Information for Families

Health Documentation

Please be aware that per Vermont State law and College policy, your student needs to meet certain health-related requirements before they arrive at Bennington College. In order to occupy campus housing or register for classes, students must provide one of the following: immunization records, other proof of immunity, or a signed medical or religious exemption form. In addition, they must submit a health history, undergo a physical examination, have a tuberculosis screening, and complete a consent for treatment. This information will not be used to exclude students but to plan for their care, and will be kept entirely confidential.

You can find the forms you will need, along with instructions, on our website. Please note that making the appointments and gathering the documents often takes more time than one expects, so you might want to assist your student so that everything is ready for submission.

Staying Healthy

One of the biggest differences between high school and college is that at Bennington, students are expected to take responsibility for their own well-being—which means learning to be their own best advocates and asking for help when they need it. There are many resources available on campus and off, and their advisors will do everything possible to connect them to the help they need—but it’s important that they reach out to ask.

One of the most important resources available to them is the Bennington College Health Center, which has grown into a newly renovated, stand-alone space for the promotion of health and well-being. The Health Center provides students with direct and preventative health care, psychological and psychiatric care, health counseling, and education by a team of physicians, RNs, a women’s health nurse practitioner, psychologists, social workers, psychiatrist, and the Director for Student Health Promotion. You can visit our website to see information on hours, making appointments, range of services, referrals, and payments.

Health Insurance

All full-time Bennington College students must be covered by a health insurance policy and submit Proof of Health Insurance to the College by August 1. As you consider the best option for your student’s health coverage, please keep in mind that the Bennington College Health Center charges usual and customary fees, just like any private doctor’s office. We suggest that you contact potential insurance carriers to understand their In-Network and Out-of-Network coverage. For more information, including some options for finding insurance coverage, visit the Student Health Insurance page on our website.

Please note that international students must purchase the IFS Secure Plus plan by August 1 for coverage starting August 15. If policy info is not provided by August 1, the College will purchase the IFS plan on the student’s behalf and will post the cost to the student bill with a $100 administrative fee. Domestic students who need to change their coverage, have a 30 day window when they move to campus (called a qualifying event) to make policy changes. Window specifics vary depending upon policy.