Student Health Insurance
Domestic Undergraduates
Domestic undergraduates are not required to have health insurance and are no longer required to waive out of the Student Health Insurance Plan. It is highly recommended that you are enrolled in a health and pharmacy insurance plan.
If a student wishes to voluntarily enroll in the Student Health Insurance Plan, you can do so by visiting MYAHPCARE.
Effective Fall 2025: The Student Health Insurance Plan will no longer automatically enroll domestic students or be billed through tuition. This change applies to all students, including upperclassmen beyond the Graduating Class of 2029. You now have the option to enroll directly through MYAHPCARE.
Students Required to Have Health Insurance
- Graduate students enrolled in 9 or more credit hours in an on-campus or blended delivery program
- Graduate students classified as Graduate Assistants (GAs) at all campus locations.
- All international students, regardless of credit hours enrolled
- Students enrolled in School of Medicine graduate programs
Important: Automatic Enrollment Process
Students in these required groups will be automatically enrolled in SHIP on September 9th unless they submit a waiver by September 8th.
⚠ TAKE ACTION EARLY - Don't Wait Until the Deadline ⚠
Want SHIP coverage? Enroll as soon as possible for immediate coverage activation. While automatic enrollment occurs on September 9th, early enrollment ensures faster coverage processing and immediate access to benefits
Have other insurance? You must waive out of SHIP by submitting proof of comparable coverage well before September 8th to avoid any coverage gaps
Previous SHIP enrollment does not automatically renew, but eligible students will be automatically enrolled unless they waive
Coverage Processing: Early action ensures timely coverage activation. Last-minute submissions may experience processing delays that could affect your ability to access benefits immediately.
Travel insurance plans are not accepted and will not be approved.
Coverage Information
Remember to upload your current insurance plan to MyHealthSpace. Services administered at the Student Health Center will be covered at 100% when you have the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP). Some services administered at the Student Health Center will require a $20 co-pay/visit.
Need help uploading your current insurance plan? Click here for a step-by-step guide.
Premium
|
Annual |
Fall Term |
Spring/Summer Term |
|
$3,780 |
$1,596.33 |
$2,183.67 |
Graduate assistants may receive a subsidy during the 2025-2026 academic year - check with your department.
Coverage Periods
Fall Coverage Period: August 1, 2025-December 31, 2025
Spring/Summer Coverage Period: January 1, 2026-July 31, 2026
Coverage Deadlines:
- Fall 2025 enrollment and waivers begin on Monday, June 9, 2025, and ends on Monday, September 8, 2025.
- Spring/Summer 2026 enrollment and waivers begin on Monday, November 3, 2025, and ends on Monday, February 2, 2026.
Waivers cannot be accepted after the deadline. Waivers must be completed on the MYAHPCARE.
Additional Information
The Student Health Insurance Plan through BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina is considered a Gold Plan in the insurance marketplace. A comparable plan purchased elsewhere would cost more than $460 per month, while the Student Health Plan is just over $300 per month.
You can sign up for the Student Health Insurance Plan during the year if you have a qualifying life event that causes you to lose your health insurance:
- Disqualification from parents' health plan due to age
- Losing private insurance through loss of employment or divorce
For qualifying events, please contact AHP directly at sc.myahpcare.com or 1-855-844-3015.
Family Coverage and Special Enrollment
You can enroll spouses, domestic partners and dependent children in your plan. You will be charged for their coverage separately, and not through your student account.
Students with Special Enrollment Status can choose to purchase the Student Health Insurance Plan
Independently funded post-doctoral fellows are eligible to purchase the Student Health Insurance Plan
Students have an option to purchase short term gap insurance after graduation to ensure continuous health care coverage. Please go to MYAHPCARE for more information
Access Your Coverage
To gain access to your Blue Cross Blue Shield account, your ID card, view claims information and more, download My Health Toolkit.
Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) - Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, if you are a graduate student enrolled in 9+ credit hours, a graduate assistant, an international student (regardless of credit hours), or a School of Medicine student. Domestic undergraduates are not required to have insurance but it is highly recommended.
If you're in a required group and don't submit a waiver, you will be automatically enrolled in SHIP on September 9th and charged through your tuition bill. You cannot be removed after the deadline passes.
Contact the SHIP office directly at sahiao@mailbox.sc.edu to discuss your situation. Note that waivers cannot be accepted after the September 8th deadline, so removal options may be limited.
No, previous SHIP enrollment does not automatically renew. However, if you're in a required group, you will be automatically enrolled again unless you submit a waiver by the deadline.
Early enrollment ensures faster coverage processing and immediate access to benefits. Last-minute submissions may experience processing delays that could affect your ability to access prescription medications and other healthcare services immediately.
No, travel insurance plans are not accepted and will not be approved for waiver purposes. You must have comparable health insurance coverage.
Domestic undergraduates are not required to have insurance and don't need to take any action regarding SHIP. However, you can voluntarily enroll in SHIP through MYAHPCARE if you want coverage.
Yes, all international students are required to have health insurance regardless of how many credit hours they're taking. You will be automatically enrolled in SHIP unless you waive with proof of comparable coverage.
Your insurance must provide comprehensive health coverage similar to SHIP's benefits. The waiver system will evaluate your coverage when you submit proof. Travel insurance and limited plans typically do not qualify.
Yes, you can enroll spouses, domestic partners, and dependent children in your plan. You will be charged for their coverage separately and not through your student account. Contact AHP directly for family enrollment.
If you have a qualifying life event (like losing coverage due to age limits or job loss), you can enroll in SHIP during the year. Contact AHP directly at sc.myahpcare.com or 1-855-844-3015 for qualifying events.