This guide explains how the Harvard insurance waiver works,
how international students can waive Harvard SHIP,
and how to complete the waiver process successfully for Spring 2026.
Quick Summary
Quick Summary
•Harvard automatically enrolls students in SHIP, but waivers are allowed
•International students may use qualifying external insurance instead of Harvard SHIP
•GoGlobalSafe plans meet Harvard waiver requirements and have been approved in prior waiver cycles
•Eligible students may save up to $1,600+, depending on the selected plan
•Spring 2026 Harvard waiver deadline: January 31, 2026
Navigation
1. Harvard Health Insurance Requirement Explained (SHIP for International Students)
2. Can International Students Waive Harvard SHIP?
3. Harvard Insurance Waiver Deadlines (Spring 2026)
4. Why Harvard Students Choose to Waive SHIP?
5. How to Choose the Right GoGlobalSafe Plan?
6. Simple Steps to Purchase Your GoGlobalSafe Plan
7. Harvard Health Insurance Waiver Guide for Harvard Students
1. Harvard Insurance Requirement Explained (SHIP for International Students)
Harvard University (Harvard) requires all Harvard students to maintain comprehensive health insurance, due to the high and unpredictable costs of healthcare in the United States.
By default, Harvard automatically enrolls eligible students in the Harvard University Student Health Program (HUSHP) each year, with the premium charged directly to the student’s tuition bill. However, students with alternate health insurance coverage meeting Harvard’s minimum requirements can get a waiver.
For the most accurate and up-to-date Harvard policy details (eligibility, enrollment rules, and official requirements), please refer to Harvard’s official website.
2. Can International Students Waive Harvard SHIP? (Yes, Here’s How It Works)
Yes. Harvard officially allows international students to replace Harvard SHIP with a waiver-compliant external health insurance plan.
If your plan meets Harvard’s waiver criteria, you can submit an Insurance Waiver during the designated waiver period. Once approved, the Harvard SHIP fee will be removed from your tuition bill.
3. Harvard Insurance Waiver Deadline (Spring 2026)
The waiver deadline for Spring 2026 is January 31, 2026.
All waivers received between February 1, 2026, and March 31, 2026, are subject to a late fee.
If you do not submit your waiver request by this date, you will be automatically enrolled in and charged for Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP).
4. Why Harvard Students Choose to Waive SHIP
Many Harvard students—especially international students—choose to waive
Harvard SHIP after comparing cost, coverage flexibility, and overall value.
4.1 Harvard Student Health Insurance Plan (HUSHP) vs. GoGlobalSafe Plans
•Cost Comparison (Spring 2026)
By choosing a GoGlobalSafe (GGS) plan that meets Harvard waiver requirements, students may save up to $1,600+ for the Spring 2026, depending on the selected plan.
•Coverage & Benefits Comparison
•Summary
Harvard SHIP is the default insurance option provided by the university.
GoGlobalSafe plans are waiver-compliant alternatives with lower cost and broader flexibility.
GGS plans include required vaccines and exams, low-cost prescriptions, flexible deductibles, and coverage through the UHC PPO network—no referrals required for in- or out-of-network care. Students may choose the plan that best fits their needs and budget.
4.2 Why GoGlobalSafe Plan Works for Harvard Students
GoGlobalSafe plans are specifically designed to meet university waiver requirements while addressing the most common healthcare needs of international students:
•100% coverage at Harvard Student Health Center
•Fully compliant with Harvard insurance waiver standards
•Coverage tailored to international student medical needs
•Full reimbursement for required enrollment vaccinations, including HPV and other routine immunizations
•Nationwide PPO networks through UnitedHealthcare (UHC) or Aetna
•Coverage outside the United States (excluding the policyholder’s home country)
4.3 Why GoGlobalSafe Plan Is Easier to Use for Harvard Students
•No deductible and no copay at the Student Health Center
•PPO flexibility: choose doctors freely without referrals
•Free vaccinations, including:
School-required immunizations
Flu shots
HPV vaccines
•Global coverage for travel, providing peace of mind beyond the U.S.
4.4 Why Students Choose GoGlobalSafe
Comprehensive Student Support
•24/7 customer support year-round
•Full-service assistance, including:
·Policy explanation and benefits guidance
·Help scheduling medical appointments
·Support with medical communication
·Claims submission and follow-up
•Dedicated bilingual support for clear, stress-free communication
Simple and Efficient Process
•Enroll in just 3 minutes with instant policy issuance and digital insurance ID
•Step-by-step waiver guides, including visuals and videos, to help ensure first-time approval → Many students receive school approval emails within as little as 3 days
•Fully digital claims system to track coverage, deductibles, and claim status anytime
5. How to Choose the Right GoGlobalSafe Plan?
Quick Summary
Quick Summary
World Elite Plus
Royal Plus
Royal 100 / 500 / 1500
World Elite Plus
Most comprehensive coverage
Lowest out-of-pocket costs
Lowest financial risk
Best for Frequent Care or High Usage
Royal Plus
Balanced High Coverage
100% In‑Network Coinsurance
Strong Cost Protection and Lower Deductible
Good for Regular Medical Visits
Royal 100 / 500 / 1500
Budget‑Focused Plans with Adjustable Risk
Flexible Cost‑Sharing Options
Unlimited Annual Maximum
Good for Cost‑Conscious Students
6. Simple Steps to Purchase Your GoGlobalSafe Plan
Applying for your school’s insurance waiver? The GGS (GoGlobalSafe) plan offers a cost-effective and compliant alternative to many university-sponsored plans.
