Cost if you take SHIP
The 2026-27 premium for the UT System Student Health Insurance Plan (UT SHIP) - AcademicBlue, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (administered by Academic HealthPlans) is $3,707 a year (student only). It is billed to your student account unless your waiver is approved.
Sum of Fall (8/1-12/31/2026) $1,554 + Spring (1/1-5/31/2027) $1,534 + Summer (6/1-7/31/2027) $619; the domestic voluntary rate is the same. Optional dental is excluded.
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 Texas at Dallas, your alternative plan must meet these criteria (summarised — the official list is binding):
- ACA-compliant plan with essential benefits and no annual limits
- No pre-existing condition exclusions; 100% ACA preventive care
- Deductible of $500 or less per accident or illness
- Coinsurance no higher than 25%
- Repatriation of at least $25,000 and medical evacuation of at least $50,000
- Short-term plans and plans made for international students are not accepted
Visit the University of Texas at Dallas health services portal →
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 Texas at Dallas SHIP premium ($3,707 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: myahpcare.com
- Waiver deadline: utdallas.myahpcare.com
- Waiver criteria: utdallas.myahpcare.com