Health Insurance

For most students at New York Institute of Technology, health insurance is required for students enrolled at the New York campuses. This requirement is consistent with many other schools in the New York metro area and is widely endorsed by New York Tech's academic, student and health services divisions. At New York Tech, we offer a broad coverage, ACA-compliant health insurance plan through Aetna, a large national healthcare insurance provider.

Upon registration for classes, students in one or more of the following categories are automatically enrolled for health insurance:

  • Full-time undergraduate students
  • Residence hall occupants
  • School of Health Professions students
  • International students holding an F-1 or a J-1 visa

Waiver Eligibility

If a domestic student has comparable health insurance coverage available, such as through a parent's plan, the student may be eligible to waive the coverage. For any new incoming students registering who wish to WAIVE the Aetna Student Health insurance, please visit Aetna's Enroll/Waive page.

International students: Medicaid coverage does not meet the requirements to waive the health insurance plan and it does not cover services outside of New York state. In addition, as an international student, you must have enough funding for your stay in the United States. If you accept U.S. government assistance in the form of Medicaid, it is possible the U.S. government will later determine you have been a public charge. This could result in: Denial of an F-1 or J-1 visa or renewal Refusal to enter the U.S. Denial of a future change of status or future benefits (such as OPT) We therefore recommend that international students NOT enroll in Medicaid, and we cannot waive insurance coverage based on Medicaid enrollment. Remaining enrolled in Medicaid is at your own risk and will not exempt you from fees and enrollment in the health insurance plan. If you wish to cancel your Medicaid coverage, contact the local Medicaid office or call the contact information on your Medicaid card.

New York Tech cannot honor late withdrawal requests once insurance coverage has been confirmed by Aetna. Fall semester insurance coverage begins August 1, 2023, and ends December 31, 2023. Spring semester coverage begins January 1, 2024, and ends July 31, 2024, If you are enrolled for the fall semester, your enrollment will be automatically renewed for the spring semester. As indicated above, you may not waive coverage midyear. If you waive your insurance for the fall semester, you will automatically be waived for the spring semester.

Please note:
  • International students are not eligible for a health insurance waiver.
  • Any new student taking a summer class must be waived manually, please contact: yruiz@nyit.edu.
  • Waivers are subject to audit by both Aetna and New York Tech.
  • You may not waive coverage midyear. If you waive your insurance for the fall semester, you will automatically be waived for the spring semester.

Premium Costs and Coverage for 2023–2024

Health insurance premiums are billed to the student's account. The cost of the Aetna student health plans for the 2023–2024 academic year are:

  • Domestic student plan: $2,000 annual rate ($1,000 per semester, charged in fall and spring terms).
  • International student plan (F-1, J-1 visa holders): $2,130 annual rate ($1,065 per semester, charged in fall and spring terms).

A description of the plan benefits can be found at aetnastudenthealth.com.

Fall semester insurance coverage begins August 1, 2023 and ends December 31, 2024. Spring semester coverage begins January 1, 2024 and ends July 31, 2024. If you are enrolled for the fall semester, your enrollment will be automatically renewed for the spring semester. As indicated above, you may not waive coverage midyear. If you waive your insurance for the fall semester, you will automatically be waived for the spring semester.

Some New York Tech graduate and part-time students will not automatically be enrolled, Unfortunately, there is no longer a voluntary enrollment process for these students. We look forward to assisting you with any questions regarding the mandatory enrollment and waiver process. Please feel free to contact the Office of Counseling and Wellness: