Cost if you take SHIP
The 2026-27 premium for the University of Tennessee Student Health Insurance Plan (UnitedHealthcare StudentResources, administered by The Hildreth Agency) is $2,928 a year (student only). It is billed to your student account unless your waiver is approved.
Annual student-only premium 8/1/26-7/31/27 (= Fall $1,220 + Spring/Summer $1,708). Taken from the 2026-27 voluntary enrollment form; international students are auto-billed each semester, and the page does not state a separate international rate.
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 Tennessee, your alternative plan must meet these criteria (summarised — the official list is binding):
- Unlimited medical coverage; deductible max $250 per policy year
- Student pays less than 25% per accident/illness
- No waiting period; pre-existing conditions and pregnancy covered
- Repatriation at least $20,000 and medical evacuation at least $50,000
- Insurer rated A.M. Best A- or S&P A+ or better
- Documents in English and US dollars; travel insurance 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 Tennessee SHIP premium ($2,928 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: studenthealthprograms.com
- Waiver deadline: studentlife.utk.edu
- Waiver criteria: studentlife.utk.edu