Denton, October 21, 2025
News Summary
The University of North Texas plans to increase its student athletics fee from $17.85 to $25 per credit hour by the 2029-30 academic year, requiring a student vote due to state regulations. The proposal outlines a four-step increase, with a planned rise to $20 per credit hour starting in the 2026-27 academic year. These funds are intended to support various improvements including recruiting and sports medicine, amidst a challenging financial landscape for the athletics program at UNT.
Denton — The University of North Texas is proposing a phased increase to its student athletics fee that would raise the current rate from $17.85 per semester credit hour to $25 per credit hour by the 2029-30 academic year, and the plan requires a student vote under state rules because the total increase exceeds 10 percent.
Top-line proposal and vote requirement
The University of North Texas (UNT) athletic department plans to present a fee increase proposal to the student government. The proposal is aimed at increasing UNT’s student athletics fee, currently set at $17.85 per semester credit hour. If approved, the fee would rise to $20 per credit hour in the 2026-27 academic year, increasing to $25 by the 2029-30 academic year. This represents a total increase of 40%, requiring a student vote due to Texas Education Code provisions stipulating that fees cannot be raised by more than 10% without such approval.
Proposed schedule and impact on students
The proposal outlines a four-step increase: $20 (2026-27), $21 (2027-28), $23 (2028-29), and $25 (2029-30). A student taking 15 credit hours would see their total athletics fee rise from approximately $268 to $375. Each $1 increase is estimated to generate about $700,000 in additional revenue for UNT, depending on enrollment.
What the additional funds would support
The proposed fee increase would not fund name, image, and likeness (NIL) opportunities for athletes, as those funds come from athletics department revenue. Additional funds would support enhancements in recruiting, nutrition, sports medicine, and travel for the Green Brigade band, among others.
Context within conference and campus finances
UNT’s athletics budget stands at $53 million, ranking sixth among the 13 schools in the American Conference. The school is at a financial deficit compared to peers; for example, UNT received $4.2 million in financial distribution from the conference, the lowest for the fiscal year 2024. Jared Mosley, UNT athletic director, emphasized the need for increased funding to compete effectively in the American Conference and compared UNT’s fees to other Texas institutions (e.g., UTSA’s $20 and Texas State’s upcoming $25).
Recent increases and voting history
The UNT Board of Regents approved a previous increase of $1.60 per credit hour last year. The last student vote on an increase occurred in 2018, when the fee rose from $10 to $16.25 per credit hour. Rutwik Duggireddy, UNT’s student government association president, indicated mixed opinions among senators, with significant support observed.
Timing and campus climate
Time is critical as the proposal aims for a student vote before final exams in early December; if not possible, the school will seek a vote early next year. The proposal comes at a time of increased student engagement, highlighted by recent sellouts at home games and a promising football season, with UNT assured a bowl game appearance.
Next steps
The athletic department will present the plan to the student government association for consideration. Because the proposed overall increase exceeds 10 percent, the process requires a student referendum under the Texas Education Code. If the student vote endorses the plan, the staged increases would begin in the 2026-27 academic year; if students reject the proposal, the current fee structure would remain in place unless the university identifies alternative funding sources or a revised proposal.
Key details at a glance
- Current fee: $17.85 per semester credit hour
- Proposed schedule: $20 (2026-27), $21 (2027-28), $23 (2028-29), $25 (2029-30)
- Estimated revenue per $1 increase: $700,000 (depending on enrollment)
- UNT athletics budget: $53 million
- Conference distribution to UNT in fiscal 2024: $4.2 million
FAQ
What is the proposal?
The University of North Texas (UNT) athletic department plans to present a fee increase proposal to the student government.
What is the current fee?
The proposal is aimed at increasing UNT’s student athletics fee, currently set at $17.85 per semester credit hour.
How much would the fee increase and when?
If approved, the fee would rise to $20 per credit hour in the 2026-27 academic year, increasing to $25 by the 2029-30 academic year.
How big is the overall increase and why is a vote required?
This represents a total increase of 40%, requiring a student vote due to Texas Education Code provisions stipulating that fees cannot be raised by more than 10% without such approval.
What is the proposed year-by-year schedule?
The proposal outlines a four-step increase: $20 (2026-27), $21 (2027-28), $23 (2028-29), and $25 (2029-30).
How would the increase affect a typical student?
A student taking 15 credit hours would see their total athletics fee rise from approximately $268 to $375.
How much revenue is expected per $1 increase?
Each $1 increase is estimated to generate about $700,000 in additional revenue for UNT, depending on enrollment.
Will the funds go to NIL?
The proposed fee increase would not fund name, image, and likeness (NIL) opportunities for athletes, as those funds come from athletics department revenue.
What will the additional funds support?
Additional funds would support enhancements in recruiting, nutrition, sports medicine, and travel for the Green Brigade band, among others.
What is UNT’s budget and conference position?
UNT’s athletics budget stands at $53 million, ranking sixth among the 13 schools in the American Conference.
How much did UNT receive from the conference in fiscal 2024?
The school is at a financial deficit compared to peers; for example, UNT received $4.2 million in financial distribution from the conference, the lowest for the fiscal year 2024.
What is the timing for a student vote?
Time is critical as the proposal aims for a student vote before final exams in early December; if not possible, the school will seek a vote early next year.
| Academic Year | Fee per Credit Hour | Estimated Total for 15 Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Current | $17.85 | approximately $268 |
| 2026-27 | $20 | $300 |
| 2027-28 | $21 | $315 |
| 2028-29 | $23 | $345 |
| 2029-30 | $25 | $375 |
| Note: Each $1 increase is estimated to generate about $700,000 in additional revenue for UNT, depending on enrollment. | ||
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Additional Resources
- Dallas News: North Texas Seeks Financial Support
- Wikipedia: University of North Texas
- Mean Green Sports: Women’s Golf Ready for Challenge
- Google Search: University of North Texas athletics
- Mean Green Sports: 2026 Football Opponents Announced
- Encyclopedia Britannica: North Texas
- Mean Green Sports: UNT Suffers First Loss
- Google News: UNT loss to South Florida
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