Student Health Insurance Policy: The University requires all registered students* to carry adequate health insurance each year of study. As such, each year, students must confirm their enrollment in the University Student Health Insurance Plan (U-SHIP) or waive** with proof of alternate comparable coverage by the deadline, typically the 3rd Friday of the student’s first term of registration that academic year.
Students who do not confirm enrollment in U-SHIP or waive by the deadline will be default enrolled in U-SHIP for the remainder of the policy year (through August 31st) and assessed the U-SHIP Premium in quarterly installments on their student account. Exception: Medical School students are assessed the annual U-SHIP Premium on their student account.
Once enrolled in U-SHIP, students may not waive U-SHIP mid-year absent a qualifying life event.
For students registering at the University in Autumn 2026, the deadline to confirm enrollment in or waive U-SHIP is Friday, October 16, 2026. The enrollment/waiver site will be open the first week of August.
For detailed information about U-SHIP as well as alternate insurance requirements please use the links below.
- Learn about U-SHIP Benefits, Premiums, Providers and More
- Enroll in U-SHIP for the policy year
- Learn about the comparable coverage requirements to waive U-SHIP
- Waive U-SHIP for the policy year
- Learn about insurance options other than U-SHIP
- Learn why having health insurance is important and how it works
*Students registered in most academic programs that meet at the Hyde Park campus are eligible for U-SHIP and are required to either enroll in U-SHIP or waive by the deadline.
**Effective September 1, 2021, U-SHIP enrollment is required for all PhD students at the University of Chicago. As such, PhD students are not eligible to waive U-SHIP with comparable coverage. Individual student premiums will be paid for PhD students at no cost to them.