Cost if you take SHIP
The 2026-27 premium for the GW Student Health Insurance Plan (GW SHIP) - Aetna Student Health, administered by University Health Plans is $3,355 a year (student only). It is billed to your student account unless your waiver is approved.
Annual coverage 8/12/2026-8/11/2027 costs $3,355, billed by semester: Fall $1,305 + Spring/Summer $2,050.
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 Washington University, your alternative plan must meet these criteria (summarised — the official list is binding):
- Plan must be filed and approved in the US
- Plan must be compliant with the Affordable Care Act
- Comprehensive non-emergency benefits in the Washington, DC metro area
- Emergency-only coverage does not qualify
- International-student-only plans (e.g. ISO, PSI, GBG) are rejected
- Usually only embassy, US employer or US Marketplace plans qualify
Visit the George Washington University health services portal →
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 Washington University SHIP premium ($3,355 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: universityhealthplans.com
- Waiver deadline: healthcenter.gwu.edu
- Waiver criteria: healthcenter.gwu.edu