Cost if you take SHIP
The 2026-27 premium for the KU Student Health Insurance – UnitedHealthcare StudentResources (Kansas Board of Regents requirements) is $2,747 a year (student only). It is billed to your student account unless your waiver is approved.
Annual $2,747 = Fall $1,144 + Spring $1,144 + Summer $459 (student only). Insurance is sold semester by semester.
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 Kansas, your alternative plan must meet these criteria (summarised — the official list is binding):
- Unlimited maximum benefit; all ACA essential benefits incl. pre-existing conditions
- Policy-year deductible of $500 or less
- Out-of-pocket max ≤ $8,200 per member in network; plan pays ≥ 75% coinsurance
- At least $100,000 for repatriation and medical evacuation
- No travel or emergency/urgent-care-only plans; documents in English and USD
- US-based claims payer; policy filed with Kansas Dept. of Insurance or employer/government plan
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 Kansas SHIP premium ($2,747 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: iss.ku.edu
- Waiver deadline: iss.ku.edu
- Waiver criteria: iss.ku.edu