Tuition fee increases, but insurance fee stays the same

Tuition for Lyndon State College has been raised four percent for the 2011-2012 school year, but the fee for student health insurance stays the same.

"The student health insurance will keep the same coverage and the same fee," said the administrative assistant of health & counseling, Paula Chamberlin. "It's a good health plan for students studying in VSC in terms of the cost and its coverage."

Students in Lyndon State College have different opinions than the officials.

"The insurance cost is too high and covers not enough," said Ryan Bennie Lee, a senior majoring in graphic design. "I had an insurance that was covered by the state before I came here, which was cheaper and better."

"My former insurance covered many things, like dental work, and I don't think the school insurance will cover that," Lee added.

The annual cost for the student health insurance is $1,407.

Some students' parents have already had insurance before they entered LSC, so they don't need to have the insurance on campus, while students who don't have campus insurance need to fill out a claim form if they go to see a doctor in the Brown House.

Many students don't know much about how the student insurance plan works. They just did what they were told.

"I know nothing about it," said Na Zhan, a freshman majoring in general education.

According to the insurance plan brochure, all matriculating full-time undergraduate and graduate students at VSC must complete and sign a student insurance form to indicate whether they wish or wish not to enroll in the VSC Student Health Insurance Plan.

The school student health Insurance covers inpatient hospitalization benefits, surgical benefits, outpatient benefits, mental health, substance abuse benefits, maternity benefits, as well as some additional benefits.

About the inclusions and exclusions of the benefits, students can refer to the insurance plan brochure for more details.