SHP Costs & Dates (2026-27)

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 dependent may choose to enroll in the plan for any reason. When the open enrollment period has ended, 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, debit card, or ACH transfer. Dependent coverage cannot be billed to your bursar account.

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.