Sponsored Students

Students who will be sponsored by non-UTMB agencies must submit a funding letter to the Office of Student Accounts prior to the first day of the term. The information must be submitted by fax to (409) 772-5056 or by email at sfinsvcs@utmb.edu. The sponsor letter should include address, telephone number, email and name of contact for the organization. This information will serve as a legal contract obligation by the agency to pay the student's tuition and fees.

Students who are sponsored by UTMB should contact their school representative to ensure the sponsorship form is submitted to the Office of Student Accounts no later than the first day of the enrollment term.

Exemptions

The State of Texas does offer tuition exemptions to qualifying students. For a list of exemptions and the requirements, please visit College for All Texans. If you feel you qualify for an exemption, please send all required documentation to the Office of Student Accounts at sfinsvcs@utmb.edu.

Waiver Policy

Student Health Insurance

The State of Texas and the UT System Board of Regents require all students to maintain a valid health insurance policy while registered as a student at The University of Texas Medical Branch. If you do not have your own health insurance policy, you may enroll in the student health insurance plan selected by the UT System. The premiums vary.

Rates per semester will vary depending on your academic calendar. Please consult AcademicBlue for amounts.

Enrollment

Student Health Insurance

As a student at a medical health institution, you are required to maintain health insurance. Students must complete the Health Insurance Activity guide each semester to opt into the UT Student Health Insurance Plan and the cost will be included in your tuition and fee bill. UTMB students holding comparable coverage may be eligible to waive enrollment in the UT Student Health Insurance Plan by completing the Health Insurance Activity Guide and selecting waiver and submitting insurance information to AcademicBlue. Through this process, you will provide information about your coverage. Graduate School students must contact sfinscvs@utmb.edu if they wish to be enrolled in the Student coverage.

Dental Insurance

Dental coverage is available to students and dependents and can be purchased simultaneously. If the student chooses to purchase dental coverage for the dependent, it must be purchased at the same time as the student coverage. The dependent must have the same coverage as the student. To enroll, complete the Dental Enrollment Form found under "Enrollment" at the AcademicBlue website. Send the form to AcademicBlue along with the payment.

How Do I Add Dependents?

You can enroll your family using the appropriate enrollment form found at the AcademicBlue website. You will see the links to various forms under Enrollment.

What Does Insurance Cover?

The University of Texas System Student Health Insurance Plan covers injury and sickness. Some of the benefits include, but are not limited to inpatient hospitalization, outpatient doctor's visits, x-rays, laboratory charges, surgery and emergency care. There are limitations and maximums that may apply. Please refer to the AcademicBlue website for additional coverage details.

Insurance Requirements for the Academic Year!

Students completing coursework at UTMB Galveston are required by the UT System Board of Regents to have continuous medical insurance policy compliant with the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA).

Please note that you must complete an activity guide each semester, regardless of showing proof of coverage for the full academic year or prior semester.

The UT Student Health Insurance Plan (UT SHIP) meets the new requirements. Enrollment in UT SHIP is automatic each semester and the insurance premium is automatically charged to your tuition and fee account when you register for classes. No action is required to be enrolled in UT SHIP except to ensure that your contact email and mailing address are always current in MySTAR.

The UT System has established new criteria by which students can request a waiver to the student health insurance plan by providing alternate health insurance coverage. In order to be approved for a waiver, your alternate health coverage must meet or exceed the requirements as set in the System regulation and be PPACA compliant.

You will receive an email notification when the health insurance activity guide is available. The deadline for completion is January 10, 2025.

Click here for activity guide instructions

If you have further questions or concerns, please email Student Accounts.

Beginning March 2, 2022, UTMB will be transitioning to TouchNet for our student payments, installment plans, tuition statements, 1098T’s and student refunds. This new system will bring a much more modern and user friendly experience to all students.

Below are some of the new and improved features you will notice and important instructions on how to use these key functions within TouchNet.

Student Refunds

Beginning March 29, 2022, UTMB’s student financial aid refunds will be processed through TouchNet. This means that all students (including returning students, new students, and transfer students) will need to set up a new eRefund account through TouchNet (which can be accessed through MySTAR) in order to receive their refunds in a timely manner.

1. Login to mySTAR.
2. Click on Student Account Tile.
3. Log in using the UTMB credentials.
4. Click Refunds Tab
5. Click “Enroll in Two-Step Verification.  You will choose to complete by Text, Email or Google Authenticator. Complete Two-Step Verification and return to Refunds tab.
6. Under Current Refund Method, select Set up Account
7. Type in your bank Routing and Account Number Information. Note: your bank account number is not the same as your debit card number.
8. Click “I Agree,” then “Continue.” This is the last step.
9. The student will receive a confirmation email from Student Accounting.

IMPORTANT: Refunds will only be processes as direct deposits or mailed paper checks. You will no longer be able to pick up a paper check.

**ALL STUDENTS MUST SET UP THEIR DIRECT DEPOSIT INFORMATION IN TOUCHNET IN ORDER TO RECEIVE STUDENT REFUNDS BY DIRECT DEPOSIT. EVEN IF YOU HAVE DIRECT DEPOSIT IN MYSTAR IT MUST BE SETUP AGAIN IN TOUCHNET**

**If you do not enter an ACH account in TouchNet, your refunds will be sent by paper check to the last updated address in myStar and will be delayed. **

Payment Plans

1. Login to mySTAR.
2. Click on Student Account Tile.
3. Log in using the UTMB credentials.
4. Select “Enroll in Payment Plan” and follow the on-screen instructions.

New function: Students can now set up automated payments for their installments.

Student Payments

1. Login to mySTAR
2. Click on Student Account Tile.
3. Log in using the UTMB credentials.
4. Select “Make a Payment” or if on an Installment Plan select “Pay Next Installment”.

The cashier’s office will still accept cash payments but will no longer accept credit card payments. All credit card payments must be made online.

In person check payments will now be dropped off with Enrollment Services in Old Red, Room 2.208. The cashier’s office will no longer process in person check payments.

Authorized Users (New Function)

1. Login to mySTAR
2. Click on Student Account Tile.
3. Log in using the UTMB credentials.
4. Select “Authorized Users”<
5. Next select “Add Authorized User”
6. Enter the email address of who you are granting access and the areas of access being granted.
7. The authorized user will receive an email notifying them they have been given access.  

1098T- Available for 2021 statements

1. Login to mySTAR
2. Click on Student Account Tile.
3. Log in using the UTMB credentials.
4. When logging in for the first time you will be prompted to grant electronic permission.
5. Select “My Account” then “Statements”

Find additional frequently asked questions here - TouchNet FAQs