Health Insurance for Full-Time College Students

As of fall 2010, health-care options for full-time college students are plentiful. Many colleges and universities require students to have some type of health insurance upon enrolling. Under the Affordable Care Act, students can remain on their parents' health insurance plan until they turn 26 or find a job that offers group health insurance. Full-time college students can contact their health office for help sorting through insurance options.

The Affordable Care Act

• The Affordable Care Act, enacted in 2010, allows dependents to remain on their parents' insurance plan until age 26. Before this act, in most states, dependents could only remain on their parents' plan if they were full-time students. With the Affordable Care Act, the young adult does not have to be a full-time student and it does not matter if she is married, where she lives or her financial situation. If the full-time student is offered employer-sponsored health insurance, until 2014 their parent's group plan does not have to offer coverage up to age 26, per the Affordable Care Act.

School Sponsored Insurance

• Several colleges and universities offer student health insurance plans. Enrolled students have the option to purchase health insurance directly through their school. Schools may require the student to take a minimum number of credits to purchase these plans. They may also allow the student to enroll spouses and dependent children. Most student health plans run for a one-year period, concurrent with the school year, and are not renewable at the end of the policy year. You'll need to reapply for new coverage each year.

Short-Term Insurance

• For full-time students who may only need coverage for a short period, there are short-term health insurance plans. Short-term insurance typically covers a period of six or fewer months. It may be a cost-effective option for the full-time college student who is in their last semester of school or is over age 26 and no longer eligible for coverage on their parents' plan. Short-term insurance policies are non-renewable, meaning you must apply for a new plan after each six months.

Bottom Line

• Many schools require students to obtain health insurance. Parents' plans are a primary option but not the only option. Several factors determine what plans are available to the student, including the student's age, health conditions, financial need and coverage period. Access resources such as an insurance agent, your school's health center, your state's insurance department website, healthcare.gov and your parents, to discover all of your insurance options.