Cost if you take SHIP
The 2026-27 premium for the University Student Health Insurance Plan (U-SHIP), UnitedHealthcare StudentResources is $5,517 a year (student only). It is billed to your student account unless your waiver is approved.
Assessed as a quarterly fee of $1,839 over autumn, winter and spring quarters (3 x $1,839 = $5,517) for coverage Sep 1, 2026 - Aug 31, 2027. PhD students' individual premiums are paid by the University.
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 University of Chicago, your alternative plan must meet these criteria (summarised — the official list is binding):
- ACA-compliant; issued in the US by a US-domiciled carrier
- Unlimited annual/lifetime benefit for each ACA essential health benefit
- Covers emergency and non-emergency care in the Chicago area
- Pre-existing conditions covered with no waiting period or exclusion
- Out-of-pocket maximum of $10,600 or less (individual)
- Medical evacuation and repatriation cover required for F-1/J-1 students
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 University of Chicago SHIP premium ($5,517 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: d3qi0qp55mx5f5.cloudfront.net
- Waiver deadline: wellness.uchicago.edu
- Waiver criteria: d3qi0qp55mx5f5.cloudfront.net