Houston City College

Cost if you take SHIP

The 2026-27 premium for the Houston City College Student Health Insurance Plan (Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, administered by Academic HealthPlans) is $2,574 a year (student only). It is billed to your student account unless your waiver is approved.

Fall $1,037 (8/17/2026-1/10/2027) + Spring/Summer $1,537 (1/11/2027-8/16/2027) = $2,574; students who start in summer (new only) pay $543 for 6/1-8/16/2027.

Waiver deadline

Fall 2026: Sep 19, 2026; Spring/Summer 2027: Feb 13, 2027; Summer-only (new): Jun 5, 2027

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 Houston City College, your alternative plan must meet these criteria (summarised — the official list is binding):

• Plan must be US/foreign-government sponsored or a US employer group plan; no travel plans
• Medical benefits of at least $100,000 per accident or illness
• Deductible no higher than $2,500 per year
• Coinsurance no more than 25% per accident or illness
• Medical evacuation at least $50,000; repatriation at least $25,000
• Active for at least the semester dates; no exclusions for essential activities

Visit the Houston City College 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

Compare US student health insurance plans →

What a waiver can save

Your saving is the Houston City College SHIP premium ($2,574 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.