Health Insurance Requirement
Understand the UC requirement
The UC Regents require all students to have health insurance that provides local access to care (PDF) while attending UCSC. Students are automatically enrolled in and charged for the University of California Student Health Insurance Plan (UC SHIP), unless they submit an online waiver confirming they have acceptable coverage.
You may waive UC SHIP if you have private insurance that meets UC’s standards. You’ll need to submit proof and complete the online waiver each academic year to opt out.
Choose among your 3 insurance options
- UC SHIP (UC Student Health Insurance Plan)
- Your own insurance + CruzCare
- Your own private insurance
What UC SHIP Covers
- In-person care at UCSC Student Health Services and UC Health Centers statewide
- Telehealth (medical, mental health, wellness coaching)
- 24/7/365 healthcare access
- Full and year-round coverage: medical, mental health, Pharmacy, Vision, Dental, hospitalizations, specialty care, and emergencies
- No-cost contraception
- Costs billed directly to your student account
- Learn more: What is UC SHIP?
Using Your Own Insurance
You can waive UC SHIP if your private insurance:
- Covers primary and mental health care locally
- Has a provider within 50 miles of UCSC
- Covers hospitalization and specialty care
- Is not a reimbursement-based plan
- Meets UC’s out-of-pocket max/deductible limits
- International students have additional requirements
Pre-paid access to healthcare
If you waive UC SHIP, consider purchasing CruzCare—a low-cost, pre-paid plan that gives access to Student Health Services. Note: CruzCare is not insurance.
Need help choosing?
- Compare UC SHIP premiums vs. your private plan
- Review your Financial Aid package to check if UC SHIP is included
- Watch this helpful healthcare 101 video:
Financial Aid
- Our campus offers the UC Health Insurance Grant to undergraduate students who apply for financial aid, meet all deadlines, and are eligible for need-based grants. This award helps cover the cost of UC SHIP. Grant amounts vary based on financial need and can be viewed and accepted through your MyUCSC portal.
- Contact the Financial Aid Office to explore your options for covering UC SHIP premiums. The Student Health Center is not able to provide guidance on financial aid for UC SHIP.
Waiving overview
- Visit the UCSC insurance waiver webpage
- Complete the waiver worksheet
- Gather info from your insurance card, insurer’s website, or HR office
- Fill out the online waiver form and upload your insurance card
- AHP (Academic HealthPlans) will review your submission
- If accepted, UC SHIP will be removed from your bill within 10 days
- Watch AHP’s video on completing the waiver
Waiving UC SHIP?
To ensure your insurance coverage still meets the UC standards for student health insurance, you must submit a waiver each academic year.
