Is health insurance required?

All international students in F-1 or J-1 status studying at Penn State must have health insurance for the entire period of study. Any F-2 or J-2 accompanying dependents must also carry health insurance.  Your health insurance must meet the Penn State requirements: https://studentaffairs.psu.edu/requirements-international-students . Moreover, the US Department of State requires all J-1 exchange visitors and their dependents to maintain health insurance; willful violation of this mandate requires termination of the J-1 status.

Students must purchase Penn State Health Insurance plan or apply for a waiver by providing evidence of having health insurance that meets the waiver standards. The charge for health insurance will be placed on the student’s Bursar account.

The financial guarantee required to obtain the DS-2019 includes the amount for health insurance. Questions regarding insurance or waivers should be sent to: UHS-insurance@psu.edu