GradGuard is an optional Tuition Insurance Plan for students, families, and tuition payers. The tuition protection plan reimburses up to 100% of non-refundable education expenses, including tuition, housing, fees, and up to $1,000 for school-related expenses if a student fully withdraws from SDSU due to a covered reason.

• Illness or injury 
• Mental health and psychiatric conditions 
• Loss of employment for a tuition payer 
• Tuition payer’s death

Tuition insurance must be purchased before the first day of classes for the term of coverage. The insurance agreement is between GradGuard and the student or tuition payer.  SDSU is not a party to the agreement. More information is on the GradGuard Tuition Insurance site.

Covered expenses include: 

• Tuition
• Mandatory fees
• On- and off-campus housing 
• Up to $1,000 for books, computers and other school supply expenses 

Tuition insurance must be purchased before the first day of classes for the academic year it is needed to cover. The insurance agreement is between GradGuard and the student or tuition payer. SDSU is not a party to the agreement. More information is available on the GradGuard Tuition Insurance site.

While GranGuard does its best to protect your financial investment, there are some situations they don’t cover—even if they’re sudden or out of your control. 

 Not Covered:  

• Partial withdrawals from SDSU
• Family or friend deaths, except for the loss of a tuition payer
• Voluntary withdrawal from SDSU for a non-covered reason

Students and families can find out more information at https://gradguard.com/tuition or by calling (877) 794-6603. Your purchase of tuition insurance must occur before the first day of classes for the term of coverage.

The Institution Validation Form is included in the Claims Packet provided when initiating a claim. SDSU students are required to send their Institution Validation Forms to the University Bursar’s Office, not to the Dean or Business Office. Forms may be submitted in person at the SDSU Bursar’s Office or through a Zoom appointment with a staff member at SDSU Cal Coast Financial Center. After the form is received, the Bursar’s Office will complete the form and return it to the student directly.

Depending on your tuition reimbursement plan, loss of Employment can be a covered reason for withdrawal if the tuition payer is terminated or laid off from a current, permanent position on or after your policy’s effective date.

A single-term plan provides coverage for the first school term beginning closest to the Covered Term start date you provided. You can file one claim per single-term product, up to the coverage amount. A multi-term plan provides coverage for all school terms within 365 days of the purchase date. The multi-term plan allows you to file multiple claims up to your coverage amount. Be sure to verify you have purchased coverage for the correct term(s).

Yes. You can purchase a plan to cover any non-refundable higher education expenses and related school expenses. The plan must be purchased before the start date of the selected course/program. In instances like this, a Multi-Term plan is recommended, which can provide coverage for a full calendar year, such as from August to August of the following year.

Claims can be processed at any time. To be eligible for coverage, the event/incident must occur within the plan’s coverage period.  To start a GradGuard claim, please call 888-427-5045. For more information and claim support, visit GradGuard Support

GradGuard specifically excludes coverage for losses resulting directly or indirectly from a pre-existing medical condition as defined by your plan.  However, some medical conditions may not be considered pre-existing. Contact GradGuard Support/Pre-Existing Conditions for more information.