Health Insurance
It is mandatory for all international students in F-1 and J-1 status and for their accompanying dependents to have health insurance. Additionally, the U.S. Department of State requires that all J-1 exchange visitors (students, scholars, interns, etc.) and their dependents maintain health insurance. Willful violation of this mandate requires termination of the J-1 status.
FULFILLING THE HEALTH INSURANCE REQUIREMENT
Students must either purchase insurance through the Penn State Insurance Office or apply for a waiver by providing evidence of current health insurance coverage that meets the Penn State insurance standards.
Health insurance charges will be on the student bill in LionPATH for all international students. Students have the first week to apply for an insurance waiver if they have insurance meeting all of the waiver standards; otherwise, they will be automatically enrolled in the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) for Penn State.
The financial guarantee required for the I-20 or DS-2019 includes the estimated amount for health insurance.
Graduate Assistants and Graduate Fellows are automatically enrolled in the Penn State insurance plan. Penn State covers 80% of the insurance premium for the graduate assistant/fellow and 70% of the premium for dependents. Students must work with Student Insurance in 302 Student Health Center to decline insurance or to add dependents.
CONTACT:
Student Health Insurance
228 Bank of America Career Service Center
556 Eisenhower Road
University Park, PA 16802
Email: UHS-insurance@psu.edu
Tel.: 1-814-865-4847
