Dear New Trojan and Family Member(s):
uscsthealth.info/new-students
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Welcome to USC! We look forward to supporting your health and well-being over the next few years as your “home” for primary care, mental health support, healthy relationships guidance, sexual health, preventive care, and specialty referral coordination needs
All of these services are offered through the USC Student Health Student Health Fee* , and do not require co-pays, regardless of your insurance USC Student Health services may be accessed through the MySHR portal (usc edu/myshr) or by calling the 24/7 phone number, 213-740-9355 (WELL)
As you get ready for the academic year, we would like to share with you some materials that will help you adjust to campus life and meet some health and safety requirements
* The Student Health Fee (SHF) is a required program fee and is applied to accounts for all students taking 6 credits or more in campus-based degree programs; it is not applied for online degree program students, who may opt in if they reside in California. Online degree program students who do not take classes that meet in person are not required to meet immunization requirements
This letter and the New Student Health Requirements website provides comprehensive information about health requirements for all new students Review these items before your first semester begins
Upload immunization records, and complete the online PEMS before the first day of
IMMUNIZATIONS
uscsthealth.info/new-students
Looking for a digital copy of this information? Visit the site for links, videos, and FAQ.
It is strongly recommended that you complete as much of your immunizations, documentation uploads (or lab tests) as soon as possible this summer before arriving for your first semester
For international students who are unable to complete vaccination in their current locations, the USC Student Health immunizations office will complete any outstanding in-person requirements when you arrive to campus Look for emails about “ImmuFest” at the beginning of the semester
Which Vaccines are Required?
Measles • Mumps • (Rubella is included in the MMR vaccine) • Varicella (“Chicken Pox”) • Meningococcal Disease (under age 21) Updated COVID-19 vaccination is strongly recommended
If you are arriving to campus from outside of the U S , you may be required to have a tuberculosis test; only blood draw tests are accepted
INSURANCE REQUIREMENT
All USC students are required to have health insurance The USC Student Health Insurance Plan, provided through Aetna, (SHIP/Aetna) is added to your tuition bill by default and you are automatically enrolled. If you have an insurance plan that meets university requirements, you may submit documentation to request a waiver out of this plan This waiver must be submitted annually We encourage all students and their families to compare health plans and choose one that has 1) strong coverage in Southern California and 2) f d d l h l h i
The USC SHIP/Aetna plan is reviewed annual and that exceptional value is delivered to pa
Waiver Process: If you decide to waive SHIP, you must submit a waiver by the third week of classes in order to have SHIP reversed on your student financial account (your semesterly student bill).
Waivers must be submitted through MySHR every year, in the fall semester, by the third Friday deadline (usc.edu/myshr).
The DEADLINE for your insurance decision is the third Friday of your first semester—
Sept. 12, 2025 (Fall new students) Jan. 30, 2026 (Spring new students)
uscsthealth.info/new-students
Looking for a digital copy of this information? Visit the site for links, videos, and FAQ.
Required Prevention Education Modules (PEMS)
New students must complete learning modules related to important topics, including consent and sexual assault prevention, and safety and our community New undergraduates are required to take an online learning module on alcohol and other drugs, as well as live session discussions (via Zoom) on consent and healthy relationships.
The deadline for completing the online PEMS is the first day of classes of your first semester.
Fall new students deadline for online PEMS: August 25, 2025. Spring new students deadline for online PEMS: January 12, 2026.
Learn more about PEMS (prevention education modules) at sites.usc.edu/pems.
Undergraduates are required to take live sessions on Zoom Trojans Respect Consent (year 1); Healthy Relationships (year 2); and Trojans Act Now (year 3)
Health Conditions or Medication Management
TROJANS TROJANS RESPECT CRESPECT CONSENT ONSENT
If you need to arrange continuity of care for a current medical issue, please contact USC Student Health to let us know If you are on long-term psychiatric medications, including stimulant medication for ADHD, please plan with your current provider to have a sufficient supply of medication(s) until you can arrange to continue care with us. It may take 2-4 weeks to secure an appointment, so it is important to come with access to at least one month’s supply of medication
KEEPHANDY
24-hour campus help lines for students
USC Student Health 213-740-9355 (WELL)
Dept. of Public Safety 213-740-4321 (UPC) 323-442-1000 (HSC)
Advice Nurse Counseling Confidential Advocates
Safety & Campus Emergencies
Urgent Health Matters
Know what to do when you need help for a time-sensitive health matter.
https://uscsthealth.info/urgentmatters
All students attending in-person programs participate in the Student Health Fee (SHF), which provides eligibility for patient care services, prevention education and public health programs. Fee participation is mandatory for students attending in-person with 6 credits or more, international students, and health science program students.
No copays are involved in USC Student Health medical or mental health care provider visits
uscsthealth.info/new-students
Looking for a digital copy of this information? Visit the site for links, videos, and FAQ.
SHIP/Aetna keeps you covered for prescriptions, specialist care, and higher levels of care beyond the integrated care (medical and mental health) provided by USC Student Health.
Together, SHF and SHIP provide access to care on campus, as well as coverage beyond the primary medical care and short-term mental health services available in USC Student Health.
See the current fees for both SHF and SHIP online at https://bit.ly/USCHealthFees.
If you have questions about these requirements or health services, you may email us at studenthealth@usc.edu (please include your USC ID #, name, and date of birth in the email) or use the live chat hours Phone availability 24/7 by calling: 213-740-9355
Our contact center team is available for questions about accessing health care services, insurance, or establishing care with our provider team
When you see this icon in the lower corner of the main website studenthealth.usc.edu a representative is available for a live chat to answer your questions
