Opt Out
As a current International Student studying at SFU, you will be enrolled in GuardMe@SFU’s Insurance plan as of January 1, 2026. This plan is mandatory for students who are studying in Canada.
- I am studying outside of Canada for the Spring 2026 term
If you are not in Canada, the GuardMe@SFU Insurance plan is not available to you and you MUST OPT OUT by completing the Out of Canada Waiver in order to receive a credit to your student account. The deadline to complete this opt out waiver is January 31, 2026.
- I am studying in Canada for the Spring 2026 term
If you already have valid coverage through BC Medical Services Plan (MSP), are studying at SFU under a government sponsored scholarship program, you may be able to opt out of the GuardMe@SFU Plan
If you qualify to opt out by the deadline, we will advise SFU of your eligibility and the charge will be reversed on your SFU account. The deadline to complete this opt out waiver is January 31, 2026.
You may be eligible for a refund of the unused portion of your insurance if you have not made a claim and there is at least 1 month of coverage remaining when you apply through guard.me. Your application for a partial reimbursement must be received by guard.me before the last month of the term e.g. before April 1, August 1, and December 1.
Eligible Plans
- BC Medical Services Plan (BC MSP)
- Canadian Bureau for International Education Health Care Plan
- Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan
- Canadian International Development Agency Health Care
- Canadian provincial or territorial public health plan
- Embassy of Kuwait
- Saudi Arabian Cultural Bureau
Proof of MSP must include a photo of your MSP card plus one of the following:
- Letter that was issued with the MSP card, showing effective date
- Current MSP bill showing effective coverage
- Health Insurance BC confirmation of MSP enrollment letter
No additional document is required if MSP card is issued more than 3 months prior to start of the semester.
If you are waiting for your MSP card to arrive, you can submit a letter from BC MSP. The letter must include both start and end dates of your MSP coverage. To request the letter from MSP, please visit BC MSP page
The opt out window is currently closed. For future term updates, please continue to monitor your school’s website and the GuardMe opt out page.
Who We Are
Canadian. Independent. Trusted.
GuardMe a proudly Canadian-owned and independent company,
has been unwavering in its commitment to safeguarding international students, staff, and schools since 1998.
For nearly three decades, we've poured ourselves into building strong partnerships with educational institutions
to bolster student support and foster safe, nurturing learning environments that make a difference.
As a trailblazer in the industry, GuardMe was the first
to introduce a Wellness Program, recognizing that
mental health is just as vital as physical well-being. Our 24/7 multilingual mental health helpline, virtual
counselling, and crisis intervention services provide immediate, culturally sensitive support, empowering
students to navigate life abroad confidently.
GuardMe was also the first provider to achieve ISO and
SOC 2 compliance in both security and privacy.
Unlike our venture-capital-backed competitors, we store all student data exclusively in Canadian data centres,
safeguarded by some of the world's strictest privacy laws. With advanced encryption and continuous investment
in security innovations, we set the industry benchmark for data protection.
Mental Wellness Student Support Program
keep.meSAFE’s innovative Student Support Program (SSP) helps students by promoting early
intervention and 24/7 access to mental health support. We help students manage their mental
health so they can fully participate in academic life and complete their studies. keep.meSAFE
is the first support program to use linguistically and culturally matched licensed clinicians,
providing your students a welcoming place where they are comfortable to seek help.
Program Features
Full integration with on-campus resources
Master’s level counsellors experienced in supporting domestic and international students
Access to a counsellor who understands their culture in their preferred language
Immediate and fully confidential support 24/7, through chat and telephone, as well as ongoing support
Free My SSP app with direct access to counsellors and self directed multilingual resources
Outcomes based success measures to report on results
Did you know?
50%
50% of students have felt overwhelming anxiety, making it hard to succeed academically
31%
31% of post-secondary students have felt so depressed that it was difficult to function
Want more information?
Contact our keep.meSAFE sales team,
[email protected]
www.keepmesafe.org
If this is an emergency, please call 911 immediately.
Get support when you need it most
Studying at college or university whether in another country or another city can be a wonderful and exciting life experience.
But it can also be a time of tremendous stress and isolation as you learn to navigate a new landscape and begin campus life.
The My Student Support Program is a support service available to eligible students that can help
them with challenges faced when studying or living abroad. You can contact MySSP anytime – day or night – to speak with
a counsellor who has experience supporting the unique challenges students face.
Access support from anywhere and anytime
Download the TELUS Student Support App from either the Apple App Store or Google Play
Call 1-833-768-2188
Outside North America 001-416-380-6578
Chat directly with a counsellor through the app.
Visit www.gmssp.org to learn more!
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Provides you with confidential support
MySSP is completely confidential within the limits of the law,
so no one – including your family, friends, or professors – will ever know you
used the program unless you choose to tell them
Talk to a a MySSP counsellor who
- Is available 24/7 and at no cost to you
- Keeps your information confidential
- Understands your culture
- Speaks your language
Get help and advice about anything
- Being successful at school
- Relationships with friends and family
- Language and cultural barriers
- Anxiety and stress
- Balancing work and school
- Adapting to new cultures
mobileDOCTOR by guard.me allows you to connect with Canadian
doctors on Maple, a telemedicine company, as a part of your health
benefits. Maple provides access to doctors, Canada wide, on your
phone, tablet or computer anytime, anywhere.
Seeing a doctor on Maple is safe and reliable, and can help prevent
the need to go to a walk-in clinic or Emergency Room.
When outside of Canada the Mobile Doctor service connecting you
to a Canadian doctor in real time remains available 24/7 for advice
purposes only.
How It Works
2. Apply account coverage for family members
To add insured family members, click on “Patient Profiles” from the dashboard.
In “Account Settings” under the “Coverage” tab, add the relevant guard.me policy numbers.
3. Chat With A Doctor
Click the “See The Doctor” button and a Maple doctor will respond to you in minutes.
You can have your consultation by text, video, or audio chat.
4. Get a diagnosis, prescription, or lab requisition
Doctors can diagnose injuries and illnesses, write prescriptions, and provide lab requisitions, all within your consultation. Please note that only eligible prescriptions and lab requisitions are covered by guard.me and can only be provided if you are in Canada.
What Can Be Treated
Sign up today at guard.me/mobiledoctorOpens a new window
Mobile Doctor - How To Video
Limitation on Liability
The Insurer, the Plan Administrator and/or the Claim Administrator are not responsible for the availability,
quality or results of any Medical Treatment, or Your failure to obtain Medical Treatment or transportation
and shall not be held liable for any negligence, wrongful acts or omissions of any service providers.
Do you need more information?
Please write to us at:
[email protected]
