Enrolling, Waiving, or Changing Your Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP)
If you are a degree-seeking student in a residential program taking 7 or more credits, you are automatically enrolled in the Tufts Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) — unless you submit a waiver by the deadline.
Below are the steps to keep, waive, or change your coverage, including how to add eligible family members or stay on SHIP during a leave of absence.
How Enrollment Works
You do not need to take any action to enroll if you meet the eligibility criteria above. The SHIP premium is automatically added to your student account in early July.
- Coverage dates: August 20 through August 19 of the following year.
- Mandatory Health and Wellness Fee: Students enrolled in SHIP are also charged the separate Health and Wellness Fee, which supports on-campus health and counseling services. http://go.tufts.edu/SHAWFee
- Plan details: uhcsr.com/tufts
- Vision and other benefits: Learn more about health plan benefits.
If you want to add eligible family members to your plan, see Adding Family Members below.
How to Waive SHIP
If you already have U.S.- based health insurance that meets Massachusetts Minimum Creditable Coverage (MCC) standards, you can waive SHIP for the academic year. The deadline to submit the waiver form is July 31, 2025. Waivers submitted after this date may not be accepted.
- Log in at go.tufts.edu/sis under the Bills & Balances tab.
- Complete the waiver form.
- Upload a clear picture of your insurance card.
When your waiver is approved, you’ll see a credit on your SIS account within 3 business days and get a confirmation email. For more tips and detailed instructions on how to avoid common waiver problems, visit the Using Private Insurance & Waiving Ship page.
Making Changes to Your Coverage
If You Are Not Enrolled and Need to Enroll Mid-Year
If you experience a qualifying life event, you may enroll mid-year by contacting us within 60 days of losing other coverage.
Examples of Qualifying Events
- Loss of other health insurance coverage
- Turning 26 and aging out of a parent’s plan
How to Request Mid-Year Enrollment
- Email studenthealthinsurance@tufts.edu
- Include: your student ID, type of coverage you lost, and the date it ended
We will review your request and let you know the next steps.
If You Are Already Enrolled and Want to Cancel
Once enrolled in SHIP, you cannot cancel for personal, academic, or financial reasons — even if you obtain other insurance — except in these limited situations:
- Called to active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces during the coverage term
- Enrolled in SHIP despite being ineligible
How to Request Cancellation
- Email studenthealthinsurance@tufts.edu
- Include your student ID and documentation of military activation or ineligibility
Adding Family Members
You can purchase coverage for a spouse, domestic partner, or dependent child within 30 days of the semester start or qualifying event.
How to Add Family Members
- Log in to uhcsr.com/tufts
- Complete the dependent enrollment form
- Pay the premium directly to UnitedHealthcare
For current rates and details, visit uhcsr.com/tufts.
Staying on SHIP During a Medical Leave
If you are enrolled in SHIP before taking a medical leave of absence, you may keep your SHIP coverage for up to one year from the start of the medical leave. Coverage is not automatic — you must contact studenthealthinsurance@tufts.edu to confirm eligibility. On-campus services (Health Service and Counseling & Mental Health) are not available while on leave, but you can use the SHIP provider network for off-campus care. Coverage may continue for up to one year; after that, you may lose eligibility.
Tuition insurance is separate from health insurance but can help protect your finances if you need to withdraw mid-semester for medical reasons.
Need Help?
- Medford/Somerville Students: studenthealthinsurance@tufts.edu
- Boston/Grafton Students: Contact SAHA
- Help & Contacts