Virginia Tech's Waiver Deadline Is August 31. Here's What You Need to Know Before Then!

Virginia Tech's waiver deadline is August 31. Miss it, and you're locked into the school plan for the full year — no exceptions.

Is the school plan actually mandatory, or can you waive it? That depends on whether your alternative coverage meets three things Virginia Tech checks before approving.

Here's exactly what Virginia Tech requires — and how VISIT's plans line up against it.

How Much Can You Save?

Students who are automatically enrolled in the Virginia Tech student health plan may be able to waive that coverage when they already have an alternative plan that satisfies the university's rules. A waiver can reduce the amount charged to your student account — but approval is never automatic. The alternative plan and every supporting document must match the school's current requirements.

Here is how the VIRGINIA TECH school plan compares to three of our most popular options for VT students. All three meet VIRGINIA TECH waiver requirements.

Feature	VT SHIP Plan	VISIT® ELITE 450	VISIT® ELITE 250	VISIT® ELITE PLUS
Save up to	—	$2,372	$2,085	$1,533
Price (Age 17-24)	$3,993	$1,620.60	$1,908.95	$2,460
Price (Age 25-27)	$3,993	$2,197.30	$2,544.05	$2,832
Price (Age 28-29)	$3,993	$3,347.05	$3,934.70	$5,135
Medical Maximum	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited
Deductible	$450	$450	$250	$0
Coinsurance	80%	80%	80%	100%
Student Health Copay	$0	$0	$0	$0
Urgent Care Copay	$25	Deductible then $50 copayment	Deductible then $50 copayment	$50
ER Deductible	$300 copayment	Deductible then $200 copayment per visit (waived if admitted)	Deductible then $200 copayment per visit (waived if admitted)	100% of Allowable Charges $200 Copayment (waived if admitted)
Prescription Copay	See school plan for details	$15/$40/$75	$15/$40/$75	$5/$40/$60
Max Out-of-Pocket	$6,250	$5,000	$5,500	$5,000
Pre-Existing Conditions	No waiting period	No waiting period	No waiting period	No waiting period
Mental Health	Included$300 copay/90 coinsurance Inpatient	Deductible then 20% Coinsurance	Deductible then 20% Coinsurance	100% Outpatient: $25 copay
Preventive Care	100% In-Network	100% In-Network	100% In-Network	100% In-Network
Maternity	90-65% coinsurance based on location	Deductible + 80% Coinsurance	Deductible + 80% Coinsurance	Deductible + 100% Coinsurance
Repatriation	—	$50,000	$50,000	$50,000
Medical Evacuation	—	$120,000	$120,000	$120,000
PPO Network	AETNA	UHC	UHC	UHC
		Enroll Today	Enroll Today	Enroll Today

VISIT® ELITE 450 starts as low as $1,620.60 for students ages 17–24 and is designed to meet Virginia Tech's waiver criteria. ELITE 250 offers a lower deductible at a higher premium. ELITE Plus provides the most comprehensive coverage with no deductible. Review the current school plan rate on the Virginia Tech insurance page before comparing.

Virginia Tech Waiver Requirements

Review the university's current criteria before purchasing or submitting an alternative plan. The waiver administrator makes the final approval decision.

1. The policy must offer adequate care within a 50 mile/80 kilometer radius of the campus of enrollment.

2. The policy must provide a minimum of $25,000 for repatriation of remains AND $50,000 medical evacuation to the home country.

3. The policy must have no annual or lifetime limits on medical, mental health, substance abuse, and prescription medication benefits, and have no internal limits on major coverages.

4. The policy must have an annual deductible of $500 or less.

5. The policy must cover preexisting conditions for the entire policy term with no waiting period.

6. Medical expenses for pregnancy, childbirth and complications of pregnancy must be treated as any other illness under the policy, regardless of gender.

7. Coverage term date requirements:

   • For students entering in the Summer: The policy must be valid from the student's first day of classes or mandatory program participation (varies by program) with coverage through July 31, the following year or, if graduating, the last day of the month of the student’s graduation. 

   • For students entering in the Fall: The policy must be valid from the first day of classes with coverage through July 31 the following year or, if graduating, the last day of the month of the student’s graduation.

   • For students entering in the Spring: The policy must be valid from the first day of classes with coverage through July 31 or, if graduating, the last day of the month of the student’s graduation.

8. Review the waiver process to complete the online form: https://risk.vt.edu/content/dam/risk_vt_edu/smi-plans/How%20to%20international%20waiver%20pdf%20(1)%20(1).pdf

VISIT® ELITE plans are designed to meet these criteria. Confirm that your selected plan and effective dates align with Virginia Tech's current requirements before submitting.

How to Submit Your Waiver — Step by Step

1. Choose the appropriate VISIT® plan. Open the school's VISIT® page and review the ELITE Plans options.

2. Enroll and collect your documents. Save your digital insurance ID card, confirmation, and certificate or benefit summary.

3. Open the university waiver portal. Sign in with your Hokie Passport credentials and enter the requested insurance information.

4. Upload and review. Upload all required documents, check every date and policy number, then submit before the deadline.

5. Keep the approval. Save the approval email or screenshot and confirm that the school-plan charge is removed or credited.1.      
   

Do Not Miss the Waiver Deadline

2026–2027 deadline: August 31, 2026 for fall/annual enrollment or waiver. Submit early enough to correct missing documents or respond to a pending or denied application. The waiver administrator makes the final approval decision — plan accordingly.

Why Students Consider VISIT® Insurance

VISIT® Insurance has helped international students find health insurance options since 1979. The goal is not simply to select the cheapest plan, but to identify an option that fits the student's needs, budget, and university requirements.

• Multiple plan choices designed for international students

• Age-based pricing that may cost less for younger students

• Fast online enrollment and digital documents

• Help matching the plan to the university's waiver criteria

• Refund support when a waiver is denied and the plan has not been used

Questions? VISIT® Is Here!

Email: info@visitinsurance.com   |   Phone: 703-660-9062

Money-Back Guarantee

If the school denies your waiver, you may request a refund within the period allowed by the applicable VISIT® terms, provided the plan has not been used. Send the denial notice promptly to info@visitinsurance.com. Review the current refund terms before enrollment.

Disclaimer: Benefits, premiums, deadlines, and waiver criteria are subject to change. Review the policy documents and the university's current requirements. Waiver approval is determined solely by the university or its waiver administrator.