Cost if you take SHIP
The 2026-27 premium for the Virginia Tech Student Medical Insurance Plan (26/27 Aetna Medical Plan) is $3,993 a year (student only). It is billed to your student account unless your waiver is approved.
Annual premium covers 8/1/2026-7/31/2027 incl. summer. Semester-only: Fall $2,012, Spring-only $2,320, Summer $1,007. Subsidized GA/RA/TA rate ($479.22) and School of Medicine/Vet Med plans 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 Virginia Tech, your alternative plan must meet these criteria (summarised — the official list is binding):
- Adequate care within 50 miles/80 km of the campus
- Repatriation at least $25,000 and medical evacuation at least $50,000
- No annual or lifetime limits on medical, mental health, substance abuse, prescriptions
- Annual deductible of $500 or less
- Pre-existing conditions covered for entire term, no waiting period
- Pregnancy covered like any other illness
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 Virginia Tech SHIP premium ($3,993 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: risk.vt.edu
- Waiver deadline: risk.vt.edu
- Waiver criteria: risk.vt.edu