Answered July 2026

You have several valid options: $0 BU-funded SHIP if you’re a qualifying PhD; otherwise 2026 ConnectorCare or MassHealth (if eligible), a U.S.-based waiver plan, or BU’s $4,054 SHIP.

“I am an international student at BU. What are my options for affordable health insurance?”

Summary

You aren’t stuck paying full price: some PhD students pay $0, undergrads can appeal, and 2026 public options can cut costs. The key is matching your case and meeting the waiver or special‑enrollment deadlines.

Your cheapest valid route depends on whether BU funds your SHIP, whether you qualify for 2026 public assistance, and whether another U.S. plan can pass BU’s waiver.

Use standard BU SHIPsimplest

For most students, 2026–27 costs $4,054 and runs August 15, 2026–August 14, 2027. BU automatically enrolls students who must have insurance, making this the simplest route when no cheaper waiver plan is available (BU SHIP Eligibility page) [1].

Use BU-funded PhD SHIP$0 eligible

If you are a PhD student receiving a full stipend and within BU’s funding guarantee, the 2024–27 BUGWU agreement says BU continues to provide the student health plan at no cost through August 31, 2027 (BUGWU CBA art. 23.2, 30.1) [9].

Seek BU help with SHIPundergrads

If you are an undergraduate who cannot waive SHIP, first attempt the waiver and then file BU’s Undergraduate SHIP Cost Appeal by October 2, 2026. The page sets process and deadline but does not publish award amounts (BU SHIP Cost Appeal) [10].

Buy a 2026 ConnectorCare plan2026 only

If you live in Massachusetts, are lawfully present, expect 2026 household income in range, and will file federal taxes, ConnectorCare can be much cheaper. For a one-person household in 2026 the published range is $15,650–$62,600, and premiums can be as low as $0, $53, $103, $152, or $235 per month by plan type [5]. Outside open enrollment, you must enroll within 60 days of a such as a permanent move to Massachusetts [7]. A subsidized Connector plan must be granted a school waiver under 956 CMR 8.05(2)(b) [3]. Plan separately for 2027 because ordinary F‑1/J‑1 status will not qualify for APTC/ConnectorCare then [6].

Use MassHealth if under 21under 21

If you are under 21 and otherwise meet financial rules, Massachusetts says a lawfully present F‑1 or J‑1 student may qualify for comprehensive MassHealth benefits [8]. Schools must waive SHIP when a student is enrolled in MassHealth under 956 CMR 8.05(2)(b) [3].

Waive with another U.S. planif comparable

An employer, spouse, parent, or individually purchased plan can work if it is U.S.-underwritten and meets BU’s rules. Submit via MyBU/Gallagher by the deadline and await the decision (BU Waiver page) [2].

Use a foreign or home-country plannot for you

This does not waive BU SHIP while you study in Massachusetts. The regulation bars waivers for insurance from carriers outside the U.S. or foreign national health services, except when the student is studying in that foreign country (956 CMR 8.05(2)(c)2) [3].

Do not compare premiums alone: an alternative must satisfy the Massachusetts and BU waiver rules for the entire relevant period.

Read the full explanation

Watch out for

September 20 waiver deadlineFor fall eligibility, submit BU’s annual waiver by September 20; January 31 is only for students who first become eligible in spring. BU requires the replacement plan to be U.S.-underwritten and to meet rules [2].

Foreign plans usually cannot waive SHIPMassachusetts bars waivers based on coverage from insurers outside the U.S. or foreign national health services while you study in Massachusetts; exception only if you are studying in that foreign country [3].

2027 subsidy cliff for F‑1/J‑1 studentsYou can still buy Connector coverage, but starting January 1, 2027 you won’t qualify for or unless you have LPR, CHE, or COFA status [6].

Outside OE, you need a qualifying eventIf you’re applying mid‑year, you need a 60‑day window (for example, a permanent move to Massachusetts) to enroll through the Connector [7].

Tax filing is required for creditsInternational students must file a federal return to receive premium tax credits on the Connector [4].

Medical Campus prices/dates may differBU’s standard $4,054 and Aug 15–Aug 14 dates apply to most, but BU notes variations (“for most”), so Medical Campus programs should confirm what’s posted to their account [1].

