UC Santa Cruz Health Insurance Waiver Guide for International Students

If you're an international student at the University of California Santa Cruz, health insurance is required. All full-time students must enroll in UC SHIP or waive it with a qualifying alternative plan.

The key takeaway: waiving UC SHIP with the right plan can save you thousands each year.

UC Santa Cruz Health Insurance Requirement

UC Santa Cruz requires all international students to maintain active health insurance that meets UC system standards. UC SHIP is automatically added to your student account each academic year.

You have two options:

• Stay on UC SHIP and pay the full annual premium
• Waive UC SHIP by submitting proof of a comparable plan

UC SHIP Waiver Requirements

To waive UC SHIP, your plan must meet strict University of California 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 entire academic term

Important: Your insurance must be active before arriving in Santa Cruz, California, or your waiver may be denied.

How to Waive UC SHIP Using an ISO Plan

ISO plans are designed to meet UC waiver standards.

1. Go to isoa.org and select University of California Santa Cruz. 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 UC Santa Cruz student portal and access the UC SHIP waiver form.
4. Upload your ISO insurance ID card and submit your waiver.

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

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

Feature	UC SHIP	ISO Share	ISO Care	ISO Care Elite
Annual Cost (Student)	~$3,600	$1,197	$1,437	$1,965
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
UC Santa Cruz Waiver Eligible	N/A	Yes	Yes	Yes
Savings	$0	~$2,403	~$2,163	~$1,635

Access to Care in Santa Cruz, California

ISO plans use the Aetna PPO network, giving access to providers throughout Santa Cruz and nearby cities like San Jose.

Students can also use services at the UC Santa Cruz Student Health Center.

Why UC Santa Cruz Students Choose ISO

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

Final Thoughts

Health insurance at UC Santa Cruz can be expensive, but you have options.

Choosing a compliant plan and submitting your waiver on time can significantly reduce your costs while maintaining strong coverage.

Once your waiver is approved, you can focus on settling into life in Santa Cruz and enjoying your experience at UCSC.

Ready to Waive UC SHIP?

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