UC Riverside

Cost if you take SHIP

The 2026-27 premium for the University of California Student Health Insurance Plan (UC SHIP) – UC Riverside is $2,823.27–$6,268.65 a year (student only). It is billed to your student account unless your waiver is approved.

Taken from the 2026-27 voluntary premium sheets (student only, medical+dental+vision): undergraduate $941.09/quarter × 3 = $2,823.27; graduate $2,089.55/quarter × 3 = $6,268.65. UCR's page gives no 2026-27 mandatory fee (its table is still 2024-25, where the mandatory and voluntary rates were identical).

Waiver deadline

Fall: Jun 1–Sep 12, 2026; Winter: Nov 1–Dec 12, 2026; Spring: Feb 1–Mar 12, 2027 ($50 late fee; no forms after first day of instruction)

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 Riverside, your alternative plan must meet these criteria (summarised — the official list is binding):

• In-network primary care, hospital and non-emergency care within reasonable distance of campus
• Out-of-pocket max ≤ $9,200 individual (2025-26 criteria doc); ACA essential benefits
• No lifetime or per-condition limits; no pre-existing condition exclusions
• No reimbursement plans; English policy in USD; US claims office
• Covers suicide-related care and recreational/amateur sports injuries
• Medical evacuation ≥ $50,000/yr; repatriation of remains ≥ $25,000

Visit the UC Riverside 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

Compare US student health insurance plans →

What a waiver can save

Your saving is the UC Riverside SHIP premium ($2,823.27–$6,268.65 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.