Cost if you take SHIP
The 2026-27 premium for the Northeastern University Student Health Plan (NUSHP) - Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts is $3,049 a year (student only). It is billed to your student account unless your waiver is approved.
One annual fee covers Sep 1, 2026 - Aug 31, 2027 (spring starters pay $2,030 for Jan 1 - Aug 31, 2027).
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 Northeastern University, your alternative plan must meet these criteria (summarised — the official list is binding):
- Comprehensive coverage incl. preventive, hospital, mental health and prescriptions
- Full, not emergency-only, coverage in the campus area
- No annual or lifetime caps on benefits
- Underwritten in the United States (international plans are denied)
- Covers the entire eligible plan year (e.g. Sep 1 - Aug 31)
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 Northeastern University SHIP premium ($3,049 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: studenthealthplan.northeastern.edu
- Waiver deadline: studenthealthplan.northeastern.edu
- Waiver criteria: studenthealthplan.northeastern.edu