Summer 2026 Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) Requirement
New International students and other non-domestic adults registering for Summer Term 2026
NOTE: Summer High School Programs: Participants in the Summer High School Program are not automatically enrolled in SHIP.
- If you would like coverage, contact us at insmed@bu.edu at least three weeks before your Summer High School program begins for instructions how to enroll in SHIP.
Overview
All new international college students and other international (non-domestic) adults enrolled in college courses for Summer Term 2026 are required to maintain health insurance coverage.
Eligible students are:
- Automatically enrolled in Boston University’s Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP)
- Automatically charged for SHIP as part of registration
Students enrolled solely in online courses are not eligible for SHIP and are not assessed the insurance charge.
Waiver Option
International students assessed for BU SHIP with their Summer 2026 tuition and fee may apply to waive SHIP if they are enrolled in a comparable U.S.-based, ACA-compliant health insurance plan.
Summer 2026 Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) requirement
Who This Applies To
This policy applies to:
- International students and other non-domestic adults students
- Registered for Summer Term 2026
This policy does not apply to:
- Students enrolled only in online courses
- Students registered solely for online only courses are not eligible for SHIP.
- Students registered for Fall 2025 or Spring 2026
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- Students already assessed for the SHIP Fall 2025 annual plan or the SHIP Spring through Summer 2026 plan are not charged again for SHIP Summer 2026
Insurance Requirement
All eligible international students and other non-domestic adults must have health insurance.
If you are registered for Summer 2026 and did not attend Fall 2025, nor Spring 2026:
- You are automatically enrolled in Boston University’s Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP).
- A Summer SHIP charge is automatically added to your student account.
Can I Waive SHIP?
You may apply for a waiver if you have (all three):
- The insurance plan is underwritten in the U.S.
- The insurance plan is ACA Compliant
- The coverage meets the Comparable Coverage Checklist requirements (see www.bu.edu/shs/ship/)
If approved, the SHIP charge will be removed.
How to Request a Waiver
- Download the Summer 2026 SHIP Waiver Form.
- Complete all required sections.
- Attach a copy of the front and back of your insurance card.
- Submit by the deadline listed under your coverage period below.
The Comparable Coverage Checklist may be viewed at https://www.bu.edu/shs/insurance/enroll-waive-or-change-coverage/.
The Summer 2026 insurance waiver is not available at Gallagher’s site.
Coverage Options and Costs
Summer 12-Week Plan
For students whose first course begins in Summer Session 1
- Coverage: May 17, 2026 – August 14, 2026
- Cost (Basic Plan): $872
- Waiver Deadline: June 2, 2026
Students attending only Summer Session 1 may request to change to the six-week plan (see below).
Summer 1 – Six-Week Plan
Option for students attending Summer Session 1 only
- Coverage: May 17, 2026 – June 27, 2026
- Cost (Basic Plan): $407
- Waiver Deadline: June 2, 2026
- Deadline to request change from 12-week to Summer 1 6-week plan: June 27, 2026
To request a change to Summer 1 only coverage: email your request to:
Student Financials
Email: insmed@bu.edu
(include your BU id number)
Summer 2 – Six-Week Plan
For students whose first course begins in Summer Session 2
- Coverage: June 28, 2026 – August 14, 2026
- Cost (Basic Plan): $465
- Waiver Deadline: July 14, 2026
Special Situations
August Start Students
If your first summer course begins in August, contact Student Financials at insmed@bu.edu before your course begins to discuss your insurance options.
Summer CELOP Students (both CELOP college and CELOP high school students)
- Refer to the CELOP website for specific SHIP rates and coverage dates.
- Waiver deadline: First week of class.
Summer High School Program Participants (except CELOP)
- You are not automatically enrolled in SHIP.
Contact:
insmed@bu.edu
at least three weeks before your Summer High School program begins for instructions how to enroll in SHIP.
Important Deadlines Summary
- June 2, 2026 – Waiver deadline (Summer 12-week and Summer 1 six-week plans)
- June 27, 2026 – Deadline to request change from 12-week to 6-week coverage (Summer 1 only six week students only)
- July 14, 2026 – Waiver deadline (Summer 2 six-week plan-Summer 2 only students)
- First week of class – CELOP waiver deadline