Eligibility: Student Health Benefit Plan

Students & Scholars

Student Health Benefit Plan (SHBP)

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Eligible University of Minnesota Students

Eligible students must be:

  • Admitted to a University of Minnesota degree program
  • Registered for six or more credits that count toward the automatic assessment of the Student Services Fee (SSF)

Students who meet both of these criteria are automatically enrolled in the University-sponsored Student Health Benefit Plan. Students may choose to waive (opt-out of) the SHBP by providing proof of enrollment in an alternative eligible health insurance plan.

Please be aware that requesting that the SSF be added to your student account will not make you eligible for enrollment in the Student Health Benefit Plan. The SSF must be automatically assessed based on your registration.

Students are not eligible if using:

  • Regents Tuition Benefits Program
  • Senior Citizen Education Program (SCEP)

International Students

The University of Minnesota requires all international students and their dependents to enroll in the University-sponsored Student Health Benefit Plan unless they are eligible for a waiver.

International Scholars

Scholars visiting the University for longer than 31 days are required to enroll in the University-sponsored Student Health Benefit Plan. Scholars must contact the Office of Student Health Benefits to complete enrollment materials within 31 days of their arrival. Scholars visiting 31 days or less may choose not to enroll in the SHBP, but are required to carry their own health plan coverage for the duration of their visit. This coverage must meet J-1 visa U.S. federal regulation requirements.

J Interns are required to enroll in the University-sponsored Student Health Benefit Plan regardless of the duration of their stay.

All Health Plans

Dependent Eligibility

You can enroll your dependents:

  • At the same time you are initially eligible;
  • Within 31 days of involuntary loss of other coverage;
  • Within 31 days of marriage, birth, or adoption;
  • If on a University of Minnesota sponsored visa, within 31 days of a recent arrival into the US or during the open enrollment period.

Definition of Eligible Dependents

Listed below are the individuals who are considered eligible dependents:

Relationship to Primary MemberCriteria for Coverage
SpouseMust be legally married
Dependent ChildDependent child - birth through age 25 (up to the 26th birthday)

An eligible child can include your unmarried or married biological child, legally adopted child or child placed for purposes of adoption, foster child, stepchild, or any other child state or federal law requires be treated as a dependent.

Note: The spouse of your eligible married dependent child is not eligible for coverage.