Cost if you take SHIP
The 2026-27 premium for the URochester Student Health Insurance Plan (Aetna Student Health) is $4,308 a year (student only). It is billed to your student account unless your waiver is approved.
Annual premium for coverage 8/1/26–7/31/27. The separate mandatory health fee is not included.
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 Rochester, your alternative plan must meet these criteria (summarised — the official list is binding):
- At least $500,000 in medical benefits per plan year
- Prescription coverage of at least $100,000 per plan year
- All pre-existing conditions covered without restrictions
- Mental health at parity; pregnancy and childbirth covered
- Non-emergency care covered in the Rochester, NY region
- In force for the full academic year
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 Rochester SHIP premium ($4,308 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: rochester.edu
- Waiver deadline: rochester.edu
- Waiver criteria: rochester.edu