International Student Insurance Requirements

Administrative Procedure 4.202

The following procedure applies to international students on an F-1 or J-1 visa attending Elgin Community College.

Definitions

For the purposes of this procedure, Elgin Community College will use the following definition of terms:

  • International student: An international student is any student attending Elgin Community College on an F-1 visa who has been issued a Form I-20 endorsed by the institution or on a J-1 visa who has been issued a DS-2019 by the institution. This includes F-1 students enrolled on a full-time, authorized Reduced Course Load, or on Optional Practical Training.

    This does not include F-1 students who are attending another Student Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-approved school and enroll at Elgin Community College during the summer semester or as part of a concurrent enrollment agreement.
  • Dependents: A dependent is defined as the spouse, partner, or child of any international student on an F-2 or J-2 visa.
  • Initial student: An international student attending Elgin Community College on a college-endorsed Form I-20 or DS-2019 who is in ‘Initial,’ ‘Transfer Pending,’ or ‘Reinstatement Requested’ status in Student Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) is an initial student. International students in their first semester/session at the college meet this definition. This includes students with an approved change of status to F-1 who are required to enroll at the next available semester/session.
  • Continuing student: Any international student attending Elgin Community College on a college-endorsed Form I-20 or DS-2019 in ‘Active’ status in SEVIS is a continuing student. International students beyond their first semester/session at the college meet this definition.
  • Reduced Course Load: A temporary, authorized drop below a full course of study for an international student in accordance with Title 8 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 214.2(f)(6)(iii)-(iv).
  • Optional Practical Training (OPT): Temporary employment that is directly related to an F-1 student’s major area of study and authorized by the institution. Eligible students can apply to receive up to 12 months of OPT employment authorization before completing their academic studies (pre-completion) and/or after completing their academic studies (post-completion).

International Student Health Insurance Plan Policy

Elgin Community College requires all international students to enroll in a group health insurance plan provided by an external vendor contracted by the college. A minimum amount of coverage is required and is provided by the policy required of international students. Coverage will meet or exceed current J-1 visa requirements as set by the U.S. Department of State.

International students are required to enroll in the college-sponsored plan. Exceptions to this policy are rare and are only considered if the international student has a plan that meets or exceeds the Elgin Community College international student insurance plan. Exceptions must be approved by the insurance provider.

A waiver must be submitted no later than 14 calendar days prior to the program start date listed on the student's Form I-20 or DS-2019 if an initial student or from the first day of the semester if the student is a continuing student. The decision whether to grant a waiver will be made within seven business days after the request was received. Waiver request decisions are final. Information can be requested by emailing the Center for Global Engagement at international@elgin.edu.  

Insurance premiums will be determined and communicated by May for the following academic year.

The health insurance charge does not qualify for a payment plan.

Students are responsible for payment of the fees by the due date as noted in this document based on the student’s status. Payments should be made at the Student Accounts Office, online through AccessECC or Flywire.

The health insurance charge will be included in the Estimated Cost of Attendance as noted on the student’s Form I-20 or DS-2019.

The health insurance charge is non-refundable after the first day of classes.

Insurance for Initial Students

  • Initial students beginning at the start of a traditional fall or spring semester (August or January) will have the health insurance charge added to their student account no later than 30 calendar days prior to the initial program start date listed on the student’s Form I-20 or DS-2019. In the event of initial students who are admitted to ECC within 30 days of their program start date, the health insurance charge will be added to their student account the day of the issuance of the Form I-20 or DS-2019. Payment is due the day prior to the program start date (orientation) listed on the student's Form I-20 or DS-2019. Registration cannot occur until payment is remitted for insurance. 
  • Students in the Intensive English Program who begin classes at a non-traditional start date (e.g., September, October, February, March, June) will have a pro-rated health insurance premium added to their account no later than 14 calendar days prior to the initial program start date listed on the student’s Form I-20 or DS-2019. In the event of initial students who are admitted to ECC within 14 days of their program start date, the health insurance charge will be added to their student account the day of the issuance of the Form I-20 or DS-2019. Payment is due the day prior to the program start date listed on Form I-20 or DS-2019.
  • Students who do not remit payment for the health insurance premium by the payment due date will be restricted from registering for their classes and a restriction will be placed on their student record and student account.
  • Students who do not report to the institution, have a visa denied, and/or transfer out prior to their program start date will not be responsible for remitting payment for the health insurance premium. Any charges on the student’s account related to the health insurance premium will be reversed.

Insurance for Continuing Students

  • The health insurance charge will be added to continuing students’ accounts prior to the start of each semester.
  • Payment will be due by June 15 for the fall semester, and November 1 for the spring and summer semesters. Students who do not remit payment for the health insurance premium by the payment due date will be dropped from their classes and a restriction placed on their student record and student account.

Insurance for Dependents

Dependents of international students are encouraged to enroll in the college-sponsored plan or show coverage that meets or exceeds the plan. Students should note that payment for dependent coverage is payable directly to the vendor and may be at a higher rate than the group coverage for international students.

Exceptions

Exceptions and questions regarding this policy should be directed to the Center for Global Engagement at international@elgin.edu.