NIU Health Insurance Waiver Guide for International Students

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

The good news: choosing the right plan can save you thousands each year.

NIU Health Insurance Requirement

Northern Illinois University requires all international students studying in the U.S. to maintain active health insurance that meets university standards. A SHIP charge is typically added to your student account at the beginning of the academic year.

You have two options:

• Stay enrolled in the NIU SHIP and pay the annual premium
• Waive the SHIP by submitting proof of a comparable insurance plan

NIU SHIP Waiver Requirements

To waive NIU’s SHIP, your plan must meet common university requirements, including:

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

Important: Your insurance must be active before arriving in DeKalb, Illinois, or your waiver may be denied.

How to Waive the NIU SHIP Using an ISO Plan

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

1. Visit isoa.org and select Northern Illinois University. Choose your plan and set your start date.
2. Enroll online in minutes. Your ID card and confirmation documents are available instantly.
3. Log into your NIU student portal and navigate to the health 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.

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

Feature	NIU SHIP	ISO Share	ISO Care	ISO Care Elite
Annual Cost (Student)	~$2,600	$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
NIU Waiver Eligible	N/A	Yes	Yes	Yes
Savings	$0	~$1,631	~$1,511	~$971

Access to Care in DeKalb, Illinois

ISO plans use the Aetna PPO network, giving access to providers in the DeKalb area, including Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital.

Students may also access services through the NIU Health Services center.

Why NIU Students Choose ISO

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

Final Thoughts

Health insurance at Northern Illinois University doesn’t have to be overwhelming.

The most important step is ensuring your coverage meets NIU’s requirements and starts on time.

Once your waiver is approved, you can focus on your studies and life in DeKalb.

Ready to Waive the NIU SHIP?

Compare plans and enroll at isoa.org. It takes less than 5 minutes, and your waiver documents are available immediately after signup.