Cost if you take SHIP
The 2026-27 premium for the Rensselaer Student Health Insurance Plan (RPI/Aetna Student Health; enrollment/waiver via Haylor, Freyer & Coon) is $2,156–$2,160 a year (student only). It is billed to your student account unless your waiver is approved.
Billed per semester (fall 8/1/2026-1/31/2027, spring 2/1-7/31/2027). The bursar lists $1,080 per semester ($2,160 per year); the HFC highlight sheet lists $1,078 ($2,156), marked pending state approval. The mandatory Health and Wellness Fee ($418 UG / $535 grad per semester) and graduate dental ($110 per semester) are separate.
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 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, your alternative plan must meet these criteria (summarised — the official list is binding):
- Fully compliant with the Affordable Care Act
- Underwritten and administered in the United States
- Effective for the entire academic year
- In-network routine care within 50 miles of campus
- No pre-existing condition exclusions; unlimited benefits, no dollar maximum
- International, travel and health-share plans are not accepted
Visit the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 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 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute SHIP premium ($2,156–$2,160 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: finance.rpi.edu
- Waiver deadline: haylor.com
- Waiver criteria: haylor.com