Student Status

A dependent child who reaches age 19 is only eligible for IU-sponsored dependent benefits if he or she is enrolled as a full-time student, or qualifies as a disabled child. Prior to reaching age 19, the university will request to verify student or disabled status to employees with children enrolled in medical/dental care plans. Based on the response, the university will initiate the following actions:

• If the child is not a student and not disabled, the child’s medical and dental coverage is discontinued; COBRA is offered; and the child is no longer eligible for the Fee Courtesy benefit.
• If the child is a full-time student, the child continues to be eligible until reaching age 24, so long as the child remains a full-time student.
• If the child is fully disabled, the child continues to be eligible so long as the disability continues and the child is a financial dependent of the employee.

Note: The employee is always responsible for notifying the university within 60 days when a child marries, stops being a full-time student, or stops being the employee’s dependent under the IRS support test.

If a child loses student eligibility and subsequently returns to full-time student status, the employee may add medical/dental coverage outside Open Enrollment so long as the child continues to meet all other eligibility requirements.