ABOUT THE ATHLETICS STUDENT FEE
In May 2021, the Board of Regents approved the Athletics Student Fee to be assessed via a headcount model. Students at UNM have always paid fees to support the Athletics programs at the University, but the method in which these fees are assessed was changed by the Board of Regents in May 2021 to become a flat rate, per semester fee. The Athletics fee is used to support the Athletics programs at the University and is intended to offset costs associated with student support, team travel, and other costs which benefit student-athletes.
UNM students receive free admission to all athletic events and are eligible for a number of student specific events and promotions offered by the Athletics program. Other key benefits for students include free parking at UNM Athletic Events with a valid UNM Student ID, the ability to purchase $10.00 guest tickets for Football and men’s basketball events, a savings of 40% or more, reserved seating areas in athletic venues, and access to student-specific events sponsored by Athletics.
The Athletic Department works to support the University of New Mexico’s mission by serving and representing the states flagship institution through intercollegiate athletics. To accomplish this, the Athletic Department commits itself to student-athlete success and competitive excellence by creating an inclusive environment through recruiting, developing, and retaining quality people, while providing a great fan experience, inspiring community engagement, and serving as a source of pride for the University, City of Albuquerque, and state of New Mexico.
The Athletics student fee is assessed on a per semester basis, $165.00 for undergraduate students and $150.00 for graduate students in the 2025-26 Academic Year. A total of approximately $6.4 million will be generated from the Athletics student fee in the 2025-26 academic year. The fee will increase to $225.00 per semester for undergraduate students and $210.00 per semester for graduate students in the 2026-27 Academic Year. Fees are accumulated to offset costs associated with sponsoring the University’s NCAA Division 1 athletic programs.
The University of New Mexico sponsors 18 sports programs in the Mountain West Conference: Baseball, Men’s Basketball, Women’s Basketball, Men’s Cross Country, Women’s Cross Country, Football, Men’s Golf, Women’s Golf, Men’s Tennis, Women’s Tennis, Men’s Track & Field, Women’s Track & Field, Women’s Soccer, Softball, Women’s Swimming and Diving, and Women’s Volleyball. The athletic department supports over 400 student-athletes, 90 spirit program members, and approximately 60 student employees.
In the Fall of 2023, UNM Medical Students were added to the headcount model and are now eligible for the associated Athletic Student Fee benefits. Branch campus students do not pay the Athletics Student Fee and are therefore not eligible for the associated benefits.
Graduate/PhD students taking dissertation courses only are not charged the Athletics Fee and are therefore not eligible for the associated benefits. Graduate/PhD students taking 4 or more hours of regular graduate courses (non-dissertation courses) are charged the Athletic student fee and are eligible for the associated benefits.