Ohio State University

Cost if you take SHIP

The 2026-27 premium for the Ohio State Student Health Benefits Plan (SHBP), UnitedHealthcare is $4,108 a year (student only). It is billed to your student account unless your waiver is approved.

$2,054 per semester (autumn and spring); the spring fee includes summer coverage. Coverage Aug 18, 2026 - Aug 16, 2027.

Waiver deadline

Aug 18, 2026 for the whole 2026-27 year; later requests only via a Waive Request form

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

Ohio State University does not allow waivers for most international students. Review the exceptions below and budget for the full SHIP premium.

• International students can only be exempted in limited cases
• Covered by a government-sponsored plan approved by the University
• Or covered by a US-based employer health policy (employee or dependent)

Visit the Ohio State 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

Compare US student health insurance plans →

What a waiver can save

Your saving is the Ohio State University SHIP premium ($4,108 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.