Cost if you take SHIP
The 2026-27 premium for the Berkeley Student Health Insurance Plan (Berkeley SHIP) is $5,066–$8,206 a year (student only). It is billed to your student account unless your waiver is approved.
Per-semester rates × 2 (Fall Aug 1 – Dec 31 + Spring Jan 1 – Jul 31, incl. summer): undergraduate $2,533 × 2 = $5,066; graduate $4,103 × 2 = $8,206.
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 UC Berkeley, your alternative plan must meet these criteria (summarised — the official list is binding):
- Meets Minimum Essential Coverage (non-emergency care, not ER-only)
- Active for the whole academic year Aug 1, 2026 – Jul 31, 2027
- Covers all 10 ACA essential health benefits (or US Medi-Cal/exchange plan)
- International: master policy in standard English, benefits in US dollars
- International: medical evacuation of at least $50,000 per year
- International: repatriation of remains of at least $25,000
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 UC Berkeley SHIP premium ($5,066–$8,206 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: uhs.berkeley.edu
- Waiver deadline: uhs.berkeley.edu
- Waiver criteria: uhs.berkeley.edu