How International Students Can Lower Health Insurance Costs at SFBU

If you're an international student at San Francisco Bay University, health insurance is part of your overall cost of attendance and a requirement for enrollment. Students are automatically enrolled in the university’s plan unless they submit an approved waiver with qualifying coverage.

Because SFBU gives students the option to waive, choosing the right plan can significantly reduce your total cost while still meeting all requirements.

SFBU Health Insurance Requirement

San Francisco Bay University requires international students to maintain active health insurance throughout their studies. By default, students are enrolled in the school-sponsored plan and charged accordingly.

You can review details on the SFBU Student Health Insurance page.

For the 2025–2026 academic year, the published rate of $1,494 covers a partial term (spring/summer). On an annualized basis, the total cost is approximately:

• $2,988 per year

Students have two options:

• Stay enrolled in the SFBU plan and pay the full premium
• Submit a waiver with a qualifying alternative plan

SFBU Insurance Requirements

SFBU requires that any alternative plan provides coverage comparable to the university plan.

Based on the official insurance page, plans must provide comprehensive medical coverage, access to care in the U.S., and continuous coverage throughout the academic term.

Each waiver is reviewed individually to confirm the plan meets these standards.

How to Waive SFBU Health Insurance Using an ISO Plan

ISO plans are structured to meet requirements at schools like SFBU and simplify the waiver process.

You can explore options on the ISO website.

After enrolling, students receive their insurance ID card and documentation immediately, which can be uploaded through the school’s waiver process.

Once approved, the insurance charge is removed from your account.

SFBU SHIP vs. ISO Plans

Feature	SFBU SHIP	ISO Care (SFBU)	ISO Care Elite (SFBU)
Annual Cost (Student)	$2,988	$1,089	$1,629
Deductible	Varies	$500	$40
Coinsurance (In-Network)	Varies	80%	90%
Annual Maximum	Varies	Unlimited	Unlimited
Pre-existing Conditions	Covered	Covered	Covered
Preventive Care	Covered	Covered	Covered
SFBU Waiver Eligible	N/A	Yes	Yes
Savings	$0	~$1,899	~$1,359

Access to Care in the Bay Area

ISO plans provide access to a large nationwide provider network, including major healthcare systems across the San Francisco Bay Area.

This gives students flexibility to choose providers both near campus and throughout the region.

How to Save on Health Insurance at SFBU

Because SFBU allows students to waive the university plan, selecting a compliant alternative can lead to significant savings.

For many international students, this is one of the easiest ways to reduce overall education costs without sacrificing coverage.

Ready to Waive SFBU Health Insurance?

Compare plans and enroll on the ISO website. Enrollment takes just a few minutes, and your documents are available immediately after signup.