Being a student usually equates to being poor, and if this is true of you, paying for health insurance can be really difficult.
The plus side, though, is that you're probably young and healthy, which means that you need less coverage and your actual rates will be better.
There are several options that you can look at when it comes to health insurance for students.
First off, check how long you can stay on your parent's insurance plan.
If your mom or dad has insurance through work, you can probably stay on the plan as long as you are a full-time student and until you turn twenty-five or so.
You'll probably be required to prove that you're taking classes full-time, which is usually defined as twelve credit hours, from the time you turn eighteen until you graduate.
This can easily be done with letters and transcripts on the school's letter head, which will be sent to your health insurance provider at the turn of every year or at the beginning of each semester.
If you can't stay on your parent's insurance for some reason or another, you still have a few options available to you.
The cheapest is probably to go through your college.
Most universities and colleges nowadays insist on health insurance for students, so most of them also offer basic plans with group-style coverage.
Chances are likely that these plans won't cover a whole lot, but they'll be affordable.
You may also be able to use your student loans to pay for health insurance through your university or college.
Another option is to shop around for health insurance for students through the traditional providers that are on the market.
You'll probably be amazed at how expensive comprehensive plans are, but you may be able to get by without a plan like these.
If you have no intentions of getting pregnant, rarely have to go to the doctor, and almost never use prescriptions, you can get a catastrophic health plan, which will cover you if you need a major surgery or have an emergency room run.
While these plans won't cover prescriptions and doctor's visits, they will keep you away from financial ruin in the case that you need to pay for huge hospital bills, and they'll also offer more affordable monthly premiums.
If you do go with a catastrophic or major medical plan, be sure that you know how to save money when you do need to go to the doctor.
Most walk-in clinics will charge a flat fee for their services, so if you get an infection or are sick enough to need prescription medication, call around to a couple of these clinics in your area to see who has the best prices.
Also, if you use hormonal contraceptives, you can save money by getting a prescription for a generic pill or by buying your pills through your school's health office or through a family planning clinic in your area.