Waiver Information
SCU students enrolled at least half-time (and ALL F-1/J-1 visa students) are automatically enrolled in the SCU-sponsored Student Health Insurance Plan. However, you have the option to waive this enrollment if your current insurance plan meets the requirements listed below under Waiver Requirements.
Please note that it may take up to one week after registering for classes before students can access their health insurance waiver and that the health insurance charge will be reversed from the student account 3-5 business days after the waiver is approved.
Learn more about insurance at SCU, as well as answers to Frequently Asked Questions, on our Insurance home page.
Health insurance requirements for F-1 and J-1 visa students will be updated in the coming weeks.
Access to the waiver and enrollment forms, as well as additional information from Gallagher Student Health & Special Risk.
Waiver Periods and Deadlines
The waiver form must be submitted by the deadline, or the student will be automatically enrolled into SHIP and their student account will be charged. The 2026-2027 annual health insurance waiver period will open on June 17, 2026 for returning students. Incoming students will be able to access the health insurance waiver 4-5 business days after they have enrolled at least half-time. Students must submit a new waiver every academic year. Please note that J-1 visa students are NOT eligible to waive SHIP coverage.
Select your academic program below to view waiver deadlines:
Undergraduates
|
Waiver Period |
Waiver Deadlines |
|---|---|
| Annual | 9/25/2026 |
| Winter/Spring/Summer | 1/8/2027 |
| Spring/Summer | 4/2/2027 |
School of Law
| Waiver Period | Waiver Deadlines |
|---|---|
| Annual | 8/21/2026 |
|
Spring/Summer |
1/15/2027 |
Jesuit School of Theology
Waiver Period |
Waiver Deadline |
|---|---|
| Annual | 9/11/2026 |
| Spring/Summer | 2/5/2027 |
Other Graduate Programs
| Waiver Period | Waiver Deadline |
|---|---|
| Annual | 9/25/2026 |
| Winter/Spring/Summer | 1/8/2027 |
| Spring/Summer | 4/2/2027 |
Waiver Requirements
To be eligible to waive enrollment in the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP), your own health insurance plan MUST meet the requirements for Minimal Esssential Coverage (MEC). The following types of plans meet the requirements for MEC:
- Individual marketplace plans
- Employer sponsored coverage
- Medicaid & Medicare
- TRICARE & Veterans
Due to California Assembly Bill 594, Santa Clara University is required to accept health insurance plans that meet Minimum Essential Coverage (MEC). However, not all plans provide the same access to care in the Santa Clara County area.
Before submitting a health insurance waiver, we encourage you to contact your health insurance company to verify your plan's provider network, coverage area, and available healthcare options in Santa Clara County. If your plan has limited local coverage—especially if you require ongoing or specialized medical care—you should consider whether a different health insurance plan would better meet your healthcare needs while attending Santa Clara University.
The following types of insurance will NOT be accepted for waivers:
- Travel Insurance
- International plans underwritten in a country outside of the United Staets.
- Short term medical plans
- International policies including socialized medicine policies.
Waiver Verfication
All waivers will be verified to ensure they meet SCU requirements.
In order for the health insurance charge to be reversed from your student account, the waiver must be approved.
If Gallagher is not able to verify your insurance, your waiver will NOT be approved.
If your waiver is not approved, you will receive one of the following waiver state emails:
- Denied
- Pending Information
- Pending Review
- Not Submitted