University of North Texas 
Benefits and Insurance
Doctoral and MFA Assistantship Insurance Coverage
The University of North Texas offers health insurance coverage as part of doctoral and master of fine arts (MFA) students' assistantship package. If awarded an assistantship and the eligibility criteria are met, students will receive a health insurance allowance to help offset the cost of insurance.
Health Insurance Details
As a graduate student employee, you hold a hybrid status, both student and employee. Because of this, you have access to two different types of health insurance benefits—SHIP (Student Health Insurance Plan) or a plan offered through ERS (Employees Retirement System of Texas). This guide explains your options, what actions you need to take and how to stay compliant each year.
Quick Start — What You Need to Know First
If you are hired as an RA, TA, TF or GSA at 20 hours/week (0.5 FTE):
| Step | Action | Required? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | You are automatically enrolled in SHIP | Yes | Default plan |
| 2 | Decide whether to keep SHIP or enroll in ERS | Optional | ERS requires paying part of the premium |
| 3 | If waiving SHIP - submit proof of current insurance as requested | Only if waiving out of SHIP coverage | Not waiving coverage= automatic SHIP enrollment |
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the health insurance fellowship benefit, students must:
- Be admitted to a PhD or MFA program
- Hold a 50% FTE salaried graduate appointment
- Be enrolled in at least 9 credit hours (or meet one of the full-time exceptions noted
in (UNT Policy 06.020)
Eligible dependents (legal spouses and children under 26) can be voluntarily enrolled in both ERS and SHIP plans at the student’s expense. Dependent coverage is not included in the fellowship.
Important Deadlines & Enrollment
- Students must be hired and on payroll by the 12th class day of the semester (census day).
- If your employment starts mid-semester or if your onboarding is delayed past the 12th class day, you won’t be eligible for that term’s insurance. Insurance eligibility would begin the following semester.
- If you experience a qualifying life event (like marriage, birth of a child or loss of coverage), you may be eligible for special enrollment.
Your Insurance Options
Students will receive an election form through their student email to inform the university of the coverage election that they would like to choose, either the SHIP or ERS plan. Students must submit the form by the communicated deadline...
Option 1 — SHIP (Student Health Insurance Plan)
Default plan
- You are automatically enrolled once hired at 0.5 FTE
- Premium appears in your student account
- You may pay the premium in full or through a payment plan
- The university will provide a one-time taxable payment of $1,790 on your paycheck in February 2026 to help offset the cost (as long as employment continues). Coverage will be valid through the end of Summer 2026
Basic dental and vision coverage options exist and are included in SHIP. Broader coverage plans may be available for individual purchase.
Option 2 — ERS Employee Insurance (Employee Plan)
You must actively choose and enroll
- Not automatic — you must contact HR Benefits to enroll
- 60-day waiting period for medical to begin
- You must pay 50% of the premium out-of-pocket (~$2,698.48 for spring and summer 2026 terms)
- The university will provide a one-time taxable payment of $1,790 on your paycheck in February 2026 to help offset the cost (as long as employment continues). Coverage will be valid through the end of Summer 2026
Visual Comparison
| Feature | SHIP (Default) | ERS (Employee Plan) |
|---|---|---|
| Automatic enrollment | Yes | No — must enroll manually |
| Cost | $1,556 Spring and Summer 2026 | Higher - you pay 50% of premium -- $2,698.48 Spring and Summer 2026 |
| Waiting period | None | 60 days for medical |
| Fellowship health allowance | $1,790 one-time taxable health care allowance | $1,790 one-time taxable health care allowance |
| Best suited for | Most graduate employees | Students preferring employee-level coverage |
Although plans have comparable coverage, because graduate student employees are considered part-time, those who enroll in the ERS plan must pay 50% of the premium out of pocket ($2,698.48 for the Spring and Summer 2026 terms). The preferred option for all salaried graduate student employees is SHIP because of the lower out-of-pocket costs.
International graduate student employees are automatically enrolled in SHIP.
Waiving SHIP
Some students already have valid outside insurance and may want to waive SHIP.
If you waive SHIP:
- You do not receive the health insurance allowance
- A waiver must be submitted at each enrollment period
- Missing the deadline = you remain enrolled in SHIP for the coverage semester (Fall or Spring/Summer)
If you elect to waive coverage on the election form completed through myUNT, you will be contacted to provide proof of current insurance coverage.
Doctoral and MFA Assistantship Insurance FAQ
Q: Who is eligible for this insurance plan?
A: Degree-seeking doctoral and master of fine arts students at UNT who meet the Tuition
Benefit Program guidelines (0.5 FTE salaried graduate appointment and enrolled in
at least 9 credit hours or meet one of the full-time exceptions noted in Policy 06.020) are eligible. Eligible dependents (legal spouse and children under 26) may be voluntarily
enrolled. Premiums for dependents are paid at the time of voluntary enrollment and
are not part of the recruitment fellowship package.
Q: I have outside insurance through the Marketplace, spouse or parent. Can I still
receive the allowance?
A: No. Students who waive SHIP or ERS are not eligible for the allowance.
Q: If I stop working or drop below 20 hours, what happens to my insurance?
