Waiving the Student Health Insurance Plan

The University of Texas Board of Regents requires all international students in a F-1, F-2, J-1, or J-2 visa status to have health insurance coverage that complies with the provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). For this reason, enrollment in the UT System Student Health Insurance Plan (UT SHIP) is automatic at the time of registration, and the cost of the policy is included in the student’s tuition and fee bill. In certain cases, students holding comparable coverage may be eligible to waive enrollment in the UT SHIP.

The UT Student Health Insurance Plan meets and exceeds the requirements of the law, and we believe it is a good value for the depth of coverage it provides. Visit the UT Student Health Insurance Plan page for more information on the policy and explore how to use this health insurance plan in the United States. More information about the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) is available through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Review the following waiver eligibility categories to determine your eligibility and required documentation, and follow instructions to submit your waiver by the deadlines listed below.

ESL and J-1 Exchange Students

  • ESL students enrolled in the English Language Center can submit the ELC insurance waiver form to elc@austin.utexas.edu, provided they have personal insurance that meets or exceeds the UT System requirements (as detailed on the waiver form).
  • J-1 exchange students are not eligible for insurance waivers. Please contact exchangeadvisor@austin.utexas.edu with questions.
    • Exchange students with U.S. citizenship are not automatically enrolled in UT SHIP, nor are they automatically charged for insurance fees. As such, it is not necessary for U.S. citizens to submit a waiver to be exempted from these fees. If you would like to purchase UT SHIP, you can voluntarily enroll in the Student Health Insurance Plan and the associated fees will be added to your Tuition Bill for the requested semester(s).

Students Graduating in Spring

If you are graduating at the end of the spring semester and wish to waive enrollment in the summer student health insurance plan coverage, you must submit the Graduating in Spring waiver as detailed below. 

Please note: insurance premiums are not automatically reversed for students who graduate without an approved waiver, and waiver requests must be signed by your academic department.

2024-2025 Waiver Deadlines

 Fall 2024Spring 2025Summer 2025
DeadlineMonday, Sept. 9 by 5 p.m.Monday, Jan. 27 by 5 p.m.Thursday, June 5 by 5 p.m.

Submit a Waiver Application - Select the Appropriate Option for You

Processing Time

Waiver requests may take up to two weeks to be processed. You may check to see if your waiver request has been approved by viewing your tuition and fee bill. If you see insurance charges on your tuition and fee bill on the 10th class day (fall/spring) or 1st class day (summer I session), contact the insurance advisor immediately.

Questions?

Visit the Frequently Asked Questions page or email us at intlinsurance@austin.utexas.edu and include your EID in your message.