Graduate College Orientation

Health Insurance

The mandatory health fee paid by each student is NOT an insurance plan; it is intended only to complement a student's individual insurance coverage.

For health insurance coverage, you may purchase a Group Health Insurance plan which covers hospitalization, accident expenses, surgery and maternity benefits for yourself, your spouse, and your children. A graduate student on a graduate assistantship receives single student coverage free of charge and has the option of paying premiums for coverage for his/her spouse and children. The policy is generally effective for a 12-month period beginning on the first day of registration. You may enroll in this plan by visiting the the SSHIP website or their offices at 0570 Beardshear. Various payment plans are available. For more information, please review the following ISU Insurance Presentation.

Prescription Drug Benefit

Graduate students who currently hold a graduate assistantship receive single coverage free of charge in a prescription drug benefit program that reduces the cost of generic and brand-name drugs purchased at the Student Health Center Pharmacy. For an additional fee, the spouse and children of a graduate student holding a graduate assistantship may also be enrolled in the Prescription Drug Benefit Program as long as they are also enrolled in the Group Health Insurance plan. Graduate students who do not have a graduate assistantship and their families are not eligible for this benefit. For information, contact the Student Health Center Pharmacy (515) 294-7983. Enrollment information is available through the SSHIP website or in their offices at 0570 Beardshear; this option must be paid through payroll deduction.

Dental Insurance

Dental insurance for graduate students, and their spouses and families is available through Delta Dental Plan of Iowa and may be purchased for an additional premium. You may enroll in this plan by visiting the the SSHIP website or their offices at 0570 Beardshear. Various payment plans are available.