A: Your eligibility ends. A COBRA continuation notice will be mailed to you if you are
enrolled in ERS and coverage will continue until the last day of the month, when your
employment changes. If you are enrolled in SHIP, a qualifying life event (QLE) is
created and coverage continues until the end of the current coverage period. Note,
documentation of the QLE event needs to be submitted within 30 days.
Q: Who funds the premium for eligible students?
A: The Vice Provost for Academic Affairs covers premiums for doctoral and MFA students
who meet eligibility requirements.
Q: What if the student is funded by a research grant?
A: Faculty are encouraged to budget for the insurance premium in their grant proposals.
If grants cannot cover it, central funding will be available.
Q: What if a student changes funding source mid-term?
A: Insurance should continue uninterrupted. Funding source changes will only be allowed
due to changes in grant funding. Departments must manage the transition and work with
Student Accounting to reallocate expenses.
Q: Who handles reallocations and expense questions?
A: Student Accounting is the primary contact for expense reallocations.
Q: What about students admitted to doctoral programs but starting coursework at the
master’s level?
A: These students are eligible for centrally-funded insurance benefits as long as they
are officially admitted to a doctoral program.
Q: Do I need to be employed to be eligible?
A: Yes. Students must hold a 0.5 FTE salaried graduate appointment (Teaching Fellow,
Teaching Assistant, Graduate Assistant, or Research Assistant) and meet the institution’s
Tuition Benefit Program guidelines. Please note that hourly employment does not count
towards the 0.5 FTE salaried graduate appointment.
Q: How often will student eligibility be audited each term?
A: Audits should occur at least twice per term to ensure accuracy and compliance.
Need Help? Contact the Right Office
| Topic | Contact | |
|---|---|---|
| SHIP enrollment, waivers, billing | Graduate Tuition Benefits | sa.gradaward@mail.unt.edu |
| ERS plan enrollment questions | HR/Employee Benefits | hrbenefits@untsystem.edu |
| Hiring status or eligibility | Your academic department |
Insurance Benefits for Assistantships
Graduate students who have an assistantship but are not eligible for the Recruitment Fellowship Coverage have two benefit plans for which they may elect to enroll. Enrollment in benefits is not required. Student insurance costs will vary depending on the plan and the level of coverage selected in either plan.
Group Benefit Program (GBP)
This program is for students employed at least 0.5 FTE and is administered by the Employee Retirement System (ERS) of Texas. Students receiving centrally-funded support via assistantship will receive centrally-funded contributions to this plan. Details regarding the program can be found at UNT Group Insurance. Any questions regarding the Group Benefit Program can be answered by HR benefits.
Student Insurance Plan
Any salaried graduate student, domestic or international, can enroll in the Student Insurance Plan regardless of FTE. Details regarding the plan can be found at UNT's Health & Wellness Center or UnitedHealthcare Student Resources.
Steps to Finalize Insurance Coverage
You will be automatically enrolled in the UNT Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) unless you take action. You will receive an email directly from Academic Health Plans (AHP), our insurance program administrator, with instructions on how to finalize your insurance enrollment, waive coverage (where applicable) and add dependents.
Please review the options below and complete the steps at UNT Academic Health Plans Portal
To Login:
To sign in, enter your 8-digit UNT student ID number then enter your password. Your
password will be your birthday in MM/DD/YYYY format.
To finalize your insurance plan:
You must finalize your enrollment or submit a waiver request with AHP.
If no action is taken:
Students who do not complete enrollment or submit a waiver request through UNT Academic Health Plans Portal will be automatically enrolled in SHIP.
Adding dependents:
Dependents may be added during open enrollment after the student enrolls in the health insurance plan.
To request an insurance waiver:
If you do not wish to be enrolled in SHIP, you must follow the steps below to submit
an online waiver request:
- Visit UNT Academic Health Plans Waiver
- Choose the applicable population:
-
- International Students (excluding IELI and International Exchange Students)
- International Exchange Students
- IELI Students
- International and Domestic PhD Students
- Scroll down and click the blue button to enroll or waive
- You will be taken to the AHP Student – Sign In page
- To sign in, enter your 8 digit UNT student ID number then enter your password(Your password will be your birthday in MM/DD/YYYY format)
- Click the WAIVE button and proceed accordingly
- Once submitted, you will receive an on-screen confirmation
Note: Students who waive coverage are not eligible for the doctoral and MFA healthcare allowance.
International Student Insurance Requirements
All international students and scholars holding non-immigrant visas must carry UNT-approved health insurance coverage during the entire period of their UNT residence. Residence is defined as that continuous period from initial orientation and enrollment or employment, including holidays, through graduation or final separation from the university. International students are automatically charged for the UNT-offered policy each semester at registration and must provide proof of comparable insurance by the established deadline at International Advising to avoid purchasing the UNT-offered policy. International scholars must demonstrate acceptable insurance coverage at International Advising during their initial orientation session. The University has contracted with UnitedHealthcare Student Resources to offer a Student Insurance Plan to international students. Details regarding the plan can be found at the UNT's Health and Wellness Center or UnitedHealthcare Student Resources.