Should Community Colleges Offer Health Benefits to International Students?
As more international students than ever attend US institutions of higher learning, enrollment has increased at virtually every school in the country. International students are now selecting schools that were not considered destinations for them previously, while simultaneously more and more American citizens are taking advantage of opportunities to further their education.
Increasing enrollment has also meant there is increased competition for attracting students. When students have so many options, schools—including community colleges—need to stand out. One way to do that is to offer a customized health insurance plan for international students. Yet, opinion is divided on whether insurance is something all institutions even need to offer.
Standing out in the Crowd
One of the most important reasons community colleges should offer health benefits for their international students is that it helps them stand out in the crowd. As much as increasing enrollment has meant that there is an increasing number of international students, there are more great school choices than ever. Similarly, as students aim to further themselves, they may favor institutions over community colleges.
Offering health benefits is one way an institution can stand out in the crowd, then. Offering benefits can help schools attract new students and retain current students, thus increasing their enrollment.
Care for Your Community
It makes sense for a community college to be involved in the community around it, and that’s another reason your school should offer health benefits. When your students have proper health insurance coverage, you’re not only protecting your students and your institution, but medical providers in your community as well.
Students who lack coverage and experience a major medical event and cost will need to pay out of pocket for medical fees—and they might simply skip out on the bill. This can negatively impact hospitals and other care providers who serve your community, and it leaves all your stakeholders with a bad taste in their mouth.
Protect Students
Obviously, the number one reason any school should offer health benefits is to ensure students have adequate coverage. That way, when students get sick or need medical attention, they don’t need to worry about how to cover the costs.
It also helps keep your campus healthy. Students without medical insurance may not seek treatment for the common cold, flu, or other contagious illnesses that could lead to them spreading it around campus and infecting staff and students. Keep everyone healthy by offering health benefits to students at your institution.
What about the Cost?
A formidable issue for community colleges considering offering health benefits to their students is the cost. At a time when big companies are slashing health benefits and transferring costs to employees, most people think health benefits are far too costly for institutions like community colleges to offer. After all, if big companies bringing in millions or billions of dollars in revenue can’t afford health benefits, how can anyone else?
Health benefits don’t need to cost an arm and a leg, however, and plans can be quite affordable. Always be sure to do your research and determine what insurance plan is going to offer your institution the best possible value. Value goes beyond a price tag, of course; there are plenty of things to take into consideration when you’re shopping for a plan. The good news is there is a plan that fits your school’s needs—including its budget.
The Verdict
The answer to the question of whether community colleges should offer health benefits is very clearly “yes.” Offering benefits helps schools protect their students, their staff, and everyone else in their communities. Benefits can also help schools increase their enrollment by attracting new students. The best part? Offering benefits doesn’t need to break the bank.
