G&EE Pre-Arrival Newsletter Three:

Hello! This newsletter covers topics related to healthcare, health insurance, and immunizations.

As always, if you have any questions, please email us at sbglobal@gwu.edu.  

Best,

Elisa Boyea
Program Manager
International Student Services

Note that all the information in this newsletter can be accessed online on the GW Student Health Center (SHC) website. 

If you have any questions regarding GW Health Services, please contact the GW Student Health Center directly at shcadmin@gwu.edu or call 202-994-5300.

District of Columbia Immunization Law requires students under the age of 26 to submit proof of certain immunizations to the Student Health Center. The list of required immunizations (and instructions on how to submit your immunization record) can be found on the SHC Immunization webpage.

If you need to request an exemption, visit the SHC Immunization webpage and view the "Medical or Religious Exemptions" dropdown at the bottom of the page for additional information. 

Please Note: New students under the age of 26 will be able to register for their first semester without a health form on file. However, failure to submit the required immunization records will result in a hold on your Student Account that prevents you from registering for classes in subsequent semesters.

Please retain a copy of your immunizations for your records. It is each student’s responsibility to ensure that they obtain their immunization records and that they are submitted to GW Student Health by the deadline. If you have any questions regarding immunizations, email immunreq@gwu.edu.

The U.S. healthcare system probably looks a lot different than what you're used to! Get an overview of how the U.S. healthcare system works by watching this short, six-minute video: 

Overview of the U.S. Healthcare System for International Students
(Video Credit: International Student Insurance)

All international students in F-1 or J-1 immigration status are required to maintain health insurance coverage for the duration of their GW studies.

As an F-1 or J-1 student, GW will automatically enroll you in the GW Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) through Aetna Student Health, which means you do not need to take any action to enroll in GW SHIP. The cost of insurance coverage will automatically be added onto your bill for tuition, fees, and other university expenses. 

Visit the following pages for information about GW SHIP:

For questions about the GW Student Health Insurance Plan, please email ship@gwu.edu or call University Health Plans at 1-833-251-1721.

You have the right to request that 1) you not be covered by GW SHIP, and 2) the charge for GW SHIP on your bill be removed. You may request this by:

Additional information about waiving SHIP and the waiver process can be found on the University Health Plans website under the "Waiver Process" header.

The Spring 2026 waiver form is currently available on the University Health Plans website and is due on February 1, 2026. There is no appeal to waive coverage after the waiver deadline.

Unless you waive GW’s Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP), you will automatically be enrolled in SHIP. So, how do you use SHIP?

When does my GW SHIP coverage begin?

Your GW SHIP coverage for the Spring 2026 semester will begin on January 1, 2026 and end on August 11, 2026.

What do I do if I'm feeling sick?

If you need to see a doctor, you should first seek treatment at the GW Student Health Center, which is located on-campus and is open Monday to Thursday from 8:30am - 6:00pm and Friday from 8:30am - 5:00pm. 

I need medical assistance outside of those hours. What do I do?

The Medical Assistance Line, (202) 994-5300, is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call to speak with a clinician and be evaluated for next steps, which can include a telemedicine appointment, an in-person office visit, or a referral to an off-site medical provider. 

But what if I need to see a doctor or a specialist that isn't associated with the GW Student Health Center?

To find providers outside of GW Student Health Services that accept SHIP, please visit Aetna Student Health DocFind.

Insurance cards are not mailed to students. Once your GW SHIP coverage begins on January 1, 2026, you'll be able to print your insurance card and/or access your digital ID card by visiting Aetna Student Health. 

The below-listed mandatory orientations in January will provide pertinent information for international students relating to immigration and the academic culture at GWSB. These sessions are required of ALL GWSB international graduate students studying on an F-1 or J-1 visa.

Tuesday, January 6, 2025, 10:00-11:30am EST

ISO F-1 International Student Orientation
Hosted by the International Services Office (ISO)
Location: Zoom - Link will be sent in the registration confirmation email
Register Here!

Tuesday, January 6, 2025, 1:30-4:00pm EST

Spring 2026 GWSB International Student Orientation
Hosted by GWSB Global & Experiential Education (G&EE)
Location: Zoom - Link will be sent in the registration confirmation email

Register Here!

For questions, please email G&EE at sbglobal@gwu.edu.
See You There!

PROGRAM-SPECIFIC ORIENTATIONS

Please contact your academic department for dates and times of program-specific orientation sessions

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