The Fordham University Health Center (UHS) provides a variety of on-campus medical resources, including flu shots and a new walking initiative, to help students during what has become an increasingly lengthy cold and flu season. 

Students may receive a flu shot for $30, whether or not they are covered by Fordham’s Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP). Adult immunizations are covered in full under Fordham’s insurance, so students are encouraged to submit a receipt to SHIP or their private coverage for reimbursement. 

Kari McGowan, a registered nurse and the Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) nurse director, outlined how UHS treats symptomatic students.

Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), students are required to have and maintain health insurance coverage. Therefore, Fordham automatically enrolls full-time students in SHIP unless they submit a waiver to Aetna providing proof of coverage in compliance with ACA guidelines.

“Cold and flu season doesn’t really have a season anymore. We’re noticing it’s coming a lot earlier in the year. Typically, we’ll do a primary care visit if a student comes in and they’re not feeling well. They’ll see either a nurse practitioner or a doctor,” McGowan said. 

McGowan also shared the various tests and treatment options available on campus. 

“We have in-house testing; we can test for COVID and flu. We can also test for strep and for mono, and depending on the results, we’ll determine how the patient gets treated,” McGowan said. “We also have over-the-counter cold and flu medications here, and then we also have antibiotics here in the office or we can send it to the pharmacy of choice for the student.” 

Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), students are required to have and maintain health insurance coverage. Therefore, Fordham automatically enrolls full-time students in SHIP unless they submit a waiver to Aetna providing proof of coverage in compliance with ACA guidelines. This year’s deadline to waive fall and annual coverage just passed on Sept. 10. The deadline to waive spring coverage is Feb. 20, 2026.  

This year, 26% of the total student body is enrolled in SHIP, according to UHS Director Maureen Keown. 

SHIP operates through Aetna Life Insurance, which also partners with other private New York City universities, including Columbia University, New York Institute of Technology, Juilliard and The New School. 

SHIP’s annual rate rose from $4,605 to $4,994 for the 2025-26 academic year, an 8.4% increase from the year prior. Individual fall and spring coverage options are also available for rates of $1,805 and $3,189, respectively. Keown explained the cost variance between semesters. 

“This higher cost for the spring semester reflects the extended coverage period, which includes the summer months when students are not on campus. Even though students may not be physically in school during the summer, they can still use their insurance back home, which adds value to the extended coverage,” Keown said.

James Cirillo, campus director of student financial services, wrote in an email that Fordham does not offer specific aid for healthcare as aid “typically is only applied toward tuition costs.” 

“Any payments made to Fordham to cover health care costs are sent directly to our partner, Aetna; we simply act as an intermediary to help make the process more seamless,” Cirillo said. 

In comparison to SHIP, the national average cost of health insurance for a 21-year-old individual ranges from $4,992 to $6,144 annually. 

Under Fordham’s SHIP, students receive the highest coverage benefits through Aetna’s in-network, participating providers. To receive care from a provider outside of the network, students must contact Aetna and request pre-approval. 

For any medical treatment, students must contribute towards their deductible and pay a percentage of the allowed cost as coinsurance. The SHIP deductible is $400 per policy, with $100 designated towards prescription drugs. After the deductible is met, certain services may also require a copay. 

“We’re not just going to turn them away or anything. We will give them the proper resources needed to get that information, to get that medical attention.” Kari McGowan, Registered Nurse at FCLC

For instance, primary care and specialist visits to participating providers, as well as urgent care visits, require a $20 copay plus a 20% coinsurance payment after the deductible is met. Prescription drugs have a copay ranging from $15 to $60. 

Abortions are fully covered by SHIP. However, as Fordham is a Jesuit University, abortion services and contraceptives are not provided on campus or through Health Services. McGowan outlined the typical course of action for students in this eventuality. 

“We’re not just going to turn them away or anything. We will give them the proper resources needed to get that information, to get that medical attention,” McGowan said. “We have a referral sheet, so we can give them … resources to go to where students have used in the past.” 

McGowan added that UHS can also connect students with access to resources such as gynecologists, contraception, birth control or pregnancy care, depending on individual needs. 

In addition to promoting the on-campus flu shots, UHS is initiating the new Fordham Walking Project. 

“The goal is to meet once a week and go for a walk together at the Botanical Gardens or Central Park. Students and staff can connect with people across the campus, meet new friends, enjoy time outside and build on our health and wellness,” Keown said.  

The Lincoln Center chapter of the Fordham Walking Project will meet at the Lowenstein Center’s lobby entrance every Wednesday at 11 a.m.