Clemson Health Insurance Waiver Guide for International Students

If you're an international student at Clemson University, health insurance is required. All full-time students must either enroll in Clemson’s Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) or waive it with a qualifying alternative plan.

The key thing to know: choosing the right alternative plan can save you thousands each year.

Clemson Health Insurance Requirement

Clemson University requires international students studying in the U.S. to maintain active health insurance that meets specific coverage standards. At the start of each academic year, a SHIP charge is automatically added to your student account.

You have two options:

• Stay enrolled in the Clemson SHIP and pay the full annual premium
• Waive the SHIP by submitting proof of a comparable plan that meets requirements

Clemson SHIP Waiver Requirements

To successfully waive Clemson’s SHIP, your insurance plan must meet standard university criteria, including:

• Coverage through a U.S.-based insurance provider
• Unlimited annual and lifetime benefits
• Coverage for inpatient, outpatient, emergency, and mental health services
• A deductible typically under $5,000
• Coverage for pre-existing conditions
• Active coverage for the full academic term

Important: Your insurance must be active before arriving in Clemson, South Carolina, or your waiver may not be approved.

How to Waive the Clemson SHIP Using an ISO Plan

ISO plans are designed to meet Clemson’s waiver requirements.

1. Go to isoa.org and find the Clemson University page. Select your plan and set your start date.
2. Enroll online in just a few minutes. Your ID card and confirmation documents are sent instantly.
3. Log into your Clemson student portal and access the insurance waiver section.
4. Upload your ISO insurance ID card and submit your waiver.

Once approved, the SHIP charge will be removed from your account.

Clemson SHIP vs. ISO Plans: Side-by-Side

Feature	Clemson SHIP	ISO Share	ISO Care	ISO Care Elite
Annual Cost (Student)	~$2,800	$969	$1,089	$1,629
Deductible	$0	$1,250	$500	$40
Coinsurance (In-Network)	Varies	80%	80%	90%
Annual Maximum	Varies	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited
Pre-existing Conditions	Covered	Covered	Covered	Covered
Preventive Care	100% In-Network	100% In-Network	100% In-Network	100% In-Network
Mental Health Coverage	Covered	Covered	Covered	Covered
Medical Evacuation	Included	$100,000	$100,000	$100,000
Clemson Waiver Eligible	N/A	Yes	Yes	Yes
Savings	$0	~$1,831	~$1,711	~$1,171

Access to Care in Clemson, South Carolina

ISO plans use the Aetna PPO network, giving access to providers like AnMed Health Medical Center and Prisma Health facilities.

Students can also visit the Clemson Student Health Services center for on-campus care.

Why Clemson Students Choose ISO

• Lower cost compared to SHIP
• Plans built specifically for international students
• Fast online enrollment
• Instant waiver-ready documents
• Multilingual customer support
• U.S.-based claims assistance
• Nationwide provider access

Final Thoughts

Health insurance at Clemson University doesn’t have to be complicated.

The most important steps are ensuring your coverage meets requirements, starts on time, and your waiver is submitted before the deadline.

Once your waiver is approved, you can focus on settling into life at Clemson and making the most of your experience.