Health Insurance Premium Support

Beginning in Fall 2026, the University of Houston will provide health insurance premium support to eligible graduate assistants. This new program is designed to help offset the cost of health insurance coverage and support graduate student well-being and success.

Eligibility

To be eligible to receive premium support, graduate assistants must:

• Be employed in an eligible appointment of at least 0.50 FTE (on or before October 1 for fall premium support, or on or before February 1 for spring and summer) as a:
  • Research Assistant (RA)
  • Research Assistant - Tuition Exempt (RA-TE)
  • Instructional Assistant (IA)
  • Teaching Assistant (TA)
  • Teaching Fellow (TF)
• Be enrolled full-time in a graduate degree program (minimum 9 SCH each Fall/Spring). An exception to the minimum enrollment requirement is permitted during a student's graduating semester, provided that an official Application for Graduation has been submitted and approved by the university.*
• Not be enrolled in a JD, MD, OD, or PharmD program.

NOTE: Graduate assistants enrolled in the Employees Retirement System (ERS) health plan are not eligible for this program.

*Students who are enrolled in fewer than 9 SCH for other approved academic reasons may also be considered for an exception. Such requests must be supported by an approved graduate petition and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the Graduate School. Approval of an exception is not guaranteed and will depend on the student's individual circumstances and supporting documentation.

How the Program Works

Eligible graduate assistants will receive two one-time salary payments each academic year, one in the fall semester and one in the spring semester.  Eligibility will be verified each semester based on the criteria noted above. Payment amounts will be reviewed annually and may change based on health insurance premium costs and available university funding.

Estimated 2026-27 Salary Payments*

*Payment amounts will be reviewed annually and may be adjusted based on insurance costs and available funding.

For reference, current SHIP premium rates are available here.

Frequently Asked Questions