Explanation of Fees
Student Activities Fee
The Student Activities fee is required of all degree candidates and is added to their term bills each semester. The funds generated are used to support student-initiated co-curricular programming and the activities of formally recognized student organizations.
Student Health Insurance and Fee
Required Student Health Insurance
Massachusetts law requires that students enrolled in an institution of higher learning in Massachusetts participate in a student health insurance program or in a health benefit plan with comparable coverage. All Harvard students are automatically enrolled in the Harvard University Student Health Program (HUSHP), and the cost of the program is applied to their student bill. The Harvard University Student Health Program (HUSHP) is comprised of two parts:
- Student Health Fee (SHF)
The Student Health Fee is required of all registered students who are enrolled more than half-time and are studying in Massachusetts. This fee covers most services at Harvard University Health Services (HUHS), including internal medicine, medical/surgical specialty care, mental health/counseling services, physical therapy, and urgent care. - Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP)
The Student Health Insurance Plan provides hospital/specialty care and prescription drug coverage through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. Coverage includes emergency room visits, hospitalizations, diagnostic laboratory/radiology services, ambulatory surgery, specialty care outside HUHS (limited), and prescription drug coverage. Benefit limits and cost-sharing may apply.
Waiving the Student Health Insurance Plan
Students enrolled in comparable health insurance may be eligible to waive the Student Health Insurance Plan. Waivers must be completed by the appropriate deadline published by HUHS (for the full academic year, or either fall or spring) or the charges will remain on the student bill.
Before waiving, students should carefully evaluate whether their existing health plan will provide adequate, comprehensive coverage in the Boston area. Students are fully responsible for all medical claims and prescription drug costs if you waive the Student Health Insurance Plan.
International students studying on campus at Harvard are not eligible to waive the Student Health Insurance Plan with foreign insurance, including those with a U.S.-based administrator. This is a requirement pursuant to the Massachusetts student health program regulations.
A limited number of students who meet certain criteria (e.g., students studying out of the area) are able to also waive the Student Health Fee. Waivers must be completed by the appropriate deadline published by HUHS (for the full academic year, or either fall or spring) or the charges will remain on the student bill.
Dependent Coverage
Students may enroll their married spouse and/or unmarried dependent children (under age 26) in SHIP. Enrollment and renewal for dependents is not automatic and must be completed by the deadlines published by HUHS. Rates and enrollment forms are available at hushp.harvard.edu.
Optional Dental Coverage
An optional dental plan is available for students. Student dependents are eligible to enroll only when the student is enrolled. Coverage is effective from August 1, 2023, to July 31, 2025. Enrollment and renewal are not automatic, and the deadline for both is September 30, 2023. Students who do not enroll in a dental plan may choose to receive care on a fee-for-service basis. Harvard Dental Service offers students a preventive care package and a discount on all specialty services. The Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM) Dental Center also provides dental care to students.
For information on the Harvard University Student Health Program policies, benefits, limitations, and exclusions, including waiver eligibility and dependent enrollment, the HUHSP website.