This simple, step-by-step guide is designed to walk you through the entire GGS plan purchase process quickly and efficiently, ensuring you have the necessary documentation for your school waiver application.
We’ve broken down the process into five easy steps so you can get covered and submit your waiver before the deadline. Let’s get started!
Step 1: Select Your Plan and Dates
Go directly to the official GoGlobalSafe insurance website:
www.goglobalsafe.com.Once on the site, you need to identify the correct plan that meets your university’s waiver requirements and the coverage period.
•Choose Your Plan: Select the specific GGS plan that has been approved for your school’s waiver. (e.g., “Royal 500”).
•Specify Coverage Dates: Input the exact start and end dates required by your school’s waiver form.
·Crucial: These dates must align with your school’s academic term for the waiver to be accepted. Double-check your university’s health insurance requirements page for the mandatory dates.
Step 2: Provide Student Information and Verify Eligibility
This section ensures the plan is issued correctly to you.
•Fill Out the Enrollment Form: Accurately enter all required personal details, including:
·Full Legal Name (must match your passport/school records)
·Date of Birth
·Email Address (used for all future communications and documents)
·School Name (Select your institution from the dropdown menu, if applicable)
•Review and Confirm: Before proceeding, review all entered data for typos. Incorrect information can cause delays when submitting your waiver application.
Step 3: Complete Secure Payment
The GGS portal supports various payment methods for your convenience.
•Payment Options: Choose your preferred method (Credit/Debit Card, etc.).
•Secure Checkout: Enter your payment details on the secure checkout page. The system will confirm the final premium cost before you authorize the transaction.
•Final Click: Click the “Buy ” button to finalize the transaction.
Step 4: Receive and Download Your Proof of Coverage
Your transaction is complete! The final step is getting the documents you need for your school waiver.
•Access Your Account: Immediately log in to your GGS Account Center using the credentials you created during the purchase process.
•Email Delivery: Your official Proof of Coverage/Insurance ID Card (often a PDF document) will be sent instantly to the email address you provided in Step 3.
•Action for Waiver:
Download Certificate of Coverage / Insurance ID Card (PDF): This is the document your school requires to prove you have compliant insurance.
·Waiver Guide: This helpful document provides specific instructions tailored to GGS plans for submitting your waiver to your university.
·File Name Tip: Rename the downloaded file to something clear (e.g.,
GGS_Policy_YourName_insusrance card.pdf) to avoid confusion.7. Harvard Health Insurance Waiver Guide for Harvard Students
For full, up-to-date instructions, please log in to your GGS Account Center to download your Proof of Coverage and access the Harvard Health Insurance Waiver Guide.
FAQs
If You’re New to U.S. Health Insurance: What Does “Waive” Mean?
Waive = Use your own qualified insurance instead of the school health plan (SHIP).
In health insurance, “waive” means choosing not to enroll in the SHIP when you already have another alternative plan that meets the school waiver requirements. If your waiver is approved, you keep your own insurance and are not charged for the school plan.
What Are Harvard Waiver Requirements?
For the most accurate and up-to-date Harvard policy details (eligibility, enrollment rules, and official requirements), please refer to Harvard’s official website.
Common Health Insurance Terms
•Network
A Network is a group of doctors, hospitals, and other healthcare providers that have agreed to provide medical services at reduced rates for plan members. Receiving care within the network typically results in lower out-of-pocket costs for you.
•Annual Maximum
The Annual Maximum is the total amount your insurance plan will pay for covered medical expenses during one policy year.
Once this limit is reached, the insurance company will no longer cover additional costs for that year.
•Deductible (In-Network)
The in-network deductible is the amount you must pay out of pocket for covered services before your insurance starts paying, as long as you receive care from providers within the plan’s network.
Example:If your deductible is $500, you pay the first $500 of eligible medical expenses yourself. After that, the insurance plan begins sharing the cost.
•Coinsurance (In-Network)
In-network coinsurance is the percentage of medical costs you are responsible for after meeting your deductible, when using in-network providers.
Example:With an 80% coinsurance rate, the insurance pays 80% of the remaining cost, and you pay 20%.
•Coinsurance (Out-of-Network)
Out-of-network coinsurance applies when you receive care from providers outside the insurance network.
Out-of-network coverage usually requires you to pay a higher share of the cost.
For example, a 50% coinsurance rate means the insurance covers 50%, and you pay the remaining 50%.
•Copayment (Student Health Center – SHC)
A copayment (copay) is a fixed fee you pay at the time of service. In this context, it refers specifically to visits at the Student Health Center (SHC).
If the copay is listed as $0, no payment is required for SHC visits.
•Deductible at the Student Health Center (SHC)
The SHC deductible is the amount you must pay before insurance coverage applies to services received at the Student Health Center.
GoGlobalSafe plans eliminate the SHC deductible, setting it at $0. This means you can receive care at the campus health center without worrying about meeting a deductible first.
•Out-of-Pocket Maximum (In-Network)
Thein-network out-of-pocket maximum is the most you will pay in a policy year for covered medical services.
Once you reach this limit through deductibles, copays, and coinsurance, the insurance plan covers 100% of all eligible in-network expenses for the remainder of the year.
