Cost if you take SHIP
The 2026-27 premium for the University of Illinois Student Health Insurance (Urbana-Champaign), UnitedHealthcare StudentResources is $2,628–$3,375 a year (student only). It is billed to your student account unless your waiver is approved.
Per-semester student fee: undergraduate $876, graduate $1,125. Summer (May 15 - Aug 20, 2027) is a separate period; a summer extension costs 'the same as the previous semester', so fall+spring+summer = $2,628 (UG) / $3,375 (grad). Fall+spring only: $1,752 / $2,250.
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 Illinois Urbana-Champaign, your alternative plan must meet these criteria (summarised — the official list is binding):
- US-based plan with a US phone number
- Effective by the Saturday before classes, through the rest of the academic year
- In-network emergency and non-emergency care at listed local health centers
- ACA-compliant with unlimited lifetime benefits
- No restrictions on pre-existing conditions
- Covers mental health care services
Visit the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign 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
What a waiver can save
Your saving is the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign SHIP premium ($2,628–$3,375 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: si.illinois.edu
- Waiver deadline: si.illinois.edu
- Waiver criteria: si.illinois.edu