aetna Student Health) is $4,032 a year (student only). It is billed to your student account unless your waiver is approved.
Sum of Fall (8/16/26–12/31/26) $1,532 and Spring/Summer (1/1/27–8/15/27) $2,500; a summer-only rate of $1,061 applies to new students only.
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 George Mason University, your alternative plan must meet these criteria (summarised — the official list is binding):
- Annual deductible not exceeding $500
- Policy valid until August 15, 2027
- Medical evacuation ($50,000) and repatriation ($25,000) coverage
- Plan from a scholarship/government sponsor: ACA-compliant US health plan, or
- Health insurance from a US employer that is ACA-compliant
- National health coverage and travel insurance do not qualify
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 George Mason University SHIP premium ($4,032 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: shs.gmu.edu
- Waiver deadline: shs.gmu.edu
- Waiver criteria: shs.gmu.edu