Student Health Insurance

Student Health Insurance Plan

A Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) is available through the university to all graduate students enrolled in at least four credits. All international students are automatically enrolled in the SHIP. The SHIP is described here. Students may enroll in the SHIP here.
The cost for SHIP premiums are available here.
Please note that as with all health insurance, in addition to the cost of premiums, there are some out-of-pocket costs (co-pays, deductibles) that apply for use of services. Graduate Students may opt into the optional student health and wellness fee, which waives all out-of-pocket costs when using Student Health Services.

Graduate students employed as Graduate Part-time Instructors (GPTI), Teaching Assistants (TA), or Research Assistants (RA) are eligible for health insurance benefits
Domestic graduate students serving as GPTIs/TAs/RAs may elect to enroll in either 1) the SHIP OR 2) the TTU employee insurance plan Employee Benefits Guide offered/administered by the Employees Retirement System of Texas (ERS). Although the plans have comparable coverage, because graduate student employees are considered half-time, those who enroll in the ERS plan must pay 50% of the premium out of pocket ($3,748 per year). The preferred option for all graduate student employees is the SHIP because of the lower out-of-pocket costs.
International graduate student employees are automatically enrolled in the [SHIP] offered by Student Health Services.
Students enrolling in the SHIP have the cost of the premium included in their student account,
which may be paid over time by enrolling in a payment plan. If problems enrolling, please email: SBS.Grad@ttu.edu.

For those who enroll in the SHIP or another plan available through the market, an allowance to help cover the cost of health insurance premiums will be paid through the payroll system (NO allowance will be provided to students in the ERS plan because the equivalent amount is paid toward the university contribution, 50%, to the premium cost).
TAs/GPTIs will be provided a one-time payment of $250 in the fall (November) and a second one-time payment (assuming appointment continues) of $250 in the spring (March).
RAs will be provided a one-time payment of $1361 in the fall (paid on their November paycheck) and a second one-time payment of $1885 (assuming appointment continues) for spring that will be included on their March paycheck (this payment also covers the summer term).
The allowance for split appointments within a semester (e.g., TA/RA) will reflect the appointment split
(e.g., .25FTE TA, 0.25FTE RA will receive ½ the TA allowance ($125) PLUS ½ the RA allowance ($680).

Student Health Services provides services for a fee; access requires payment of the student health and wellness fee ($95) each term.
Graduate students must opt into the student health and wellness fee, which will be charged to your student account.
When receiving care on campus at Student Health Services, this fee:
- Waives copayments and deductibles
- Services are covered 100% when combined with the SHIP