Graduate Insurance Options for International Students
ISO-Care for SHU International Graduate Students
Required Health Insurance Starting Fall 2025 for International Graduate Students
Starting with the 2025-2026 academic year, and effective from fall 2025, it will be mandatory for all international F-1 visa graduate students to have the University health insurance plan. All enrolled graduate F1 visa students will be automatically enrolled in the health plan through ISO Student Health Insurance. Students will be enrolled for the duration of their academic program at SHU and the insurance fees will be posted on their student accounts.
You may be eligible to waive out of the University-sponsored insurance plan if you have active health insurance through your home country embassy (e.g. SACM) or parent/spouse’s U.S.-based employer plan. Travel insurance plans will not be accepted as a waiver.
If you have a plan that meets the waiver requirements listed above, you can apply for a waiver here:
ISO SHU Health Insurance Waiver Form (waiver deadline is 9/15/2025)
For waiver-related questions, email: waivers@isoa.org
Why is health insurance important in the US?
The high cost of health care in the U.S. exposes international students to financial risks in case of illness or injury. Requiring all international students to enroll in the school-sponsored health plan from ISO helps protect against high medical costs and potential disruptions to academic progress.
Contact ISO Student Health Insurance
If you have specific questions regarding the insurance plan, please contact ISO at 1-800-244-1180 (Monday–Friday, 9 a.m. through 6 p.m. EST) or email ISO customer care.
Questions can also be directed to gradstudentaffairs@sacredheart.edu.