Next steps

Follow these steps in order to secure the least expensive plan BU will accept without a coverage gap.

Before buying anything

Identify your BU and public‑benefit branch

Use $4,054 as the standard 2026–27 BU comparison price for most students [1]. If you are a fully funded PhD within the funding guarantee, use the CBA’s $0 SHIP route [9]. If you are under 21, include MassHealth as a possible comprehensive‑coverage route [8].

Requirements

Your BU school/program and student account SHIP charge

Your age

Your visa or other immigration status

Your 2026 tax‑household size and expected household income

Whether you are a PhD student receiving a full stipend within the funding guarantee

Within 60 days of your qualifying event

Apply for 2026 Connector or MassHealth coverage if eligible

Apply at https://www.mahealthconnector.org/start. Outside open enrollment, you must report the event and choose a plan within 60 days; a permanent move to Massachusetts counts [7]. If you expect to use premium credits, plan to file a federal return [4].

Requirements

Massachusetts residence

Immigration document for each non‑U.S. citizen applicant

2026 household‑income estimate

Proof of a qualifying event if applying outside open enrollment

By September 20 for fall

Submit BU’s waiver for any replacement plan

In MyBU, open the Dashboard, select Student Health Insurance, choose Waive SHIP, and complete Gallagher’s form. Submit it by September 20 for fall or January 31 for spring entrants; BU requires the plan be underwritten in the U.S. and meet comparable coverage [2].

Requirements

Active replacement‑policy information

Proof the plan is U.S.-underwritten and comparable

MyBU login

By October 2, 2026

File the BU SHIP Cost Appeal if you are an undergraduate

If BU won’t waive SHIP and you can’t afford it, submit the Undergraduate SHIP Cost Appeal by 10/2/26; BU’s page sets process but not award amounts [10].

Requirements

A prior attempted SHIP waiver

The BU Undergraduate SHIP Cost Appeal form

Before year‑end 2026

Prepare for the 2027 subsidy change

If your only status is F‑1 or J‑1, do not expect APTC or ConnectorCare after 12/31/2026. The Connector limits help in 2027 to LPR, CHE, or COFA statuses [6]. Compare 2027 options accordingly.

Requirements

Your 2027 immigration category

A full‑price 2027 Connector quote or another BU‑approved plan

Others who faced this

You are not the first to go through this. Here is how it went for others who asked the same thing.

Warning for students considering Gradly Health Insurance

u/Ok_Antelope_7285r/f1visaDec 29, 2025

I have come across some reports of bad experiences by students using Gradly Health insurance so make sure you know this before you pay their deposit: 1. Their payment methods are not as flexible as their website suggests - they will immediately demand full payment of the premium once the insurance cover is approved by your school. 2. They will refuse to cancel cover even if your school has rejected the cover, and will demand money from you, daily. Make sure not to submit your main banking details or else they will make a deduction. 3. While you contest any issue before paying the premiu

6 View on Reddit

Legal sources

Facts come from Boston University Student Health Services/Financial Assistance, the Massachusetts SHIP regulation (956 CMR 8.00), the Massachusetts Health Connector, and MassHealth.

BU SHIP Eligibility & Coverage Options

Sets BU’s standard 2026–27 SHIP premium and usual coverage period.

BU SHIP Eligibility & Coverage Options

SHIP Coverage Dates and Rates

The standard annual rate for 2026-2027 is $4,054. For most, coverage begins on August 15 and ends on August 14 of the following year.

Read the full text

BU SHIP Waiver Instructions

Requires U.S.-underwriting and sets BU’s annual waiver deadlines.

BU SHIP Waiver Instructions

Waive SHIP

To waive SHIP coverage, you must be enrolled in a healthcare plan that meets comparable coverage requirements and is underwritten in the United States. Waivers must be submitted every year by the Fall deadline (September 20) or Spring deadline (January 31).

Read the full text

956 CMR 8.00

The controlling Massachusetts SHIP rule: mandatory SHIP or comparable coverage, foreign-plan exclusion, and required waiver for subsidized Connector coverage or MassHealth.

