Student health insurance through NIU will cost about $1,052 per semester during the 2015-16 academic year.

The Board of Trustees approved the plan at its Thursday meeting. Health insurance during the 2014-15 academic year cost $744. Eric Weldy, vice president of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, has said the cost is increasing because of benefits that must be added under the Affordable Care Act.

Benefits added to the health insurance plan, which students may opt out of, include hospitalizations, emergency services and full coverage of prescription drugs, among other things.