College Student Health Insurance in Florida
What each major Florida school actually requires — and what to do before a waiver deadline passes.
I’m Christopher Horne, a licensed health insurance broker serving Florida. Below is what I verified from official school sources for each school. Where I could not verify a current published requirement, I say so — requirements change, so text me at 954-787-9118 for a free check for your school and term.
Florida Schools: Requirement, Waiver, and School Plan
| School | Requirement (as published) | Auto-enroll? | Waiver deadline | School plan cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Florida Gainesville | All students: UF states coverage is mandated. Students must show comparable coverage or the UF plan charge appears on the bursar account — this is an opt-out system. Source: official school / administrator page — Verified from official source. | Auto-enrolls if no approved waiver | Waiver deadline: check UF Health Compliance for your semester (dates change by term) | UF plan (UHCSR): $3,039 annual for 2025-26 on UF's official rates page; 2026-27 fall/spring rates are posted there too — check UF for current rates |
| Florida State University Tallahassee | All full-time students must show proof of health insurance. Students may elect the FSU plan or waive with comparable coverage. Source: official school / administrator page — Verified from official source. | Auto-enrolls if no approved waiver | August 14, 2026 waiver deadline for 2026-27 (FSU Student Insurance notice) | Check FSU Student Insurance for current plan rates |
| University of Central Florida Orlando | UCF's plan administrator lists 'Hard Waiver' groups — including international F-1/J-1 students — who must meet UCF insurance requirements at registration. Domestic students are listed separately and can enroll voluntarily. Source: official school / administrator page — Partially verified — confirm details with the school. | Hard-waiver groups auto-enroll/are charged unless waived | Check UCF's AHP portal for your term's waiver window | UCF hard-waiver plan documents posted through its AHP portal showed a $3,802 annual student rate for 2025-26 — check UCF/AHP for current rates |
| University of South Florida Tampa | USF requires F/J visa holders to have coverage meeting USF Regulation 6.0162 and administers waivers through Academic Health Plans. Rules for other students vary — confirm with USF. Source: official school / administrator page — Partially verified — confirm details with the school. | International students are enrolled in SHIP unless waived through AHP | Fall agreement form by August 24, 2026 for international waiver process (USF compliance form); policies submitted on/after Aug 25, 2026 not reviewed for 2026-27 | Check USF/AHP for current SHIP rates |
| Florida International University Miami | FIU requires all international students to submit proof of medical insurance; graduate assistants/fellows are automatically enrolled in the school plan unless they opt out with comparable coverage (international GA students on F-1/J-1 are not eligible to waive). Source: official school / administrator page — Partially verified — confirm details with the school. | International + GA auto-enroll rules apply | Check FIU for your term's deadline | Check FIU for current plan rates |
| Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton | Only international students/scholars in F or J status are required. Domestic full-time students and medical students may enroll voluntarily — no domestic mandate on FAU's official page. Source: official school / administrator page — Verified from official source. | International F/J students are enrolled in the university-sponsored SHIP and charged on their FAU account unless waived | Fall 2026 waiver deadline: August 26, 2026 (portal opened July 27, 2026) | Check FAU for current SHIP rates (not published on fau.edu) |
| Florida A&M University Tallahassee | All FAMU students enrolled at least half-time (9 hrs undergraduate / 6 hrs graduate) in a degree-seeking program are required to have health insurance under University Regulation 2.033 (exemptions include strictly online, transient, non-degree, and less-than-part-time students). Source: official school / administrator page — Verified from official source. | Students must document coverage in the waiver portal or purchase the university-sponsored plan; undocumented/denied students are enrolled in the university plan and charged | Fall 2026: portal August 3 – September 14, 2026; FAMU's own page also states an August 28, 2026 opt-out deadline — confirm which applies to you with FAMU | Check FAMU for current plan rates |
| University of North Florida Jacksonville | Required only for international F/J students and students in specific programs (including Undergraduate Nursing, Graduate Nutrition & Dietetics, Nurse Anesthesiology, Family Nurse Practitioner, Doctor of Physical Therapy, and Psychiatric Mental Health NP). No general mandate for other students. Source: official school / administrator page — Verified from official source. | International F/J students are automatically enrolled in the Fall 2026 Aetna plan unless an approved waiver is submitted | Fall 2026 waiver deadline: August 28, 2026 (appeal/refund window to September 11, 2026) | UNF published 2026-27 term rates: $1,182 fall, $1,113 spring, $854 summer — check UNF for current rates |
School plan costs above are only shown where a school or its official plan administrator published them, and rates change — check the school for current rates before you decide. A Marketplace plan is not automatically accepted for a waiver: many schools accept Marketplace coverage for waivers, but you must confirm with your school before the deadline.
How Florida Students Usually Compare
- If your school auto-enrolls you: find the waiver deadline first, then compare. Missing it can mean paying for the school plan even if you already have coverage.
- If you are on a parent plan: check whether your doctors near campus are in network — out-of-state network gaps are the most common surprise.
- If you are shopping in your own name: students often qualify based on their own income. Eligibility depends on your situation — free check, call or text 954-787-9118. Many schools accept Marketplace coverage for waivers, but you must confirm with your school before the deadline.
- Turning 26 mid-semester? That is generally a 60-day Special Enrollment Period around the loss of parent coverage. Plan it before the semester starts.
Start Your Free Florida College Coverage Check
Tell me your school, state, and deadline. I will help you compare the school plan, staying on a parent plan, and a Marketplace plan in your own name — and explain what to confirm with your school before any waiver deadline.
Prefer to browse plans yourself first? Run the 60-second subsidy calculator first, then Start your own application here — it stays under my NPN so I am your agent. Then text me at 954-787-9118 for a second set of eyes before you submit. Enroll through my link instead and I review every signup the same day it comes in.
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