Cost if you take SHIP
The 2026-27 premium for the University of Iowa Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) is $3,744 a year (student only). It is billed to your student account unless your waiver is approved.
Only a monthly rate is published: $312/month student only (effective Sep 1, 2026–Aug 31, 2027) × 12 = $3,744. Premiums are charged monthly to the University Bill; fall starters are billed from August (August 2026 falls under the 2025-26 rate year).
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 Iowa, your alternative plan must meet these criteria (summarised — the official list is binding):
- Hospitalization coverage with no maximum on hospitalization benefits
- Non-cancelable and fully paid for at least one semester
- Renewable for continuous coverage; no lifetime maximum
- J-1: at least $100,000 per accident or illness
- J-1: repatriation ≥ $25,000 and medical evacuation ≥ $50,000
- J-1: deductible not exceeding $500
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 Iowa SHIP premium ($3,744 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: hr.uiowa.edu
- Waiver deadline: hr.uiowa.edu
- Waiver criteria: hr.uiowa.edu