Graduate Assistant (GA) Health

Michigan State University (MSU) provides health coverage for Graduate Assistants and their eligible dependents through Aetna. As a graduate assistant (GA), you are automatically enrolled in the health plan at no cost to you. MSU pays the premium for your health coverage. Through the health plan, you have access to quality health care through hospitals, physicians, and affiliated health care professionals in the Aetna provider network. Locate a provider through the Aetna website.

Eligibility and Enrollment Information

Graduate Assistants automatically enrolled in the MSU GA Health Insurance Plan will receive information via email to access the enrollment and waiver portal through Academic HealthPlans (AHP).

Graduate Assistants Eligibility

Graduate Assistants are eligible for and automatically enrolled in the Graduate Assistant health plan if the following criteria are met:

  • 1/4, 1/2, or 3/4 appointments (eligible for tuition waiver); AND
  • Who have worked at least 53 calendar days during their Fall or Spring appointment, or 46 calendar days during their Summer appointment
  • Appropriate number of enrolled credits per semester as noted in the FAQ sheet below

For further details regarding GA appointments, review Assistantships FAQs.

Dependent Eligibility & Enrollment Periods

Graduate Assistants may cover the following eligible dependents on their health insurance plan.

  • Spouse/Other Eligible Individual (OEI)
  • Children (must be under the age of 26)
  • Stepchildren (must be under the age of 26)

Access the enrollment system on the AHP website.

Eligible Dependents must be enrolled in the same period as the primary policy holder (Graduate Assistant). 

Graduate Assistant Health Plan Details

Please review plan design details for the Aetna GA Health plan and the Academic HealthPlans (AHP) administration details on the Health Plan Design and Administration page. 

Graduate Assistant 2025–2026 Enrollment/Waiver Periods

Enrollment Period

Effective Date Termination Date Open Enrollment and Waiver Dates
Fall 2025/2026 August 16, 2025 February 15, 2026 July 14, 2025 - September 30, 2025
Spring I 2025/2026 January 1, 2026 August 15, 2026 December 1, 2025 - March 15, 2026
Spring II 2025/2026 February 16, 2026 August 15, 2026 December 1, 2025 - March 15, 2026
Spring III 2025/2026 May 11, 2026 August 15, 2026 April 13, 2026 - July 10, 2026


Note: Spring III waiver and enrollment is only available if there is not a preceding Spring I/Spring II enrollment.