Students who are upset about the cost of NIU’s mandatory health insurance might not have read NIU’s policies before attending the university.

“Once a student has decided to enroll at NIU, all the literature we put out notifies the student of our mandatory health insurance program,” said University Legal Counsel George Shur. “The Board of Regents requires it.”

The mandatory health insurance costs $125 per semester for full-time students.

“The current policy is that the $125 fee is automatically assessed to students with 12 or more semester hours and in order to cancel, students must show proof of insurance,” said Gary Gresholdt, assistant vice president for Student Affairs.

Students can cancel their insurance and receive refunds until Sept. 10 from 8:30 a.m. to noon and from 1 p.m. until 4:15 p.m. at Diversions Lounge.

It is necessary to bring evidence of other insurance such as an insurance ID card or a letter from the employer of the company.

Students who are registered for six to 11 on-campus hours also have the option to purchase Student Health Insurance at that time. These students must also bring copies of their class schedules.

“Part-time students have a much higher premium because a few years ago we had people, who were not insured elsewhere or with bad medical risks, signing up for one class in order to take advantage of the health insurance,” Shur said.

“It cost the system a lot of money and pushed the rates up.”

The policy and the methods to go about canceling the insurance were advertised in The Northern Star and elsewhere. It is something the university does not have to do but does at the urging of the Student Association, Shur said.