Amid ongoing delays in the distribution of financial aid packages and funds, students reported that their University of California Student Health Insurance Plan (UC SHIP) was unavailable Thursday.
The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships (OFAS) notified students on Sept. 10 about Zotaid technical difficulties that are causing aid letters to be delayed. Most students have received their letters, but many are still waiting for funds to be transferred to their Zot Billing accounts.
Due to the delays, OFAS announced that those waiting for assistance will not be fined or lose their classes or housing after the application deadline for fall quarter 2024, which was September 16.
Students then began to notice that their UC SHIP plans were inactive because the financial aid that covers these fees was not being deposited into student accounts.
"I just wanted to share that the schools' delays in paying enrollment fees and tuition are negatively impacting those who rely on UC SHIP as their primary health insurance," Reddit user Fit-Birthday2387 wrote on r/UCI. "The school or financial aid office has made no comment on this. This is beyond frustrating considering many people rely on UCSHIP for mental health services, doctor visits, and necessary medications."
UC SHIP helps students get health services such as visits to specialists, mental health services, medications, and more. All students are automatically enrolled in UC SHIP unless they choose to opt out.
On Wednesday, students received an email from the Student Health Center (SHC) stating that they are "aware of the delay" in financial aid and how it has affected UC SHIP.
"SHC is working to ensure that all enrolled students enrolled in UC SHIP have access to health care coverage. We are in the final stages of processing your application," the email reads.
The cost of UC SHIP has increased this year, which OFAS believes is one reason why many students' aid packages were lower than last year. For the 2023-2024 academic year, the annual cost for undergraduates was $2,185.65 and the annual cost for graduates was $5,518.86. This year, the annual cost for undergraduates is $2,653.11 and the annual cost for graduates is $6,842.40.
The UC SHIP program was also packaged differently in the UCI grant. In previous years, the UCI grant combined funds for UC SHIP, the UC Debt-Free Pathway plan, and the University Student Assistance Program. This year, the grant was split into three different categories: the UCI grant, the USHIP grant, and the Anteater grant.
"Based on your FAFSA or CADAA score, you may be eligible for one or a combination of these grants," OFAS explains on its website.
Fourth-year Psychological Sciences and Criminology student Jackie Hernandez told New University about how her therapist informed her this week that her insurance is inactive. Until her UC SHIP kicks in, she will have to pay for her next session out of pocket, which can range from $100 to $200.
"It has affected my ability to get mental health care," Hernandez told New University. "I've been getting mental health care for over two years now, and it's something that I depend on to some extent. So I think it's affected my mental health in general."
A similar situation occurred last year with graduate students in the Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Science who had to pay late tuition. Amelia Roskin-Frazee, PhD candidate in sociology and president of the Graduate Student Association, explained how these students "temporarily lost their UC SHIP insurance." Many expressed their concerns to her when she was chair of the Student Health Insurance Advisory Committee.
"It's really scary if you have medical needs and you find out your insurance doesn't work," Roskin-Frazee told New University. "Health care is so expensive in the U.S. that you really need insurance to be able to get health care, and without it, students were terrified."
Roskin-Frazee explained that graduate students have had their insurance fully reinstated after tuition payments are made. Once those payments are finalized, UC SHIP is activated and covers everything that applies to the beginning of the quarter.
"You may have to ask your provider to re-bill your insurance once it is activated if they tried to bill you and told you it was inactive. I would be absolutely shocked if all the claims that UC SHIP normally covers during this period are not covered after tuition and fees are paid," Roskin-Frazee said.
Non-SHC health services may require a "retroactive referral" which can be made through the patient portal on the Student Health Center website. Guidance on exemptions and requirements for referrals can be found here .
"It's not just about me, it's about other people," Hernandez said. "I also think it's unfair that the UCI or the financial aid office, whoever is in charge of this, didn't contact us and say this is something we need to look into. Because in that case I would have been more prepared."
According to SHC, you can still get care if you tell the front desk that "you are enrolled in UC SHIP and have not canceled your insurance. Those who need medical care outside of SHC need to contact SHC's insurance department through the patient portal to get a referral and temporary insurance card.