Student Health Insurance Plan for GAs, GRAs, and GTAs
OVERVIEW
Florida Atlantic University’s 2025-2026 Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) for full time Graduate Assistants, Graduate Teaching Assistants, and Graduate Research Assistants (GAs, GRAs, and GTAs) will be provided through United Healthcare Insurance Company and underwritten by Insurance for Students. The Graduate College will pay for 85% of the SHIP premium cost, the remaining 15% of the premium cost will be charged to the student's FAU account each semester.
ELIGIBILITY
Graduate assistants must meet the following requirements to remain eligible for health insurance at a reduced cost:
- Maintain employment under one full time assistantship (0.50 FTE, 20 hours per week) or two half time assistantships (each must be at least 0.25 FTE, 10 hours per week);
- Maintain full-time equivalent enrollment in the Fall and Spring semesters. If the student qualified for the insurance waiver under the tuition and insurance policy in the Spring semester, enrollment in the Summer semester is not required to be eligible for the insurance waiver for the Summer semester;
- To receive the Graduate College's insurance waiver, the assistantship(s) must include a stipend and 100% tuition waiver that aligns with the Tuition Benefits Policy for Graduate Students.
Each semester, eligible students will be automatically opted into the SHIP. Students will not be enrolled into the health insurance plan before meeting the above criteria.
COST AND ENROLLMENT PROCESS
- Domestic students on assistantship will pay the below reduced amounts:
- Fall 2025 student SHIP portion: $354.15 (coverage from 08/14/2025 through 12/31/2025);
- Spring 2026 only student SHIP portion (only for students graduating in the Spring semester): $320.10 (coverage from 01/01/2026 through 05/07/2026);
- Students interested in Summer 2026 coverage only, the cost is $247.80 (coverage 05/08/2026 through 08/13/2026);
- The Graduate College will post the insurance waiver to the student's FAU account two weeks after the add/drop date for all students who opted into the SHIP;
- Students are responsible for paying the remaining portion of their insurance premium by the University’s tuition and fees deadline each semester. For Fall2025, the final day for students receiving waivers to pay their remaining balance is October 20th, 2025;
- Domestic students who wish to opt out of the health insurance plan should follow the Graduate Assistantship Health Insurance Opt-Out Instructions. The deadline to opt-out is September 12th, 2025.
International Graduate Assistants:
-
International students on assistantship will pay the reduced amounts:
- Fall 2025 student SHIP portion: $110.55 (coverage from 8/14/2025 through 12/31/2025);
- Spring 2026 student SHIP portion: $110.50 (coverage from 01/01/2026 through 05/07/2026);
- Summer 2026 student SHIP portion: $77.40 (coverage 05/08/2026 through 08/13/2026);
- In accordance with FAU Regulation 4.009, international students will be automatically enrolled in the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP). International students who wish to use an alternate insurance plan must submit a waiver form. If approved, please be aware that alternate insurance is not eligible for a 85% payment;
- The Graduate College will post the insurance waiver to the student's FAU account the two weeks after the add/drop date for all students opted into the SHIP;
- Students are responsible for paying the remaining portion of their insurance premium by the University’s tuition and fees deadline each semester. For Fall 2025, the final day for students receiving waivers to pay their remaining balance is October 20th, 2025;
SUMMARY OF BENEFITS AND COVERAGE
Eligible graduate assistants (GAs, GRAs, and GTAs) with domestic status:
Eligible graduate assistants (GAs, GRAs, and GTAs) with international status:
CONTACT
| Question Type | Contact |
|---|---|
| Insurance waiver qualification and posting to student's FAU account | gabenefits@fau.edu |
| Insurance enrollment, coverage, and website or technical support | Phone: (561) 300-5677 https://www.insuranceforstudents.com/#contact-us-form |