College Student Health Insurance in Texas
What each major Texas school actually requires — and what to do before a waiver deadline passes.
I’m Christopher Horne, a licensed health insurance broker serving Texas. 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.
Texas Schools: Requirement, Waiver, and School Plan
| School | Requirement (as published) | Auto-enroll? | Waiver deadline | School plan cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Texas at Austin Austin | Only international students with F-1, F-2, J-1, or J-2 status are required to have ACA-compliant coverage. Domestic students are not required; voluntary UT SHIP enrollment is offered. Source: official school / administrator page — Verified from official source. | International students are automatically enrolled in UT SHIP at registration, charged through tuition/fees, unless waived (J-1 exchange students cannot waive) | Fall 2026: September 4, 2026 by 5 p.m.; Spring 2027: January 25, 2027; Summer 2027: June 3, 2027 | UT published 2026-27 term rates (incl. admin fee): $1,297.80 fall, $1,622.25 spring, $2,595.60 spring+summer — check UT for current rates |
| Texas A&M University College Station | Only students in F-1 or J-1 status are required by Texas A&M System policy to maintain health insurance at all times. Students not in F-1/J-1 status have no obligation to have health insurance. Source: official school / administrator page — Verified from official source. | F/J students not in benefits-eligible graduate assistant positions are automatically enrolled in the System SHIP (SSHIP) unless waived with comparable coverage | 2025-26 / 2026-27 College Station waiver deadline not found on official tamu.edu pages — check Texas A&M for your term | Check Texas A&M for current SSHIP rates (not published on the main-campus pages reviewed) |
| University of Houston Houston | Only international students with F or J visa status are required, regardless of credit hours. Domestic students enroll voluntarily. Source: official school / administrator page — Verified from official source. | International students are automatically charged for the UH System-endorsed SHIP at registration and must activate enrollment or get an approved waiver each period | Fall 2026 waiver: July 24 – September 9, 2026 (5 p.m. CDT); Spring 2027: December 18, 2026 – February 3, 2027 | UH published FY2026 rates including Fall 2025 $1,181.78 new / $941.90 returning and Spring/Summer 2026 $1,647.91 — check UH for current rates |
| Texas Tech University Lubbock | TTU requires all non-immigrant (F-1/J-1) students to have health insurance as a condition of enrollment. Domestic students may enroll voluntarily. Source: official school / administrator page — Verified from official source. | All international students are automatically enrolled in the SHIP; waivers are limited (government-sponsored or documented U.S. employer coverage) and must be applied for each fall and spring | No 2025-26 / 2026-27 waiver date found on official ttu.edu pages — check TTU for your term | Check TTU for current SHIP rates (not published on ttu.edu) |
| The University of Texas at Arlington Arlington | Only F-1, F-2, J-1, and J-2 students currently enrolled are required (Regents Rule 50402, ACA-compliant coverage). Source: official school / administrator page — Verified from official source. | Students are automatically enrolled in UT-SHIP at registration, charged through MyMav, unless an approved waiver is submitted each semester | Fall 2026 waiver period: July 14 – September 1, 2026 | UTA published: $1,412.00 fall 2026 and $2,295.00 spring/summer 2027 — check UTA for current rates |
| University of North Texas Denton | UNT has required all international students to have medical insurance since 1982. Domestic degree-seeking students may enroll voluntarily. Source: official school / administrator page — Verified from official source. | International students are automatically charged a student health insurance fee each semester after registration; waivers only for government-sponsored, U.S. employer group, or parent/relative U.S. employer group coverage | Waiver/enrollment processed up until the official 12th class day (UNT catalog); check UNT for your term's date | Check UNT for current SHIP rates (not published on unt.edu) |
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 Texas 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 Texas 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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