International student insurance is automatically charged to your student account if you are enrolled in at least 4 credits. Insurance is set to begin at the official start of your academic term. Insurance cards (proof of insurance required at the clinic or hospital) will be mailed to your current mailing address a few weeks after the beginning of the term. You may also print your card online. For more information about your student insurance please see the Counseling and Health Services webpage. 

Please note that students who are not enrolled and are engaged in Optional Practical Training (OPT) are not eligible for Hamline student insurance but we strongly recommend that you maintain insurance coverage. Additionally if you are ever enrolled for less than 4 credits you are not eligible for Hamline student insurance and would need to purchase your own insurance coverage.

Waivers

Eligibility for a waiver of the health insurance requirement is determined by your student status:

Undergraduate Degree-Seeking Students: Only students with government provided international insurance that meets the insurance requirements listed below are eligible for a waiver.  

Undergraduate Exchange Students: Only students with (a) government provided international insurance that meets the requirements listed below, or (b) international insurance from the home university that meets the requirements listed below are eligible for a waiver.

Graduate International Students (Degree-Seeking or Exchange): Only students with (a) government provided international insurance that meets the requirements listed below, or (b) international insurance from the home university that meets the requirements listed below, or (c) personal insurance that meets the requirements listed below are eligible for a waiver.

Insurance Requirements

All international students must maintain insurance coverage that meets these minimum requirements:

• Insurance shall cover medical benefits of at least $50,000 per person per accident or illness 
• Insurance shall cover repatriation of remains in the amount of at least $7,500 
• Insurance shall cover expenses associated with medical evacuation in the amount of at least $10,000 
• A policy secured to fulfill the insurance requirements shall not have a deductible that exceeds $500 per accident or illness 
• International students must maintain insurance as required above for the duration of the academic program at Hamline University

How to Request a Waiver

1. Download the international student insurance waiver form 

2. Fill out the form, sign it, and bring it to the International and Off Campus Programs Office. We must receive it no later than 2 weeks after the start of the term. Late forms will not be accepted.

3. When you drop off the waiver at the IOCP front desk, we will make a copy of your form for your file and send a copy to Student Accounts Office to be entered for a waiver. All undergraduate students (exchange and degree seeking students) require an approval signature from the IOCP office. Graduate students and Law School students do not require an approval signature. NOTE: If you require an approval signature it may take 2-3 additional business days to process as a staff member must authorize and sign your waiver form.

4. You will need to complete this process once a year.

Why are students required to maintain health insurance? 

The mandatory insurance policy exists for the protection of students. It is extremely risky to be in the United States without adequate health insurance. The US does not have a national health care system, so individuals are responsible for all costs associated with medical care. A single day of hospitalization or medical treatment may cost thousands of dollars. Most Americans rely on insurance as protection against extreme financial hardship that can be associated with unexpected medical costs. It is important that students be protected as well. 

Hamline requires international students to maintain insurance that also includes medical evacuation and repatriation. These are uncommon features of domestic insurance policies, but are extremely important should something happen to you as an international student. Medical evacuation and repatriation costs can amount to tens of thousands of dollars, and without insurance that specifically covers these costs, you or your family would be responsible for paying these expenses. 

It is Hamline’s policy that ALL international students maintain adequate health insurance. However, for J-1 visa holders, it is also a federal regulation that you maintain insurance that meets the minimum requirements determined by the Department of State. Willful failure to comply with this requirement would result in a termination of your J visa status. 

Please note that having insurance does not mean that all medical costs will be covered. For specific information about what is covered in your insurance plan you must read your insurance policy statement or speak to your insurance provider.