Cost if you take SHIP
The 2026-27 premium for the Rutgers Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP), UnitedHealthcare is $3,286 a year (student only). It is billed to your student account unless your waiver is approved.
Fall (Aug 15, 2026 - Jan 14, 2027) $1,378 + Spring/Summer (Jan 15 - Aug 14, 2027) $1,908. Same rate on all campuses.
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 Rutgers University, your alternative plan must meet these criteria (summarised — the official list is binding):
- Unlimited coverage with no maximum dollar limit
- Deductible no more than $500 out-of-network per policy year
- Medical evacuation of at least $50,000; repatriation of at least $25,000
- Filed and approved in the US and fully ACA-compliant
- Insurer licensed to do business in the United States
- Pays medical providers directly for inpatient and outpatient care
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 Rutgers University SHIP premium ($3,286 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.rutgers.edu
- Waiver deadline: finance.rutgers.edu
- Waiver criteria: global.rutgers.edu