Cost if you take SHIP
The 2026-27 premium for the University of Maryland Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) – Aetna, administered by Academic HealthPlans is $2,939 a year (student only). It is billed to your student account unless your waiver is approved.
Annual $2,939 billed as Fall $1,232 + Spring/Summer $1,707 (coverage Aug 1, 2026–Jul 31, 2027). Single student rate published for all 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
According to University of Maryland, your alternative plan must meet these criteria (summarised — the official list is binding):
- Plan must be compliant with the Affordable Care Act
- Plan must be filed/underwritten in the United States
- Covers ACA essential benefits incl. maternity, mental health, Rx, preventive care
- In-network access to providers in the Baltimore/Washington DC area
- No out-of-state Medicaid plans
- International, travel and ministry cost-sharing plans not accepted
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 Maryland SHIP premium ($2,939 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.umd.edu
- Waiver deadline: health.umd.edu
- Waiver criteria: umd.myahpcare.com