Insurance
International Student Health Insurance
Students under an F or J visa are required to carry health insurance that meets the
minimum coverage requirements per Florida Board of Governor's Regulation 6.009 and
USF Regulation 6.0162
All international students studying at USF are required to have adequate health insurance
coverage. Students must complete and submit the Student Health Insurance Agreement
form to remove the SI Hold and to indicate how they will comply with USF Regulation 6.0162. For Fall 2026: The Health Insurance REQUIREMENTS HAVE CHANGED. Do not buy an alternative policy for the 2026/2027 academic year until after you
have read the updated insurance regulation and successfully completed Health Insurance 101 for international students in Canvas.
See if you have a Student Insurance (SI) Registration Hold - Release SI holds
Click HERE for a review guide.
To release a Student Insurance (SI) Registration Hold, click on either New Student
or Continuing Student (whichever applicable) for additional instructions.
Newly Admitted Students
- Fall 2026: Complete the Fall 2026 Agreement form to indicate your health insurance plan preference and remove the SI Hold. Do NOT purchase an alternative policy for 2026/2027 until you have completed Health Insurance 101 for international students in canvas.
Until they complete this form, students will have an SI hold on their accounts, which will prevent them from registering for classes. The USF Student Health and Wellness Center will remove students’ SI Registration hold approximately one business day after they complete the insurance agreement form. Students may change their preferences by completing a new insurance agreement form and are not necessarily obligated to purchase health insurance on the day they complete this form.
Continuing Students
- Fall 2026: Complete the Fall 2026 Agreement form to indicate your health insurance plan preference and remove the SI Hold. Do NOT purchase an alternative policy for 2026/2027 until you have completed Health Insurance 101 for international students in canvas.
Until they complete this form, students will have an SI hold on their accounts, which will prevent them from registering for classes. The USF Student Health and Wellness Center will remove students’ SI hold approximately one business day after they complete the insurance agreement form. Students may change their preferences by completing a new insurance agreement form and are not necessarily obligated to purchase health insurance on the day they complete this form.
International students have the option to enroll in the USF Sponsored Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) through Academic HealthPlans (AHP) OR waive out with an adequate alternative policy before the deadline.
Fall 2026:
To activate your enrollment in the USF SHIP underwritten by Aetna, you will need to
pay the premium directly through your Student Self Service account no later than no
later than August 24, 2026, by the first day of Summer classes. Tuition deferments do NOT include the insurance premium. Tuition deferment cannot
be applied to insurance premium.
- Visit usf.mycare26.com to review the 2026/2027 SHIP brochure and instructions on how to obtain your insurance card
- If you are working as an eligible GA/RA/TA, click here
USF SHIP features comprehensive coverage exceeding FL-BOG and USF's regulations.
| Policy Period - Policy In effect | Premium - Cost |
|---|---|
| Annual (8/17/26 - 8/16/27) | $2,517.00 |
| Fall (8/17/26 - 12/31/26) | $945.00 |
Waiving Sponsored Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) with an Adequate Alternate Plan
Fall semester compliance: from July 15, 2026, through August 24, 2026, you will have the opportunity to waive/opt
out of USF SHIP. You must complete the Fall Agreement form and select the option
to waive out.
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On July 15th you will be enrolled in Health Insurance 101 for International Students via Canvas, you must successfully complete this course and quiz before you can submit proof of your alternative policy to AHP.
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New students will receive an email to activate your account on care26 with AHP within 3-5 days after you successfully complete the course. One you activate your account; you can submit proof of your alternative policy.
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Returning students will need to log into your account on care26 with AHP, within 3-5 days after you successfully complete the course, to submit proof of your alternative policy.
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Allow 2-3 weeks for review/determination. Both AHP and USF must approve your policy before your Student Self-Service account is updated and the premium fee removed.
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Please note: returning students cannot have a gap (lapse) in coverage.
Submit adequate documentation to AHP from July 15, 2026, through August 24, 2026. Alternative policies purchased/submitted on or after 11:59PM on August 24, 2026, will not be considered /reviewed for the 2026/2027 academic year. You WILL be required to purchase the USF Sponsored Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) for Fall semester.
Students under an F or J visa
The Health Insurance REQUIREMENTS HAVE CHANGED. Once you review the new requirements,
have your health insurance company complete the USF Insurance Compliance (Waiver) form and submit it to AHP, along with the front and back of your insurance card and policy
brochure for review no later than August 24, 2026.
- Returning students cannot have a gap (lapse) in coverage; you are required to have continuous health insurance coverage.
- Your policy must provide coverage for the entire academic year, even if you are planning to graduate and/or leave the country.
Students under a non-F or J visa
You must submit a copy of the front and back of your health insurance card to AHP for review:
- You must have active health insurance for the entire semester.
Please note: the USF premium will not be removed from your Student Self Service account
unless your policy meets the minimum requirements of the mandate and is officially
approved by AHP and USF.
In the meantime, when paying tuition and fees, subtract the insurance premium from
your total and pay the remaining amount. If left unpaid, the insurance premium fee
on your account will not generate a late fee.
If you are experiencing issues with uploading proof of your alternative policy, please
contact Academic HealthPlans (AHP) at (888) 896-5797 or click here.
- DACA students may attach a copy of their current Notice of Action I-797 to the agreement form
- Sponsored students may attach a copy of their sponsorship letter and/or health insurance card to the agreement form.
Click here for some frequently asked questions.
Click here for commonly used insurance terms.
Contact Us
Telephone: 813-974-2331, option 5
Fax: (813) 974-8910
TAMPA OFFICE HOURS MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY FROM 8AM TO 5PM, ENTRANCE C
PHONE LINES AVAILABLE MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY FROM 10AM TO 4PM