Dear USC Student,
Welcome to USC! We look forward to supporting your health and well-being over the next few years as the “home” for all your primary care, mental health support, healthy relationships guidance, sexual health, preventive care, and specialty referral coordination needs.
All these services are through USC Student Health, are provided for through the Student Health Fee*, and do not require co-pays at visits regardless of your insurance. USC Student Health services may be accessed through the MySHR patient portal or by calling the 24/7 phone number, 213-740-9355 (WELL).
* 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.
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.
This site that you are visiting provides comprehensive information about health requirements (see buttons) 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 classes. Make a decision about health insurance coverage no later than the 3rd week of classes.
Top Tips: The quick guide to things you should know before coming to USC.
Immunizations
It is strongly recommended that you complete as much of your immunizations, documentation uploads (or lab tests) as possible this summer before arrival for your first semester. For international students unable to complete vaccination in their current locations, USC Student Health immunizations office will complete any in-person requirements that are outstanding when you arrive to campus. Look for email reminders for the “ImmuFest” immunizations fair at the beginning of the semester.
Which Vaccines are Required?
Measles • Mumps • (Rubella is included in the MMR vaccine) • Varicella (“Chicken Pox”) • Meningococcal Disease (for students 21 and under)
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 insurance. The USC Student Health Insurance Plan, provided through Aetna, (SHIP/Aetna) is by default added to your tuition bill 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 plans and choose one that has 1) strong coverage in Southern California and 2) strong coverage for extended mental health services.
The USC SHIP/Aetna plan is reviewed annually by Student Health to ensure these criteria are met, and that exceptional value is delivered to participants in the plan.
The DEADLINE for insurance decisions is the third Friday of the semester—
Jan. 31, 2025 (Spring’25 new student arrivals)
Students should decide to waive or keep SHIP/Aetna by this date. If you decide to waive, 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 every year in the fall semester by the third Friday deadline.
Required Prevention Education Modules (PEMS)
New students must complete learning modules related to important topics including sexual assault prevention; diversity, equity and inclusion; and campus safety. New undergraduates are required to take an online learning module on alcohol and other drugs, and 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.
Spring new students deadline for online PEMS: January 13, 2025.
Health Conditions or Medication Management
If you need to arrange continuity of care for a current medical issue, please contact us 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 your care with USC Student Health. 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.
Check it out: The Quick Guide to Urgent Health Matters
Know what to do when you need help for a time-sensitive health matter.
Contact Us: Email and Live Chat
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 listed below.
Our contact center team is available for “live chat” during normal buisness hours
To use the live chat, click the red button on the lower right hand corner of our main web site, studenthealth.usc.edu.
We look forward to your presence on campus as part of The Trojan Family!
Your health care team in
USC Student Health | Keck Medicine of USC