Eligibility
- Graduate assistants with a teaching, research, or administrative assistantship are required to be enrolled in the Self Only medical insurance.
- Domestic graduate assistants may enroll their spouse/domestic partner and dependent children. Dependents must be added within 31 days of your hire or a Qualifying Event.
- Dependents accompanying international students must be enrolled in the ISU Student Health Insurance: https://www.registrar.iastate.edu/fees/glossary-of-fees#ins
Premium Deductions
All premiums that Graduate Assistants are responsible for paying are deducted from their pay. As we begin the 2023-24 Plan year, Graduate Assistants also begin a new pay schedule. To find out more information on when to expect deductions, please visit the Knowledge Base Article here: Semi-monthly Benefit Transition for Graduate Assistants
Medical
Graduate Assistants are required to be on Medical Insurance for the duration of their Appointment. To request a waiver please visit our WAIVE page.
The ISU Student and Scholar Medical coverage is a Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Plan that offers office visits and outpatient services, Well-child care, in-network preventive care, in-network routine vision exams, in-network prosthetic limbs and in-network services for mental health/substance abuse independent labs, office visits and outpatient services and services subject to health and drug card copayments.
| 2024-25 Medical Rates | Monthly Premium | ISU Department Contribution | Graduate Assistant Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate Assistant (GA) | $ 249.00 | $ 249.00 | $ 0.00 |
| GA and Spouse/Domestic Partner | $ 525.00 | $ 299.00 | $ 226.00 |
| GA and Child(ren) | $ 475.00 | $ 286.00 | $ 189.00 |
| GA, Spouse/Domestic Partner, and Child(ren) | $ 751.00 | $ 330.00 | $ 421.00 |
PLEASE NOTE: All insurance premiums will be deducted from your pay.
Since many graduate assistants do not receive summer pay, an extra deduction will be taken in March and April to pay for the June and July insurance.
Dental
The ISU Student Dental coverage is a Delta Dental Plan that offers 2 cleanings per year, diagnostic and preventative services at 0% coinsurance with no deductible. This plan does not cover orthodontics or wisdom tooth removal.
Graduate Assistants are eligible to be on Dental Insurance for the duration of their Appointment.
- Graduate Assistants receive a portion of the Self-only dental insurance premium as a paid benefit of their position.
- Spouses/Domestic Partners and dependent children can be enrolled at an additional cost to you.
- You must submit a Qualifying Event form within 31 days of your appointment to be enrolled in dental.
| 2024-25 Dental Rates | Monthly Premium | ISU Department Contribution | Graduate Assistant Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate Assistant (GA) | $23.50 | $13.00 | $10.50 |
| GA and Spouse/Domestic Partner | $46.50 | $13.00 | $33.50 |
| GA and Child(ren) | $45.00 | $13.00 | $32.00 |
| GA, Spouse/Domestic Partner, and Child(ren) | $75.00 | $13.00 | $62.00 |
PLEASE NOTE: All insurance premiums will be deducted from your pay.
Since many graduate assistants do not receive summer pay, an extra deduction will be taken in March and April to pay for the June and July insurance.
END OF APPOINTMENT
When your Assistantship ends, your paid insurance also ends.
- If your appointment ends with the Fall semester, coverage will continue until December 31.
- If your appointment ends with the Spring semester, coverage will continue until July 31.
- If your appointment ends mid-semester, your coverage ends on the last day of the month in which you are separated.
- Students remaining on SSHIP after their appointment ends will be charged their premiums on their u-bill.
- Domestic Students are able to cancel coverage at this time for both medical and dental.
- Domestic students wishing to continue coverage in SSHIP past an appointment must be enrolled in at least 5 credit hours to be eligible.
- International Students who remain enrolled in at least 1 credit hour are able to cancel only Dental as Medical is still required, premiums will be charged to their u-bill.