Who Needs Health Insurance?

Student Health Insurance Requirement

Health insurance is an important part of helping students stay healthy, supported, and able to focus on their education. Cornell University’s student health insurance requirement means that students must have health insurance that meets university criteria, either through a qualifying outside health insurance plan or through Cornell’s Student Health Plan (SHP) insurance.  

The goal is to make sure students access quality medical and mental health care when they need it and to reduce the risk that unexpected health care costs become a barrier to their well-being and success. 

You are subject to Cornell University’s student health insurance requirement if you are a currently registered student in an academic program that requires ongoing in-person attendance. 

You are still subject to the student health insurance requirement if  
(a) you are studying abroad, or  
(b) you are in academic absentia status.  

You are not subject to the student health insurance requirement if any of these apply:  
(a) you are not a currently registered student,  
(b) you have zero academic credits, 
(c) your current status is Leave of Absence (LOA),   
(d) your academic program is fully remote/online,  
(e) your academic program’s required in-person attendance is limited to short-term residencies, intensives, and/or weekend blocks, 
(f) you are a student in the School of Continuing Education with less than 12 credits in fall/spring or less than 6 credits in summer, 
(g) you are a domestic (non-international) student in a Precollege Summer Program, or 
(h) you are eligible for Cornell employee health benefits. 

Important: Only students who are subject to Cornell University’s student health insurance requirement may enroll in Cornell’s Student Health Plan (SHP) insurance.