The Office of Graduate Studies covers the cost of the Drexel Student Health Insurance Plan (offered through UnitedHealthcare) through a subsidy program for full-time doctoral students with qualifying assistantships/fellowships. This subsidy program does not include students in the College of Medicine or Kline School of Law.

Qualifying Assistantships/Fellowships

Teaching Fellow (TF)
A teaching fellow is a full-time graduate student appointed (20 hours per week) to provide teaching or guidance of students directly related to the area in which his or her degree is to be conferred, and in which equivalent teaching is required of all candidates as a condition for receiving such a degree.

Research Fellow (RF)
A Research Fellow is a full-time academic appointment (20 hours per week) focused on thesis or other degree-related research of a type that is required from all candidates for the degree. The research project for an RF directly supports the student’s thesis or dissertation.

Graduate Assistant (GA)
A Graduate Assistant is a full-time graduate student appointed (20 hours per week) to assist faculty in the areas of administration, teaching, and/or research for the primary benefit of the University.

National Research Service Award (N.R.S.A) Pre-Doctoral Fellow
National Research Service Award (N.R.S.A.) Pre-Doctoral Fellow is an individual with a baccalaureate degree and is enrolled in and training at the post-baccalaureate level in a program leading to a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or Doctor of Science (ScD) degree or a combined clinical degree and PhD such as MD/PhD.

Requirements

Students must meet the following criteria in order to qualify for the Office of Graduate Studies health insurance subsidy:

1. Full-time academic enrollment in a doctoral program;
2. And, a qualified assistantship/fellowship appointment (see definitions above).

Students are not eligible for this health insurance subsidy if:

1. Their appointment already provides health insurance coverage as part of their compensation package;
2. And/or, they choose to utilize any plan other than the Drexel Student Health Insurance Plan (offered through UnitedHealthcare).

Full-time assistantship/fellowship appointment terms (i.e. 20 hours per week for at least three quarters of the current academic year) will qualify for a full subsidy of the Drexel Student Health Insurance Plan.

Any full-time doctoral student who works fewer than three quarters during the academic year or has reduced workload hours will receive a prorated subsidy based on the percentage of workload and/or appointment duration. Example: A 12-month appointment, with 10 hours per week workload is equal to 50% subsidy.

Assistantship/fellowship responsibilities that span classifications (as defined above) should be assigned at minimum 50% of the workload in each classification. Exceptions to this formula may be granted on a case-by-case basis.

Process & Deadlines

To secure a health insurance subsidy for Academic Year 2025-2026, students must complete the following steps:

1. Enroll in the Drexel Student Health Insurance Plan online via the UnitedHealthcare website by the deadlines posted on the Office of Health Insurance and Immunizations website. Enrollment opens July 15, 2025. (Fall Quarter Deadline: September 30, 2025)
   
   
2. Provide a copy of your enrollment confirmation from UnitedHealthcare.
   
   
3. Request that your department program manager or graduate advisor send an electronic copy your appointment/renewal letter for Academic Year 2025-2026 to the Office of Graduate Studies at graduatecollege@drexel.edu before the enrollment deadline.
   
   
   • Please note that the Office of Graduate Studies will not accept appointment letters directly from graduate students.
     
     
   • Department program managers and graduate advisors can request a template from the Office of Graduate Studies at graduatecollege@drexel.edu.

Important: If you are leaving the University and wish to end your Drexel Student Health Insurance Plan coverage early, please contact the Office of Health Insurance and Immunizations at healthimmu@drexel.edu. Without an assistantship, you will be responsible for the remainder of the insurance premium.

Note: As of Academic Year 2025-2026, the Drexel Student Health Insurance Plan through UnitedHealthcare does not offer coverage for dependents. If you need guidance on options for dependent coverage, please contact the Office of Health Insurance and Immunizations at healthimmu@drexel.edu.

Contact 

If you have questions about the subsidy program, please contact the Office of Graduate Studies at graduatecollege@drexel.edu.

If you have any questions about health insurance or immunizations that are not related to this subsidy, please visit the Office of Health Insurance and Immunizations website or contact healthimmu@drexel.edu.