Cost if you take SHIP
The 2026-27 premium for the Arizona Board of Regents Student Health Insurance Plan (UnitedHealthcare StudentResources) is $2,956 a year (student only). It is billed to your student account unless your waiver is approved.
Per semester: Fall $1,118 (8/16/26-12/31/26) + Spring $1,838 (1/1/27-8/15/27, incl. summer) = $2,956; same rates for international students.
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
University of Arizona does not allow waivers for most international students. Review the exceptions below and budget for the full SHIP premium.
- Exemption only in 7 listed categories, not for individually purchased plans
- Approved government/official sponsor that provides health insurance
- US employer health insurance (own, or spouse/parent at UA, ASU or NAU plus evacuation)
- Exchange students with group insurance from home university/organization
- Outside the US for a whole semester (research, study abroad, distance learning)
- Summer-only transfer or pre-session students with proof of other insurance
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 Arizona SHIP premium ($2,956 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.arizona.edu
- Waiver deadline: health.arizona.edu
- Waiver criteria: health.arizona.edu