Graduate Student FAQ
Which students are "grandfathered" under the old health insurance policy?
Any student who was enrolled in a resident instruction graduate program at CSU prior to Fall 2008 will be considered "grandfathered" and not subject to the health insurance requirement until the Fall 2011 semester. Any returning student who is starting a NEW graduate degree program at CSU beginning Fall 2008, or after, is not "Grandfathered" under the old policy. International graduate students are still subject to the health insurance requirement regardless of new or returning status.
How will CSU identify me as "grandfathered"?
Based on the Spring 2008 census of February 6, a list of students is being generated and will be tracked against your Fall 2008 registration. You will receive a notice during the online registration process that will identify you. If you have been incorrectly classified, you should notify the Graduate School at 970-491-6817 or gschool@grad.colostate.edu.
How does this new policy affect International graduate students?
It does not. The Board of Governors for CSU has required for several years that all international students, regardless of status, demonstrate appropriate levels of health insurance coverage. International students will be considered as they were prior to this policy. See details at International Student FAQ
What is a “resident instruction” graduate program?
Most graduate degree programs at CSU are “resident instruction” programs. Distance degree programs and Continuing Education are not “resident instruction” programs.
What does “full-fee paying” mean?
Students who register for 6 or more credit hours of instruction are assessed full fees by the University.
I have been participating in the student health insurance plan already – how will I be affected by this change?
You will not be affected by this policy except from possible health insurance cost adjustments. During the online registration process, you will be asked if you would like to purchase the insurance just as you have been in the past.
How is this new insurance implementation going to affect the current $200 stipend given to all graduate assistants?
"Grandfathered" students will have an option to participate in the CSU student insurance plan or decline enrollment. If the student chooses to participate in the CSU student insurance plan and the student has an assistantship of 10 hours (1/4-time) or more, the student will be given an insurance contribution of $500 towards the cost of the CSU insurance. If that student declines to participate in the CSU student insurance plan, they will receive the $200 stipend.
New graduate students with an assistantship (GRA,GSA,GTA,GVR) of 10 hours (1/4-time) or more will be given a contribution of $500 towards the cost of the CSU insurance. This contribution is only applied when the CSU Student Insurance plan is elected. If a student does not elect the CSU plan and provides proof of comparable insurance, the student will not receive any contribution.
By the fall 2011, the $200 stipend will be phased out, and all students regardless of new or "grandfathered" status will be required to adhere to the insurance implementation.
The $500 contribution will be given both for the fall and spring semesters and the contribution is expected to increase over the next two years.
I heard that grandfathered graduate assistants have a choice of health stipend. What does the “required enrollment” choice mean?
Grandfathered graduate assistants (GTAs, GRAs, GSAs) will be given a choice of health insurance “benefit” until 2011. You may elect to enroll in the student health insurance program through CSU and receive $500/semester to help offset costs OR you may elect to not enroll in the CSU student health insurance plan and continue to receive $200/semester while you are a graduate assistant. After 2011, only graduate assistants enrolled in the CSU student health plan will receive the “benefit” and the $200/semester option will end.
I remember the plan from 2 years ago and it wasn’t very comprehensive – why are you requiring students to purchase it?
Together with the Graduate Student Council, CSU Health Network has worked with the insurance provider to provide a product that is comprehensive and inexpensive relative to many other insurance programs. You should review the current health plan and reassess it against your needs. See details at Health.ColoState.edu/Insurance
Why is CSU requiring health insurance coverage for graduate students?
A significant number of graduate students do not carry comprehensive health insurance. One or two accidents or health problems might devastate a student financially and prevent him/her from finishing a graduate degree.
Which other universities require health insurance coverage for graduate students?
Every other public institution in Colorado with an established graduate program requires that all graduate students demonstrate health insurance coverage. Eleven out of twelve Department of Higher Education peer universities require that all graduate students demonstrate health insurance coverage.
Which students are not “grandfathered” under the old health insurance policy?
Any new graduate student who is starting a graduate degree program at CSU during the Fall 2008 semester is not “grandfathered” under the old policy. This includes CSU undergraduates who are matriculating a graduate degree program.
What is a “resident instruction” graduate program?
Most graduate degree programs at CSU are “resident instruction” programs. Distance degree programs and Continuing Education are not “resident instruction” programs.
What does “full-fee paying” mean?
Students who register for 6 or more credit hours of instruction are assessed full fees by the University.
How will CSU identify me as a NEW student?
Based on the Spring 2008 census of February 6, a list of students is being generated and will be tracked against your Fall 2008 registration. You will receive a notice during the online registration process that will identify you as being new and subject to the new health insurance policy. If you have been incorrectly classified, you should notify the Graduate School at 970-491-6817 or gschool@grad.colostate.edu.
How do I “opt out” of the CSU health plan if I can demonstrate comparable external health insurance coverage?
You should review the student health plan and be prepared to provide documentation of your plan to the Student Insurance Review Committee per published protocol on the “Request for Waiver” form on the website.
I heard that grandfathered graduate assistants have a choice of health stipend but not NEW graduate students. What does the “required enrollment” choice mean?
Grandfathered graduate assistants will only receive the health insurance “benefit” if they enroll in the student health insurance program through CSU. New graduate assistants will receive $500/semester to help offset costs. If you successfully petition the Student Insurance Review Committee demonstrating that you have comparable external health insurance coverage, you will not receive the graduate assistant “benefit”.
Why is CSU requiring health insurance coverage for graduate students?
A significant number of graduate students do not carry comprehensive health insurance. One or two accidents or health problems might devastate a student financially and prevent him/her from finishing a graduate degree.
Which other universities require health insurance coverage for graduate students?
Every other public institution in Colorado with an established graduate program requires that all graduate students demonstrate health insurance coverage. Eleven out of twelve Department of Higher Education peer universities require that all graduate students demonstrate health insurance coverage.
