TF/RA Insurance Credit: Graduate Teaching Fellows & Research Assistants
As part of the financial aid package for full-time student Teaching Fellows and Research Assistants on the Charles River Campus, the University will credit your student account for your individual participation in the Boston University Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) at the Basic level. Full-time students are eligible for this credit in each academic semester (fall or spring) in which you are engaged as a Teaching Fellow or Research Assistant and are paid at least $5,000. In each semester of eligibility, a credit payment for half the annual cost of SHIP at the Basic level will be made directly to your student account at the beginning of each semester.
How do I know if I am eligible for the insurance credit?
Full-time students who are Teaching Fellows or Research Assistants being paid at least $5,000 each semester (fall and spring) are eligible to receive the insurance credit. You may contact the Graduate Financial Assistance coordinator in your school to ensure that you are eligible.
How much of a credit will I receive?
Your student account will be credited for the first half of the $3,280 SHIP Basic level charge, or $1,640* presuming that, as a Teaching Fellow or Research Assistant you are paid at least $5,000 for the Fall 2023 semester.
Your student account will be credited for the second half of the $3,280 SHIP Basic level charge, or $1,640* presuming that, as a Teaching Fellow or Research Assistant you are paid at least $5,000 for the Spring 2024 semester.
* The total credit amount for the academic year will not exceed the annual charge for the SHIP Basic level, $3,280. Students who opt to upgrade to the SHIP Plus level will be responsible for payment of the $1,123 premium difference by the fall semester payment deadline.
What happens if I am paid at least $5,000 in the fall and less than $5,000 in the spring (or vice versa)?
The credit is applied to your student account only for semesters that you are paid at least $5,000 as a teaching fellow or research assistant.
Do I receive any credit for a semester that I am a part-time student?
No.
When will the credit be applied to my student account?
Your student account will be credited by mid-September for the fall semester, and mid-December for the spring semester. The credit will be applied based on the expectation that you will earn at least $5,000 as a Teaching Fellow or Research Assistant per semester. In the event you do not meet the expected earnings threshold, the credit will be removed from your student account and you will be responsible for payment of any resulting balance due.
How does the credit get applied to my student account?
If you are hired into an eligible job on the Charles River Campus with anticipated earnings which will meet or exceed the $5,000 threshold for the semester, the credit will automatically be applied to your student account.
Do I receive any credit for the summer semesters when I earn the eligibility threshold or more?
You may receive an insurance credit of up to half the annual coverage cost for SHIP at the Basic level* for each period (fall, spring, or summer) during which your student earnings exceeded the coverage eligibility threshold (total credit will not exceed the amount you were assessed for SHIP at the Basic level* in the fall or spring semester). The credit earned in the summer will be applied to your student account after the summer payroll period.
* Students who opt to purchase the SHIP at the Plus level will be responsible for payment of the $1,123 premium difference by the fall semester payment deadline.
What happens if I receive the credit and do not earn at least $5,000 as a Teaching Fellow or Research Assistant?
You will no longer be eligible for the credit. Credits already applied to your student account will be reversed and you will be responsible for payment of any resulting balance due.
What do I do if I do not want the Boston University Student Health Insurance Plan coverage?
You must file a Student Health Insurance Waiver for the 2023- 2024 academic year by September 20, 2023. The 2023-24 waiver form will be available in mid-June 2023. By filing the waiver, you certify that you are covered by a comparable health insurance plan. NOTE: All Student Insurance Waiver submissions are subject to Audit review for active compliant coverage by Gallagher Student Health.
Students who have filed claims against the 2023-2024 plan year are not eligible to file the Student Health Insurance Waiver for the 2023-2024 academic year.
Will I still receive the health insurance credit if I file the Student Health Insurance Waiver?
No.
Are there any tax consequences associated with the credit?
The credit for insurance may be taxable as income to you. So if you have alternatives for health coverage, then it may be to your advantage to submit a Student Health Insurance Waiver by September 20, 2023. NOTE: All Student Insurance Waiver submissions are subject to Audit review for active compliant coverage by Gallagher Student Health.
Students who have filed claims against the 2023-2024 plan year are not eligible to file the Student Health Insurance Waiver for the 2023-2024 academic year.
It is your responsibility to report income to the Internal Revenue Service and pay taxes as required.
What happens if I am enrolled in SHIP for the fall semester and not registered for the spring semester (e.g. graduate officially in January, spring leave of absence, etc.)?
Students who won’t be registered for the Spring 2024 semester are eligible to request pro-rated student health insurance coverage for the fall semester only. Students interested in this option must file a Student Health Insurance Premium Adjustment form with Student Accounting Services by December 31, 2023.
If you elect not to file a Student Health Insurance Premium Adjustment form, your SHIP coverage will continue through the end of the coverage year (August 14, 2024). You will not receive any insurance credit during the spring semester.
Who should I contact if I have any further questions?
Please contact the Graduate Financial Assistance coordinator in your school or college if you have questions about your job eligibility or earnings status.
Additional information about SHIP is available on the Student Health Services page.