Health Insurance is Required
Health insurance is mandatory for all international students in F-1 and J-1 status and their accompanying dependents. The U.S. Department of State requires all J-1 exchange visitors (students, scholars, interns, etc.) and their dependents maintain health insurance. Willful violation of this mandate requires termination of the J-1 status.
Fulfilling the Health Insurance Requirement
Students must either purchase insurance through the Penn State Insurance Office or apply for a waiver by providing evidence of current health insurance coverage that meets the Penn State insurance standards.
Students are required to complete this requirement each August by the deadline established by University Health Services. There is a late fee charged to students who fail to meet the mandatory health insurance requirements by the deadline. The first time late penalty fee is $50 and the late fee is $100 the second time.
The financial guarantee required for the I-20 or DS-2019 includes the estimated amount for health insurance.
Graduate Assistants and Graduate Fellows are automatically enrolled in the Penn State insurance plan. Penn State covers 80% of the insurance premium for the graduate assistant/fellow and 70% of the premium for dependents. Students must work with Student Insurance in 302 Student Health Center to decline insurance or to add dependents.
Immunizations
All incoming undergraduate and graduate students must submit proof of immunizations prior to their arrival on campus. Visit the University Health Services website for information on required immunizations and to download the Immunization Verification Form. Using the two-step process outlined below, submit your information to myUHS prior to arriving on campus.