How To Waive Your Insurance Plan at The New School

If you're an international student at The New School in New York City, health insurance isn't optional, it's a university requirement. Every eligible student is automatically charged for The New School's Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) when they register. But here's the good news: you have options, and choosing the right one could save you nearly $2,900 a year.

The New School's Health Insurance Requirement

All eligible students at The New School are required to have comprehensive health insurance coverage. The university automatically adds a SHIP charge to every eligible student's account upon registration.

You have two choices:

• Stay on the New School SHIP - pay the annual premium and receive coverage through Aetna Student Health's Open Choice PPO plan, which also includes dental and vision benefits
• Waive the SHIP - show proof of a comparable alternative plan and have the charge removed from your student account

For the 2025–2026 academic year, the SHIP costs $4,310 annually, split into a fall payment of $1,748 and a spring payment of $2,562.

The New School SHIP Waiver Requirements

To successfully waive the SHIP, your alternative insurance plan must meet The New School's criteria. Your plan must provide comprehensive coverage for:

• Illness, injury, urgent care, and emergency care
• Preventive care
• Mental health treatment
• Prescription medications
• Coverage in New York City

Your plan can be U.S.-based or international and does not need to be ACA-compliant as long as it provides comparable coverage.

Waiver Deadlines - Don't Miss Them

The New School sets strict waiver deadlines each semester.

• Fall Deadline: September 30, 2025
• Spring Deadline: February 28, 2026

If you submit your waiver in the fall, it carries over to the spring semester.

Miss the deadline, and the SHIP charge remains on your account. You can contact University Health Plans to request a prorated refund through a plan termination.

How to Waive the New School SHIP Using an ISO Plan

ISO offers plans designed to meet The New School's waiver criteria.

1. Choose your ISO plan (ISO Share, ISO Care, or ISO Care Elite)
2. Enroll online in under 5 minutes and receive documents instantly
3. Log into your student account and upload your insurance ID card
4. Submit your waiver before the deadline

New School SHIP vs. ISO Plans: Side-by-Side

Feature	New School SHIP	ISO Share	ISO Care	ISO Care Elite
Annual Cost	$4,310	$969	$1,089	$1,629
Annual Deductible	Varies	$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	Covered	Covered	Covered	Covered
Medical Evacuation	—	$100,000	$100,000	$100,000
Repatriation	—	$50,000	$50,000	$50,000
Waiver Eligible	N/A	Yes	Yes	Yes
Estimated Savings	—	$3,341	$3,221	$2,681

All ISO plans use the Aetna PPO network, giving access to providers like NYU Langone Health, Mount Sinai Hospital, and CityMD Urgent Care.

You can also use your ISO plan at The New School's Student Health Services center at 80 Fifth Avenue.

Why International Students at The New School Choose ISO

Living in New York City is expensive, and ISO plans are designed to reduce costs while still meeting coverage requirements.

• Lower premiums compared to SHIP
• Comprehensive coverage for international students
• Access to a large provider network
• Medical evacuation and repatriation benefits

Final Thoughts

Having the right insurance lets you focus on your studies and life in New York City, not medical bills.

Choosing a compliant plan and submitting your waiver on time can save thousands each year.

Ready to Waive the New School SHIP?

Compare ISO plans and enroll in under 5 minutes on the ISO website.

Your insurance ID card is available instantly so you can submit your waiver right away.