UAF policies

Policy on Mandatory Insurance for F-1 and J-1 International Students and Study-Away Students

UAF Policy 09.11.001

Original Adoption: December 19, 2017

Responsible Chancellor’s Cabinet Member: Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

Responsible Department/Office: Office of International Programs and Initiatives

Download signed policy (PDF)

POLICY STATEMENT

Under the authority delegated to the Chancellor by Regents’ Policy Part IX, Chapter 09.11, health insurance is mandatory for the following categories of students enrolled at the University of Alaska Fairbanks:

  • International students in F-1 and J-1 visa categories for whom UAF issues immigration documents.
  • All students participating in national and international exchange and study abroad programs outside the United States, that are administered through UAF International Programs and Initiatives.

Under the authority delegated to the Chancellor by Regents’ Policy Part IX, Chapter 09.11, insurance to cover expenses of medical evacuation and repatriation of remains is mandatory for the following categories of students enrolled at the University of Alaska Fairbanks:

  • International students in F-1 and J-1 visa categories for whom UAF issues immigration documents.
  • All students participating in national and international exchange and study abroad programs outside the United States, that are administered through UAF International Programs and Initiatives.

Under the authority delegated to the Chancellor by Regents’ Policy Part IX, Chapter 09.11, insurance against trip cancellation is mandatory for the following categories of students enrolled at the University of Alaska Fairbanks:

  • All students participating in national and international exchange and study abroad programs outside the United States, that are administered through UAF International Programs and Initiatives.

BACKGROUND & JUSTIFICATION

The cost of health care, medical evacuation, and/or repatriation of remains to Alaska from common study away sites (United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and Spain are some of the more common destinations), and to international students’ home countries can be very high. Some students have health coverage through their parents or as individuals, which may address the requirement, but many do not.

DEFINITIONS

International students in F-1 status are primarily degree-seeking students and in some cases non-degree-seeking.

International Students in J-1 status are primarily non-degree-seeking students attending UAF through a formalized partnership arrangement.

Study away is short term (one or two semesters) UAF student enrollment at a U.S. or international institution that is arranged through UAF International Programs and Initiatives. Students remain UAF degree-seeking students and do not transfer to the other institution. All of the following categories are included in “Study away”.

  • UAF Study Abroad students pay tuition and/or fees directly to the other institution or program.
  • UAF International Exchange students pay tuition for 15 UAF credits (7 lower division and 8 upper division), the UA network fee, and the UAF technology fee.
  • UAF National Student Exchange Plan A students pay resident tuition and fees to the host campus.
  • UAF National Student Exchange Plan B students pay tuition for 15 UAF credits (7 lower division and 8 upper division), the UA network fee, and the UAF technology fee.

REFERENCES RELIED UPON

UA Board of Regents’ Policy Part IX, Chapter 09.11.

RESPONSIBILITIES

International Students

  • UAF makes health insurance available to incoming international students. The UAF premium is automatically assessed to students’ accounts.
  • Students will provide documentation of appropriate coverage to UAF International Programs and Initiatives to request a waiver of the UAF health insurance charge.

Study Away Students

  • UAF requires students on study away programs outside of the United States to purchase an approved policy for the duration of their program, that includes coverage of medical evacuation, political and security evacuation, repatriation of remains and trip cancellation.
  • Students will provide documentation of appropriate coverage to UAF International Programs and Initiatives.

NON-COMPLIANCE

International Programs and Initiatives will not enroll students in UAF study away placeholder credits unless they provide documentation of appropriate insurance coverage.

EXCEPTIONS

None

PROCEDURES

International Students can meet this requirement by:

  • Purchasing the UAF health insurance plan.
  • Submitting documents to UAF International Programs and Initiatives to demonstrate existing coverage and request a waiver. Contact UAF International Programs and Initiatives for information on acceptable documentation.

Study Away Students can meet this requirement by:

  • Participating in a Study Abroad program that includes insurance in the program cost charged to the student.
  • Purchasing an approved study away policy. Contact UAF International Programs and Initiatives for approved providers.

POLICY APPROVED BY:

signature
Daniel M. White, Chancellor
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Signed: December 19, 2017