Texas Tech University

Student Health Insurance

Student Health Insurance Plan

Graduate Student Employees

  • 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
  • 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.
  • Students enrolling in the SHIP have the cost of the premium included in their student account, which may be paid all at once or over time by enrolling in a payment plan. If problems enrolling, please email: SBS.Grad@ttu.edu.

Health Insurance Allowances for Graduate Student Employees

  • 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 an expected one-time payment of $1229 in the fall (paid on their November paycheck) and a second expected one-time payment of $1701 (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. for fall, .25FTE TA, 0.25FTE RA will receive ½ the TA allowance ($125) PLUS ½ the RA allowance ($610)

 

Enrollment in an Insurance Plan

  • For the SHIP:
    • Fall - 06/18/2025 - 09/18/2025 (Installment option ends 09/18/2025)
    • Spring/Summer - 11/20/2025 - 02/19/2026 (Installment option ends 01/31/2026)
    • Summer Only - 05/01/2026 - 06/17/2026
  • For the Employees Retirement System (ERS) plan:
    • Newly appointed positions have 60 days to enroll in Health and 30 for other coverage
    • If in a current assistantship position, elections must be made during yearly summerenrollment or a Qualifying Life Event

 

Texas Tech University Health and Wellness Fee

  • 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 through Student Business Services , 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