Cost if you take SHIP
The 2026-27 premium for the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) for Penn State, UnitedHealthcare StudentResources is $4,365–$5,295 a year (student only). It is billed to your student account unless your waiver is approved.
Billed per semester: undergraduate $1,686 fall + $2,679 spring/summer = $4,365; graduate/law $2,045 + $3,250 = $5,295. Graduate assistants, fellows and trainees get a university subsidy.
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 Penn State University, your alternative plan must meet these criteria (summarised — the official list is binding):
- US carrier, PPACA-compliant, filed with Pennsylvania Insurance Department
- Deductible no greater than $500
- Pre-existing conditions covered with no waiting period
- Preventive and contraceptive care covered at 100%
- In-network out-of-pocket maximum $3,000; worldwide coverage
- Medical evacuation of at least $100,000 and repatriation of at least $50,000
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 Penn State University SHIP premium ($4,365–$5,295 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: psu.edu
- Waiver deadline: studentaffairs.psu.edu
- Waiver criteria: studentaffairs.psu.edu