Starting at DU
New Student Health & Wellness Actions
Welcome to DU! As you begin your (new) academic program, we've summarized key action items below regarding health requirements, insurance, and/or HCC care. Please review, click through for additional details, and contact us if you still have questions.
Please note that this page only covers items the Health & Counseling Center (HCC) manages. Please check and follow instructions from other University offices, such as admission, academic programs, advising, orientation, housing, and more.
Submit immunization records (once) or temporary exemption requests (which expire).
- These state of Colorado-required records must be on file before you can register for classes.
- FYI, if you received these immunizations in Colorado, they may load into your campus health record automatically in the next few weeks (via state database).
Register for classes following instructions from your academic program and advisor.
- This will activate your insurance decision options and health fee.
- Note that if you change programs, or increase/decrease credit hours, this may change insurance and health fee requirements.
- Beyond placing/releasing HCC-related holds (for example, regarding immunization records), the HCC is not involved with course registration, advising, etc.
Make your health insurance decision (every year).
- This will be available after you've registered for fall classes. The waiver request process will be active by August 1st. Student will receive updates and reminders via email.
- Students are billed for the DU Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) unless and until approved for a waiver each school year, using online process and providing evidence of adequate alternative coverage. You can pay other DU charges while your waiver is being processed; if approved, the SHIP charge will be credited.
- You should accept SHIP to begin using benefits, or complete the waiver by posted deadlines each school year.
The Student Health Fee (HCF) is automatically billed to all eligible students each enrolled academic term. It cannot be waived.
- As is the SHIP premium, the Health Fee is charged to your central Student Billing account, where you can apply financial aid, explore payment plans, etc.
Incoming first-time and transfer undergraduates likely have online Discoveries orientation modules to complete.
- Once on campus, you'll also need to complete an Intervene (active bystander) workshop, as required by Undergraduate Student Government (USG).
Ongoing
Use HCC services. All students in in-person, degree-seeking programs (undergrad and grad, part- and full-time) are eligible.
- You can begin using our medical and mental health (counseling) clinics once your in-person orientation program begins, usually a few days before your first classes.
- Thrive Health Promotion resources and CAPE support services are also available to all in-person students!
Some of these action items reoccur (for example, annual insurance decision); so don't ignore regular HCC and University communications, and check our Preparing for... pages for health and wellness specific items: Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer.
We also have resource pages on HCC Payments, the myHealth online portal, our Privacy Practices, Leaving DU (graduation or otherwise), and an FAQ for family/parents.
And make sure the University always has your current, correct and direct local contact information. Login to my4DU, searching for "my person profile" if needed, and update your local address (in Denver area if on-campus) and your US / personal phone number (vs home or parents/family).
If you still have questions, feel free to call us at 303.871.2205 during business hours or email hccinfo@du.edu