Division of Student Life | Student Health Center
Division of Student Life | Student Health Center
Student Health Center

New Student Requirements

First Year Undergraduate Students

Undergraduate students attending Saint Joseph's University for the first time who meet the criteria below are required to submit a Health Packet: 

  • Incoming freshman or incoming undergraduate transfer 
  • Degree seeking and currently enrolled
  • Full-time credit status
  • On-ground (taking any courses on campus in person) 

Health Packet components must be submitted to the Student Health Portal by August 1st for Fall semester, December 1st for Spring semester, and May 1st for Summer semester. Students that do not submit their forms will be placed on a health hold and will be unable to register for classes.

Students can access electronic forms and printable PDFs for Health Packet requirements on the Student Health Portal at https://sju.studenthealthportal.com/. Simply log in with your SJU credentials.

*Health Packet requirements vary by campus location. Please refer to the drop-down menus below for the specific requirements for applicable undergraduate students.

Health Packet Requirements by Location

Philadelphia Health Packet Checklist
Lancaster Health Packet Checklist

International Students

All international students attending Saint Joseph's University for the first time (undergraduate and graduate) are required to submit the Tuberculosis (TB) Screening Questionnaire form found under the 'Forms' section of the Student Health Portal. 

International undergraduate students who also meet the criteria below are required to submit a Health Packet:

  • Incoming freshman or incoming undergraduate transfer 
  • Degree seeking and currently enrolled
  • Full-time credit status
  • On-ground (taking any courses on campus in person) 

Health Packet components must be submitted to the Health Portal by August 1st for Fall semester, December 1st for Spring semester, and May 1st for Summer semester. Students that do not submit their forms will be placed on a health hold and will be unable to register for classes.

Students can access electronic forms and printable PDFs for Health Packet requirements on the Student Health Portal at https://sju.studenthealthportal.com/. Simply log in with your SJU credentials.

*Health Packet requirements vary by campus location. Please refer to the drop-down menus below for the specific requirements for applicable undergraduate international students.

Health Packet Requirements by Location

Clinical & Experiential Learning

Some programs have additional health/ immunization requirements to clear students for clinical and/or experiential learning during the professional phase of their education. The Student Health Center does not manage health requirements for the professional phase of these programs. These programs include but are not limited to: 

  • PharmD

  • MOT

  • DrOT

  • DPT

  • PA

  • Nursing

Students enrolled in programs with clinical and/or experiential learning should refer to their specific programs and clinical site coordinators to ensure they have met any additional program health requirements and have submitted those requirements to the appropriate program office/portal.  

 

Important Note:

Failure to meet specific vaccination requirements of a clinical or experiential learning site may delay program completion. 

Questions? 

Philadelphia College of Pharmacy
Department of Occupational Therapy
Department of Physical Therapy
Department of Physician Assistant
The School of Nursing and Allied Health

Health Insurance Requirement

Good health is essential to academic success. Unexpected medical bills can threaten your ability to complete your education should you be uninsured or have inadequate coverage. In an effort to ensure students’ physical and financial health, eligible students are required to purchase or waive the University-sponsored Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) each academic year. *Not applicable to Lancaster students at this time.

The SHIP is an ACA-compliant plan insured by UnitedHealthcare Student Resources (UHCSR) and includes access to United's national PPO network. Additional plan information can be found on the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) website.

Students who do not submit an approved waiver by the deadline will be automatically enrolled and charged for the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP). Students intending to purchase the plan should submit the enrollment form to access their insurance benefits.

The following degree-seeking students from Hawk Hill and University City must maintain active health insurance while attending Saint Joseph’s University. *Not applicable to Lancaster students at this time.

 

HEALTH INSURANCE REQUIREMENT CRITERIA

Undergraduate & Graduate

Registered for six or more credits

At least 50% of credits in person 

International

Registered for one or more credits

At least 50% of credits in person  

PhD & EdD

Registered for one or more credits

At least 50% of credits in person  

Domestic student-athletes

Registered for six or more credits

No minimum in person credit requirement 

International student-athletes

Registered for one or more credits 

No minimum in person credit requirement 

SJU Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP)

Access the SHIP Website

The Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) spring 2025 waiver deadline was February 3, 2025. 

For information about the health insurance plan, Qualifying Life Events (QLE), or to access your insurance card, please go to University Health Plans webpage. Students or a representative of the students who have questions about their waiver or waiver requirements may contact UHP at: 833-207-7508. 

SHIP Highlights

  • COST AND COVERAGE PERIODS

     

    Annual Students

    Newly Eligible Spring Students

    Coverage Period

    08/17/24 - 08/16/25

    01/01/25 - 08/16/25

    Cost

    $2,850

    $1,779

    Waiver Deadline

    10/6/24

    02/3/25

  • Eligible students who do not submit an approved waiver by the deadline will be automatically enrolled and charged for the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP). Students should submit an enrollment form as soon as possible to avoid difficulties accessing their health insurance benefits. 

    Approximately four business days after the enrollment form is submitted, the student can access the insurance ID card via the  Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) website. If an enrollment or waiver form is not submitted by the deadline, students are enrolled in the SHIP retroactively to the policy effective date and are responsible for the insurance premium.

  • Students with comparable health insurance may submit a waiver form by February 3, 2025 to opt-out. To be considered comparable, your plan must:

    • Be filed and approved in the US and compliant with the Affordable Care Act (ACA)

    • Provide comprehensive, non-emergency benefits in the geographical area surrounding the school

    Waiver forms may be reviewed, and if the plan does not meet the requirements, students will be notified that their waiver form is not accepted. Please refer to the waiver form for additional information about the waiver requirements and comparable plans. 

  • Students will be retroactively terminated and refunded (pending a claim review) if they do not attend classes or fall below the minimum credit limit or on-campus credit requirement within the initial 31 days of classes. 

  • Once the student meets eligibility for the first 31 days, the student remains enrolled for the entire policy period. Mid-year terminations are not permitted. However, if a student enrolled in annual coverage does not return to SJU for the spring semester, the student may request termination of the spring/summer coverage period by submitting the spring termination form by January 20, 2025. 

  • Students who waived the SHIP may not voluntarily enroll during the policy year. However, students may qualify for special enrollment rights if they have a qualifying life event, such as losing other coverage. The qualifying life event enrollment form requires supporting documentation and payment and must be submitted within 31 days of losing other coverage.