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What are the UC Student Health Requirements?

Health Insurance

Mandatory for all students

For academic success, the UC Regents mandate that all students have health insurance. This includes off-campus students and international students. Read the official mandate here.

UC provides all students with the University of California Student Health Insurance Plan (UC SHIP). Most students choose UC SHIP. If you want to use your own insurance plan, you must opt out and waive (cancel) UC SHIP by completing one online waiver each academic year. Once accepted, the waiver is in effect for the current quarter and the remainder of the academic year. A new waiver must be submitted at the beginning of each academic year.

Accept or waive UC SHIP during the waiver periods for the 2024-2025 Academic Year:

Summer: 6/3–7/1/24
Fall: 7/19–9/16/24
Winter: 11/1–12/16/24
Spring: 2/3–3/17/25

Steps to accept UC SHIP: No further action required. You'll be billed automatically.

Steps to waive UC SHIP*:

After you submit the online waiver, our waiver partner, Academic HealthPlans (AHP), will review your waiver. They’ll let you know within 10 business days if there are any issues with your private health insurance plan. After submitting your waiver, email AHP at ucship@ahpservice.com with any questions.

Immunization and TB Screening Requirements

Mandatory Vaccination and Tuberculosis Screening

The University of California requires all incoming and re-admitted undergraduate and graduate students who are living, studying, or coming to campus for any reason to have certain vaccinations and a screening for tuberculosis (TB). These are also known as "medical clearances." The required vaccinations and screening prevent serious diseases that spread easily. These requirements are all part of our commitment to keeping you and our UCSC community free of communicable diseases. Read the University of California’s memo on the mandatory vaccination and tuberculosis screening policy here.

If you are living, studying, or coming to campus for any reason and you don’t meet these requirements, you could be prevented from registering for future classes. The only exceptions to this policy are medical exemptions. Learn more about the UC medical exemption policy here.

Required Actions for COVID-19 and Flu Immunization

Visit this link for updates and communications on how to attest or decline.

To get started:

Visit UCSC’s Immunization and TB Screening site.
Read the instructions or watch the short videos. They will show you how to gather your immunization records and use Health e-Messenger.
Log into Health e-Messenger and enter your information.

What other health forms are recommended?

Consent for Care of Minor

Recommended for students under 18

If you will be under 18 when you get to campus, please also complete the Consent for Care of Minor form. This form allows us to treat you without getting your parents’ consent for every appointment.

Complete the Consent for Care of Minor form.
Go to the UCSC Health e-Messenger web site. Log in with your CruzID and Gold password.
Select “Messages,” then “New Messages” and “Medical Records Form Submission.”

Personal Health History

Medical Records

If you or your doctor want the UCSC Student Health Center to provide care or monitor your medications or lab work, please ask your primary care provider for a summary of your medical treatment plan. We don't need your entire medical record, just the summary. Visit the Health Information Management page to find out how you can easily get us your records online through Docusign. It's quick and easy!

Thank you for completing the requirements! We appreciate your help in keeping our campus healthy.