How to Waive the University of South Carolina SHIP

If you're an international student at the University of South Carolina Columbia, health insurance isn’t optional - it’s a university requirement. Every full-time student studying in the U.S. must either enroll in USC’s Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) or waive it with a qualifying alternative plan.

The good news? You have a choice, and that choice can save you thousands each year.

USC Health Insurance Requirement

The University of South Carolina Columbia requires all full-time international students physically present in the U.S. to maintain active health insurance that meets the university’s coverage standards. A SHIP charge is automatically added to your student account at the start of each academic year.

You have two options:

• Stay on the USC SHIP - pay the annual premium and remain enrolled in the university-sponsored plan
• Waive the SHIP - provide proof of a comparable plan that meets USC requirements and remove the charge from your bill

USC SHIP Waiver Requirements

To waive the USC SHIP, your alternative insurance plan must meet specific criteria. While requirements may vary slightly year to year, most universities including USC require:

• Coverage through a U.S.-based insurance provider
• Unlimited annual and lifetime medical benefits
• Coverage for inpatient, outpatient, emergency, and mental health services
• Reasonable deductible (typically under $5,000)
• Coverage for pre-existing conditions without long waiting periods
• Active coverage for the full academic term

Important: Your insurance must be active before you arrive in Columbia, South Carolina. If not, your waiver request may be denied.

How to Waive the USC SHIP Using an ISO Plan

ISO plans are designed to meet waiver requirements at schools like USC.

1. Visit isoa.org and select the University of South Carolina Columbia page. Choose your plan and set your start date.
2. Enroll online in minutes. Your ID card and confirmation documents are delivered instantly.
3. Log into your USC student portal and navigate to the health insurance waiver section.
4. Upload your ISO insurance ID card and submit your waiver for approval.

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

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

Feature	USC SHIP	ISO Share	ISO Care	ISO Care Elite
Annual Cost (Student)	~$3,000	$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
USC Waiver Eligible	N/A	Yes	Yes	Yes
Savings	$0	~$2,031	~$1,911	~$1,371

Access to Care in Columbia, South Carolina

ISO plans use the Aetna PPO network, giving students access to providers like Prisma Health Richland Hospital and Lexington Medical Center.

Students may also use the USC Student Health Center for on-campus services.

Why USC Students Choose ISO

• Lower cost compared to SHIP
• Plans built specifically for international students
• Fast, fully online enrollment
• Instant waiver-ready documents
• Multilingual customer support
• U.S.-based claims processing
• Access to a nationwide provider network

Final Thoughts

Navigating health insurance at the University of South Carolina Columbia doesn’t have to be complicated.

The most important steps are choosing a compliant plan, ensuring your coverage starts on time, and submitting your waiver before the deadline.

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