Who it's for
- Undergraduate and graduate students, full-time or part-time
- Students attending school out of state or far from a parent's plan network
- Students aging off a parent's plan or whose school requires proof of coverage
- Parents who want to understand the options before school starts
How it works
Students usually choose between three routes. Staying on a parent's plan is often simplest, as long as the plan's network works near campus. A school-sponsored student health plan is built around the campus health center and the school year. An individual plan, from the Marketplace or a carrier, follows the student wherever they live and is tied to their home address.
Many schools require proof of coverage. If a student already has a plan, the school typically asks for a waiver by a set deadline; miss it and the school plan may be added to the tuition bill automatically.
Students who file their own taxes and aren't claimed as a dependent may qualify for Marketplace savings based on their own income, which can make an individual plan worth comparing.
What it covers
Depending on the route you choose, student coverage typically includes:
- Doctor visits, urgent care, and emergency care
- Preventive care such as checkups and recommended vaccines
- Prescription drug coverage
- Mental health and substance use services
- Hospital care if something more serious happens
What affects the cost
Prices aren't one-size-fits-all. These factors usually make the biggest difference:
- Which route you choose (parent's plan, school plan, or individual plan)
- The student's age and the county where they live
- Whether the student is claimed as a tax dependent, which affects Marketplace savings
- The plan's deductible, copays, and network
- Whether coverage needs to work in two places, such as home and campus
The cheapest-looking option isn't always the least expensive in practice. A parent's plan with no nearby in-network doctors can cost more in the end than a plan built around where the student lives.
When you can enroll
Individual Marketplace plans follow Open Enrollment. For 2027 coverage, Open Enrollment runs November 1, 2026 through January 15, 2027. Choose a plan by December 15, 2026 for coverage that starts January 1; plans chosen December 16 through January 15 generally start February 1. School plans follow the school's own enrollment and waiver deadlines, usually at the start of the fall or spring term. Turning 26 or losing school coverage after graduation is generally a qualifying life event that opens a Special Enrollment Period.
Key things to know
There are usually three main routes
Stay on a parent's plan, enroll in a school-sponsored student health plan (if your school offers one), or buy an individual plan, either through the Health Insurance Marketplace or directly from a carrier.
You can generally stay on a parent's plan until age 26
Under the Affordable Care Act, plans that cover dependents generally must allow children to stay on until they turn 26, even if they're in school, married, or living elsewhere.
Networks matter when you're away from home
A parent's plan may have few in-network providers near campus. Check the network where the student will actually live, not just where the family lives.
Schools may require proof of coverage
Many schools automatically enroll students in a student plan unless you show comparable coverage and submit a waiver by a deadline.
Income-based savings may apply
A student who isn't claimed as a dependent may qualify for savings on a Marketplace plan based on their own income.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Missing the school's waiver deadline and paying for two plans
- Assuming a parent's HMO will cover routine care in another state
- Forgetting that school plans often end after graduation
- Not planning ahead for aging off a parent's plan at 26
- Overlooking mental health coverage near campus
How Hollen helps
Hollen compares the options side by side for the student's actual location: the parent's plan network near campus, the school plan, and individual plans. She can help with timing around waiver deadlines, graduation, and turning 26 so there's no gap.
Frequently asked questions
Is a school health plan required?
It depends on the school. Some require all students to have coverage and enroll them in the school plan unless they waive it with proof of other coverage. Check your school's requirements and deadlines.
Is it cheaper to stay on my parent's plan?
Sometimes, but not always. It depends on the parent's plan costs, the network near campus, and whether a separate plan could qualify for savings. Hollen can help you compare.
What happens when I turn 26?
Aging off a parent's plan is generally a qualifying life event, which can open a Special Enrollment Period to choose a new plan outside of Open Enrollment.
Can a student get their own Marketplace plan?
Yes. A student can apply on their own. If they aren't claimed as a dependent, savings are based on their own income; if they are, the parent's household is used.
Related coverage
Individual / Private Health Insurance · Family Health Insurance Plans · Relocation Health Insurance · Affordable Care Act (ACA) Plans · Dental Insurance Plans
Hollen is licensed in 14 states. See coverage details for South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Texas, Florida, or all licensed states.
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This page is general educational information, not a guarantee of coverage, eligibility, or cost. Benefits, availability, and rules vary by plan, carrier, and state. Contact Hollen for details on specific plans.