Cost if you take SHIP
The 2026-27 premium for the University of California Student Health Insurance Plan (UC SHIP) – UC Santa Cruz is $4,209–$7,455 a year (student only). It is billed to your student account unless your waiver is approved.
Undergraduate $1,403/quarter × 3 = $4,209; graduate $2,485/quarter × 3 = $7,455 (Silicon Valley programs $2,350 × 3 = $7,050). Spring coverage runs to 9/17/2027, so summer is included; the EAP study-abroad rate is excluded.
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 Santa Cruz, your alternative plan must meet these criteria (summarised — the official list is binding):
- In-network primary care, hospital and non-emergency care within 50 miles
- Out-of-pocket max ≤ $10,600 individual; all ACA essential health benefits
- No lifetime or per-condition limits; no pre-existing condition exclusions
- Covers suicide-related care and recreational/amateur sports injuries
- English master policy in USD; US claims office with address and phone
- Medical evacuation ≥ $50,000/yr; repatriation of remains ≥ $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 Santa Cruz SHIP premium ($4,209–$7,455 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: health.ucsc.edu
- Waiver deadline: health.ucsc.edu
- Waiver criteria: health.ucsc.edu