Enrollment, Billing, & Deadlines
Once an international student enrolls in courses at Penn State for the fall, spring, or summer semester, the option will appear in LionPATH to “enroll” or “waive” the SHIP for Penn State. Students who do not take action to waive or enroll by the deadline will be automatically enrolled in the SHIP for Penn State and charged the premium. All international students will see the SHIP for Penn State premium for fall added to their LionPATH account in August and for spring/summer in January. If an international student selects to waive the SHIP for Penn State and their waiver is approved, then the insurance premium charge will be removed from the LionPATH account. If an international student elects to "enroll" in the SHIP for Penn State, the student will be able to access their medical ID card sooner and the insurance email deadline reminders will cease.
The deadline to take action will be noted in the emails that students will receive from the insurance vendor. The commitment to waive or enroll is for the academic year. Students starting in the spring or summer semester will need to take action in August for the upcoming fall semester. If there is a change in circumstances, the student will need to contact the Student Health Insurance office to update their insurance information.
Students who do not take action to Waive or Enroll through LionPATH by the Fall deadline, September 3, 2024, will be automatically enrolled in the SHIP for Penn State and the health insurance premium will be charged to their student account.
By selecting Enroll in LionPATH, students will have access to their medical ID card sooner. The premium will still be charged to their student account.
Reminder: All international dependents must also have health insurance. This is completed by contacting the Student Health Insurance office to complete a waiver or to purchase the SHIP for Penn State.
Students may also choose to purchase an alternate health insurance plan as long as the plan meets all of the International Student and Dependent Waiver Standards for the Student Health Insurance Plan Links to an external site. insurance requirements. Please be aware that an alternate plan must meet ALL of the criteria to be considered acceptable. Students must submit plan details through LionPATH Links to an external site. for review and approval. If you have dependents you will need to contact the Student Health Insurance office to complete the waiver for your dependent(s).
If you decide to purchase an alternate health insurance plan, please know the following:
- Waivers are completed in the fall semester for the academic year.
- The health insurance policy must start on August 13, 2024, or the date of your arrival in the U.S. (whichever is later).
- The health insurance policy should run through August 12, 2025.
- You will need a copy of your health insurance policy in English.
- You will need a copy of your medical insurance ID card.
Remember that the insurance plan you choose must meet high standards and it is imperative that you DO NOT purchase any insurance plan until you check with the insurance carrier to confirm that the plan will meet the Penn State waiver standards Links to an external site..