Cost if you take SHIP
The 2026-27 premium for the Santa Clara University Student Health Insurance Plan (Aetna Student Health; waivers via Gallagher Student Health) is $3,361–$3,901 a year (student only). It is billed to your student account unless your waiver is approved.
Annual plans: undergraduates $3,361 (9/15/26-9/14/27); other graduate programs, Law and the Jesuit School of Theology $3,901. SCU marks the rates as pending state approval.
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 Santa Clara University, your alternative plan must meet these criteria (summarised — the official list is binding):
- Own plan must meet Minimum Essential Coverage (MEC)
- F-1: waiver only as dependent/employee on a US-based ACA-compliant plan
- J-1 students cannot waive (no exceptions)
- Travel insurance and short-term medical plans are not accepted
- Plans underwritten outside the US are not accepted
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 Santa Clara University SHIP premium ($3,361–$3,901 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.