2025-2026 Rates and Dates
Important: Rates for the 2025-2026 academic year are not yet final. Estimates are provided below for planning purposes only. This page will be updated upon approval of our rate by the New York State Department of Financial Services.
Academic Year Coverage Dates and Cost
Student Coverage Rates Full Year (12 Month) Coverage ESTIMATE: $3,960-$4,080
Student Status | Coverage Dates | Fall Bill | Spring Bill |
---|---|---|---|
August 2025 Graduates | 7/1/2025 - 8/31/2025 | Approx.: $660-$680 (billed to summer term) | n/a |
Fall 2025 New Students | 8/1/2025 - 6/30/2026 | Approx: $1,650-$1,700 | Approx: $1,980-$2,040 |
Fall 2025 Returning Students (including students starting Summer 2025) and all Fully-funded Graduate Students | 7/1/2025 - 6/30/2026 | Approx: $1,980-$2,040 | Approx: $1,980-$2,040 |
Spring 2026 New Students & Students Returning From Leave | 1/1/2026 - 6/30/2026 | n/a | Approx: $1,980-$2,040 |
Dependent Coverage Rates & Dates
Dependent Coverage Type(s) | July Start (7/1/2025 - 6/30/2026) | August Start (8/1/2025 - 6/30/2026) |
---|---|---|
Spouse/Domestic Partner | Approx. $3,960-$4,080 | Approx. $3,300-$3,400 |
One Child | Approx. $3,960-$4,080 | Approx. $3,300-$3,400 |
Two or More Children | Approx. $7,920-$8,160 | Approx. $6,600-$6,800 |
Dependent Enrollment Deadlines
Population(s) | Deadline |
---|---|
| 8/31/2025 |
| 1/31/2026 |
| Within 30 days of student SHP enrollment |
| Within 30 days of event |
See the Dependent Enrollment section for instructions on enrolling dependents and payment. Coverage dates for dependents are the same as for students unless the dependent is enrolled outside open enrollment due to a qualifying life event.
Open enrollment is when any eligible person may choose to enroll in the plan for any reason. When the open enrollment period has ended, you or your dependent must show that you have recently experienced a qualifying life event to enroll.
Coverage for dependents will not be activated until a request for SHP coverage is processed by Gallagher and payment for the first semester of coverage is received by credit card or eCheck. Dependent coverage cannot be billed to your bursar account.
Waiver Deadlines
Student | Deadline |
---|---|
Early Start Students at NYC Tech Campus (continuing in Fall 2025) | 5/31/2025 |
Early Start Students at Ithaca Campus Seeking Waivers for Both Summer 2025 and Fall 2025 (Waiver Effective 6/1/25) | 7/31/2025 |
Early Start Students at Ithaca Campus Seeking Waiver for Fall 2025 Coverage only (Waiver Effective 7/1/25) | 7/31/2025 |
New Admit Fall Start Students (also see New Student To Do List) | 7/31/2025 |
Fall Waiver Reverification Updates of Prior Approved Waivers (Active Coverage Check) | 7/31/2025 |
Returning Fall Students with Leave Date Before Spring 2025 | 7/31/2025 |
Spring New Matriculated Students | 1/21/2026 (Additional documentation, if required after initial submission, is due 1/31/2026.) |
Spring Waiver Reverification of Fall Approved Waivers (Active Coverage Check) | 1/31/2026 |
Late Registered Students | Within 30 days of SHP enrollment |
Waiver Deadlines waiver must be approved every academic semester you are an active student. Waiver submission does not guarantee approval. It is your responsibility to monitor your waiver status and to update your waiver by the deadline. Log in to Gallagher Student Health to check your waiver status. For more information on waiving, visit our pages on Eligibility to Waive and How Do I Waive.
For any waiver submitted by the deadline that could meet the requirements but needs additional information for approval, the student will receive a message from Gallagher Student Health requesting additional information. After the waiver update deadline as listed above, all waivers are locked for editing. You can submit a termination of coverage request to receive a pro-rated refund.
Coming back from leave?
Due to the complexity of returning from leave of absence, any student returning from leave who is planning to waive SHP is strongly encouraged to contact our office at studentbenefits@cornell.edu as soon as their return date has been formally confirmed.
Continuation of Deadlines, Dates, and Cost
Graduation Status | When to Request and Pay* | Dates of Coverage | Cost |
---|---|---|---|
August 2025 Graduates with Summer Credits | 7/1/2025 - 10/31/2025 | 9/1/2025 - 11/30/2025 | Approx: $990-$1,020 |
August 2025 Graduates without Summer Credits | 6/1/2025 - 8/31/2025 | 7/1/2025 - 9/30/2025 | Approx: $990-$1,020 |
December 2025 Graduates | 12/1/2025- 2/28/2026 | 1/1/2026 - 3/31/2026 | Approx: $990-$1,020 |
May 2026 Graduates | 6/1/2026 - 8/31/2026 | 7/1/2026 - 9/30/2026 | TBA |
*If you receive notice that your coverage has ended after the last day your were covered, your deadline to request and pay for coverage will be extended to 60 days following the date of our notification to you.
For more information, see our Continuation of SHP Options for Recent Graduates page.