SHP Opt-Out/Waiver Deadlines
If you plan to use your own health insurance instead of Cornell’s Student Health Plan (SHP), you must submit and receive approval for a SHP waiver by the corresponding deadline. This page outlines crucial waiver deadlines and what to expect during the review process so you can avoid automatic SHP enrollment and billing.
SHP Waiver Deadlines
| Student | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Early Summer Start Graduate Students seeking to waive both summer and fall coverage (Waiver Effective 6/1/26) | 5/31/2026 |
| Early Summer Start Undergraduate Students at Ithaca Campus Seeking Waivers for Both Summer 2026 and Fall 2026 (Waiver Effective 6/1/26) | 7/31/2026 |
| Early Start Students at Ithaca Campus Seeking Waiver for Fall 2026 Coverage only (Waiver Effective 7/1/26) | 7/31/2026 |
| New Admit Fall Start Students (also see New Student To Do List) | 7/31/2026 |
| Fall Waiver Reverification Updates of Prior Approved Waivers (Active Coverage Check) | 7/31/2026 |
| Returning Fall Students without a Prior Waiver | 7/31/2026 |
| Returning Fall Students with Leave Date Before Spring 2026 | 7/31/2026 |
| Spring New Matriculated Students | 1/21/2027 |
| Spring Waiver Reverification of Fall Approved Waivers (Active Coverage Check) | 1/31/2027 |
| Late Registered Students | Within 30 days of SHP enrollment |
Your 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 deadline, all waivers are locked for editing. After the waiver deadline, you can only 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.