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Health Insurance Deductible Subsidy Program

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Overview

The Graduate Student Association established a health insurance deductible subsidy program in 2021, in collaboration with the Graduate College and Student Life, to assist full-time graduate students enrolled in quarter programs (except those in the Kline School of Law) enrolled in Drexel’s student health insurance plan to reimburse their out-of-pocket deductible payment. Please review this page in full and click the link below to apply.

For information about the health insurance subsidy program specifically for full-time doctoral students in quarter programs with qualifying assistantships/fellowship, visit the Health Insurance Subsidy page.

Background

For graduate students receiving little or no funding to assist with the cost of education and other living expenses, the added cost of health insurance, including the deductible, can cause hardship. The goal of the subsidy program is to provide some relief for eligible graduate students, especially amid additional financial challenges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The GSA brainstormed ways to help graduate students during this challenging time and advocated for the subsidy as a way to give back to the very students who support their activities.

Eligibility

Drexel graduate students enrolled full-time (9 credits) in quarter programs, including master’s and doctoral students, who are currently enrolled in Drexel’s student health insurance plan are eligible to apply for the subsidy.*

*Students enrolled in the Kline School of Law and College of Medicine, including the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies, are not currently eligible as they do not contribute student activity fees toward the GSA.

Eligible students may apply for the subsidy to reimburse the student health insurance deductible for themselves (the enrolled student only), including in-network and out-of-network, for the current fiscal year (July 1 – June 1). The subsidy does not cover dependents. Receipt of subsidy is based on student eligibility, completed application and supplemental materials, availability of funding, approval of the peer review committee, and proper submission for reimbursement.

About the Deductible

The deductible is the amount you pay for covered health care services before your insurance plan starts to cover expenses. The in-network deductible for the Drexel United Healthcare student health insurance plan for fiscal year 2025 (June 2024 - June 2025) is $100.

How to Apply 

Eligible students must submit a completed application with all required and relevant materials listed below via the Drexel Funding Portal (InfoReady).

Submit an Application [Drexel Funding Portal]

Application Materials

  1. Required: Completed application via the Drexel Funding Portal (InfoReady) by the posted deadline.
  2. Required: Medical Info-Redacted Explanation of Benefits (EOB) from United Healthcare [PDF] - Please upload your redacted receipt, also known as your statement or Explanation of Benefits (EOB) from your United Healthcare account as a single PDF with proof of payment toward the deductible and your name. Please black out all other personal and medical information, reason for visit, ID numbers, etc. See example attached to InfoReady application.
  3. If Applicable: Tuition Statement [PDF] - If applicant pays tuition out of pocket, please provide a tuition statement, such as from your DrexelOne student account (student account balance, student activity by term). See example attached to InfoReady application.
  4. If/Once Approved: Completed Check Request Form [PDF] emailed to the Graduate College at gradawards@drexel.edu - Form is also available for download in the InfoReady application.

Review & Approval Process 

Students may apply for the subsidy on a rolling basis from January 1 through June 1 for processing by the end of the fiscal year (June 30) or until funds run out. Only payments made and applied to the deductible for Drexel's United Healthcare student health insurance from September 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024 are eligible for reimbursement.

The review committee, which consists of members of the Graduate Student Association’s Executive Board, faculty advisor, and members of the Graduate College team, will first review each application for completeness and eligibility based on the criteria listed above. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and applicants can expect to hear back from the committee within four weeks of submission.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Graduate College at gradawards@drexel.edu.

Reimbursement Process

Subsidy reimbursements are processed AFTER review and approval of all required documentation, including the Check Request Form [PDF] completed as outlined below:

First, follow the instructions below to complete the Check Request Form [PDF]:

Section 1: Payee Information

  1. Enter the payee name and complete mailing address exactly as it is to appear on the check. For payments to individuals, a permanent home address is required.
  2. Attach the original invoice or other original documentation that substantiates the payment for audit purposes.
  3. Employee and student payees must provide their University ID number (8 digits). Do not use your Social Security Number (SSN).
  4. If the payee is an individual, indicate the citizenship status and whether the payee is an employee of Drexel University. Questions regarding payments to Non-resident Alien individuals should be directed to the Tax Department at taxoffice@drexel.edu or (215) 895-6880.

Section 2: Justification & Delivery

  1. Enter for the reason for expenditure, including that it is a reimbursement for the Drexel student health insurance deductible, the name/office of the provider, location (City/State), and date(s) of treatment.
  2. To facilitate timely payment, checks will be mailed directly to payees. "US Mail" is the default distribution method or direct deposit, if applicable. A Request to Mail with Enclosures must be accompanied by the original documents to be mailed to the payee AND copies of the documents for audit purposes.
  3. Pick-ups are for emergencies by arrangement only.

Section 3 & 4: Funding Source & Approvals

Please leave these sections BLANK. They are for official use only.

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Then, send the following materials in an email to the Graduate College at gradawards@drexel.edu within two weeks of notification of receipt/approval of subsidy:

  1. Completed Check Request Form [PDF] as described above;
  2. Proof of receipt/approval of subsidy (you can forward your email notification);
  3. A copy of the Medical Info-Redacted Explanation of Benefits (EOB) Statement from United Healthcare [PDF] (which you submitted in your original application);
  4. And a copy of your Info-Redacted Bank Statement [PDF] for the specific credit or debit card used to pay the deductible. Please black out all personal information, account numbers, totals and balances, all other line items, balances, etc. except for your full name and the deductible line item with date of processing.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Graduate College at gradawards@drexel.edu.