Health Insurance for International Students
CSUSB requires F-1 and J-1 international students who are subject to the university health insurance requirement to maintain approved health insurance during each required coverage period.
Important: Health insurance requirements are based on your physical presence in the United States, not simply your enrollment status. If you will be physically present in the United States during a required coverage period, you must maintain approved health insurance even if you are not enrolled in classes during that term.
Use this page to enroll in the CSUSB plan, review waiver or exception options, understand health insurance holds, and find help using your coverage.
Enroll in the CSUSB Health Insurance Plan
Students may enroll through the CSUSB International Student Health Insurance Program (iSHIP). Enrollment instructions, coverage information, and plan details are available through UnitedHealthcare StudentResources (UHCSR).
CSUSB does not automatically enroll students. Complete enrollment for the appropriate coverage period as early as possible during the designated enrollment period.
Enroll in the CSUSB Health Insurance Plan
Step-by-Step Video Instructions
Health Insurance Holds
CISP places health insurance holds to ensure students satisfy the applicable health insurance requirement. The health insurance hold is a registration (no enrollment/add) hold. It:
- Prevents registration for future classes;
- Does not prevent graduation; and
- Does not prevent issuance of your diploma.
Students must satisfy the applicable health insurance requirement before the hold can be removed. Because a hold may affect course availability and your final class schedule, complete the requirement as early as possible.
During registration periods, CISP team members remove holds on an ongoing basis. If your hold has not been removed after one business day from purchasing your plan, submit an Online Service Request.
Submit an Online Service Request
Portal Request: 06 Hold Removal: Health Insurance
Health Insurance Waivers
Certain students may qualify for a waiver of the university health insurance requirement. Waivers are reviewed based on university policy, applicable state law, and insurance requirements.
Government-Sponsored Students
Students whose government sponsorship includes qualifying health insurance coverage may be eligible for an exception. Documentation must be submitted to ISSS for review.
To have a health insurance hold removed for a term, ISSS must have a financial guarantee letter showing coverage for that full term. Coverage that ends before the last day of classes of a term will result in a hold being placed for that term.
Upload your Financial Guarantee
Portal Request: 06 Financial Guarantee Upload
J-1 Students: Additional Insurance Requirements
Federal regulations require J-1 exchange visitors and J-2 dependents to maintain qualifying health insurance throughout their exchange program participation.
- $100,000 in medical benefits per accident or illness;
- $25,000 for repatriation of remains;
- $50,000 for medical evacuation to the exchange visitor's home country; and
- A deductible of no more than $500 per accident or illness.
Students in J status are responsible for maintaining insurance that satisfies the applicable federal requirements throughout their program.
After You Complete Your Academic Program
Health insurance through CSUSB is required while you are an active, enrolled student subject to the university requirement.
Once you complete your academic program and are no longer enrolled, you are no longer required to maintain health insurance through CSUSB.
ISSS recommends maintaining health insurance during Optional Practical Training (OPT) for your health and financial protection.
Ending Coverage Early
Effective July 1, 2026, eligible students may request early termination if they graduate, withdraw from the university, or take an approved leave of absence.
A mid-year termination request must be submitted through the Online Service Request at least 30 days before the requested termination date.
Coverage ends according to applicable state law and insurance policy requirements, and eligible students may receive a prorated refund of prepaid premiums for the unused portion of coverage.
Request to End Health Insurance Coverage Early
Frequently Asked Questions
Navigating the student health insurance requirement can be quite difficult. Please utilize the FAQ below to help you understand answers to common questions.
However, if you have any further questions, please reach out to the Center for International Studies and Programs (CISP).
Complete the applicable insurance requirement for each required coverage period. While you are a CSUSB international student, the requirement is based on your physical presence in the United States, not simply whether you are enrolled in classes during a particular term.
If you do not complete the requirement:
- A hold will be placed on your account, and/or
- You will be prevented from enrolling further courses.
This may impact your ability to maintain your F-1 or J-1 status, as enrollment is a requirement.
If you will be physically present in the United States during the required summer coverage period, you must maintain approved health insurance even if you are not enrolled in summer classes. Students who meet the Summer Health Insurance Waiver requirements may request a waiver.
Review the Summer Health Insurance Waiver requirements above. The waiver applies only when the student meets the full eligibility criteria, including not being physically present in the United States during the applicable summer coverage period.
Yes. Summer and Fall are separate coverage periods. Purchasing Summer coverage does not satisfy the Fall health insurance requirement.
Possibly. Students requesting a waiver must demonstrate that their alternate insurance satisfies the applicable waiver requirements.
To be approved, your plan must meet CSUSB (and for J-1 students, federal) requirements. If it does not meet these standards, you will be required to enroll in the CSUSB plan. Certain government-sponsored students are eligible for a waiver, but health insurance is still a requirement.
Additionally, most foreign insurance plans do not have medical evacuation and repatriation policies.
Required coverage must remain active for the applicable coverage period. If coverage ends early, you may have an unresolved insurance requirement and a registration hold may be placed. Government-sponsored students must have a financial guarantee letter showing coverage for the full term.
You must maintain continuous coverage.
If your insurance lapses, you may be required to enroll in the CSUSB plan to remain compliant.
Students whose government sponsorship includes qualifying health insurance coverage may be eligible for an exception. Documentation must be submitted to ISSS for review.
To have a health insurance hold removed for a term, ISSS must have a financial guarantee letter showing coverage for that full term. Coverage that ends before the last day of classes of a term will result in a hold being placed for that term.
Once you complete your academic program and are no longer enrolled at CSUSB, you are no longer required to maintain health insurance through CSUSB. If existing coverage extends beyond completion and you need it ended early, follow the Ending Coverage Early process above.
For more information on the schedule of benefits, dates of coverage, and program costs, please download the Insurance brochure at:
For other information on maintaining your F-1 or J-1 status, please visit the following webpage:
How to Use Your Insurance
The UHCSR has created a great catalog of videos that help you understand how to navigate the enrollment portal and your account, as well as how to use your benefits.
To learn about what your UHCSR My Account offers, click on the following link: My Account Overview
Please utilize the following video: How to Create my Account
To request a physical copy, follow the steps outlined in the following video: How to Request an ID Card
UHCSR has created a quick video guide, access it here: What are Deductibles, Coinsurance and Copays?
Here’s how to search for a provider online anywhere in the United States: How to Find a Provider
Watch What is an EOB? to understand what it means.
For a video guide on how to submit a claim, click here: How to Submit A Claim
For a full list of the videos, click on the button below:
Student Health Center (On-Campus)
The CSUSB Student Health Center provides health services to eligible students on campus. The Student Health Center and your health insurance plan are separate resources.
Your health insurance may also provide access to health care providers and services outside the Student Health Center. Review your insurance plan information to understand your benefits and how to find participating providers.
Phone: (909) 537-5241
Email: asktheshc@csusb.edu
Questions About Health Insurance?
Contact the Center for International Studies and Programs (CISP) if you are unsure about your health insurance requirement, have questions about enrollment or waiver eligibility, or need help understanding deadlines or requirements.
For plan-specific questions about benefits, claims, providers, or your UHCSR account, use UnitedHealthcare StudentResources.
For questions about how health insurance requirements affect your F-1 or J-1 immigration status, contact International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS).
Portal Request: 00 Health Insurance Inquiry