956 CMR 8.00

8.03(1); 8.05(2)(b); 8.05(2)(c)2

Every Student enrolled in a certificate, diploma or degree-granting program of higher education must participate in his or her School's Student Health Insurance Program or in a Health Benefit Plan with comparable coverage. A School may not waive participation for: Students with coverage from insurance Carriers outside the U.S. and coverage by foreign National Health Service programs, unless the Student is studying in a foreign country and the Student's insurance provides coverage in that location; School permitting Students to waive participation in the School's Student Health Insurance Program must waive participation for Students enrolled in a subsidized Health Benefit Plan through the Connector or enrolled in MassHealth.

Read the full text

Health Connector Student Health Insurance Program

Confirms international students may buy Connector plans and must file taxes for premium credits.

Health Connector Student Health Insurance Program

For Schools

An international student who is lawfully present in the United States and is a resident of Massachusetts can buy a plan through the Health Connector. To qualify for premium tax credits, an international student will also have to file federal income taxes.

Read the full text

2026 Consumer Guide to Subsidies

Provides the 2026 one-person income range and the lowest ConnectorCare monthly premiums.

2026 Consumer Guide to Subsidies

2026 Yearly Income Guidelines; ConnectorCare Plans and Advance Premium Tax Credits

Household size 1: $15,650-$62,600. ConnectorCare monthly premiums per person can be as low as: $0 per month for Plan Type 2A; $53 per month for Plan Type 2B; $103 per month for Plan Type 3A; $152 per month for Plan Type 3B; $235 per month for Plan Type 3C.

Read the full text

Health Connector Updates

Dated rule narrowing noncitizen eligibility for APTC/ConnectorCare starting 2027.

Health Connector Updates

Federal Changes to Noncitizen Eligibility for Federal Advance Premium Tax Credits and ConnectorCare

Effective Date: January 1, 2027. Due to changes in federal law, in 2027, certain noncitizens will no longer qualify for Advance Premium Tax Credits (APTC) or ConnectorCare. To be eligible for help paying for health coverage (i.e., APTC or ConnectorCare), a noncitizen must have one of the following statuses: Lawful permanent resident (LPR), also known as a green card holder; Cuban and Haitian Entrant (CHE); Compact of Free Association (COFA) migrant.

Read the full text

Health Connector Special Enrollment Period

Sets the 60‑day SEP deadline and lists permanent move as a qualifying event.

Health Connector Special Enrollment Period

Special Enrollment Period; Types of Qualifying Events

You must report changes and choose a plan within 60 days of the qualifying life event to buy a health insurance plan outside of open enrollment through the Health Connector. Change in residency, such as a permanent move to Massachusetts, gains access to new plans as a result of a permanent move within the state, or release from jail or prison.

Read the full text

MassHealth Information for Noncitizens

Identifies F‑1/J‑1 as lawfully present and explains potential comprehensive MassHealth for under‑21s who meet financial rules.

MassHealth Information for Noncitizens

Lawfully Present Immigrants; Children under age 21

A Nonqualified Individual Lawfully Present is a person with a valid nonimmigrant VISA such as B1/B2 (tourism and work), J1 (exchange), or F1 (student) Visas, or employment authorization documentation (I-766). Children under age 21 who are Lawfully Present Immigrants or Nonqualified PRUCOLs may be eligible for a comprehensive MassHealth benefit that includes services such as hospital and doctor's visits, pharmacy, and behavioral health if they are otherwise eligible and meet financial guidelines.

Read the full text

BUGWU CBA 2024–2027

Confirms no‑cost SHIP for fully funded PhD students and the agreement term.

BUGWU CBA 2024–2027

Article 23.2; Article 30.1

The University will continue to offer student health plans to all PhD students receiving full stipends and within the funding guarantee at no cost. This Agreement shall be in full force and effect from the date of ratification to August 31, 2027.

Read the full text

BU Undergraduate SHIP Cost Appeal

Shows the sequence and deadline for undergraduates seeking help with the BU SHIP premium.

BU Undergraduate SHIP Cost Appeal

Undergraduate SHIP Cost Appeal

If you are unable to waive SHIP, you can then submit a SHIP Cost Appeal. The deadline to submit a SHIP Cost Appeal for the academic year SHIP Plan is 10/2/26. You must attempt to waive BU SHIP before completing this form.

Read the full text

These are the official rules and plan terms as published on the cited dates; insurance, subsidy, and immigration-status rules can change.

This is general information about official processes, not legal advice, and SettleKit is not a law firm.

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