May. 1, 2026

Updates to the Honors College's Fee Structure, Beginning Fall 2026

 

To help support the distinctive academic and community experiences offered through the Honors College, our students have historically paid modest fees associated with select HON classes. 

These fees provided necessary funding for both specific class activities (such as field trips, musical performances, etc.) and college-wide programming designed to foster community and camaraderie for all HC students.

Beginning in Fall 2026, the Honors College will adopt a new fee structure that lowers the total amount of fees most students pay while also creating greater transparency in how those fees are assessed.

Why the Update? 

University and NSHE guidelines require that course fees be used strictly for expenses directly related to a specific class. Our Fall 2026 fee structure update ensures continued compliance with NSHE guidelines while also preserving the high-impact unit-wide programming that defines the Honors College experience. As a result, we are shifting from multiple small course fees to a more transparent and streamlined model.

Fee Schedules by Program

The Honors College offers three distinct academic programs — University Honors (UH), Service-Learning Honors (SH), and Research & Creative Honors (RH) — each with its own fee structure. Please review the program you're interested in below.

Please note that these updates for 2026 do not increase the overall cost of participating in the Honors College and, in most cases, reduce the total fees students pay over time.

University Honors (UH) Program Fees

For UH students, we have decreased the amount and frequency of HON course fees in addition to creating a single, one-time program fee of $125 that is assessed for a UH student’s first semester.
 
Previous Model: 
Under the previous model, UH students were assessed:
  • $50 for HON 105
  • $50 for each HON 400-level seminar (four required)
  • Total over time: $250
New Model, Beginning Fall 2026: 
  • A reduced $20 course fee for HON 105
  • Most HON 400-level seminar sections no longer have course fees
    • Select HON 400-level seminar sections with specialized expenses, such as class trips or equipment access, will include a course fee of up to $50  assessed only to students enrolled in that specific section
  • A one-time $125 UH Program Fee assessed in the first semester
  • Minimum total over time: $145 (assumes taking four HON 400-level seminars without special course fees)

Service-Learning Honors Program Fees

For SH students we have decreased the amount and frequency of HON course fees in addition to creating a single, one-time program fee of $75 that is assessed for a SH student’s first semester.

Previous Model: 
Under the previous model, SH students were assessed:

  • $50 for each HON 400-level seminar (four required)

  • Total over time: $200

New Model, Beginning Fall 2026: 

  • Most HON 400-level seminar sections no longer have course fees

    • Select HON 400-level seminar sections with specialized expenses, such as class trips or equipment access, will include a course fee of up to $50  assessed only to students enrolled in that specific section
  • A one-time $75 SH Program Fee assessed in the first semester
  • Minimum total over time: $75 (assumes taking four HON 400-level seminars without special course fees)

Research & Creative Honors Program Fees

In short, we have decreased the amount and frequency of HON course fees in addition to creating a single, one-time program fee of $75 that is assessed for a RH student’s first semester.

Previous Model: 
Under the previous model, RH students were assessed:
  • $50 for each HON 400-level seminar (four required)
  • Total over time: $200
New Model, Beginning Fall 2026: 
  • Most HON 400-level seminar sections no longer have course fees
    • Select HON 400-level seminar sections with specialized expenses, such as class trips or equipment access, will include a course fee of up to $50  assessed only to students enrolled in that specific section
  • A one-time $75 RH Program Fee assessed in the first semester
  • Minimum total over time: $75 (assumes taking four HON 400-level seminars without special course fees)

Please note: Students who are already enrolled in the UH or SH Programs before starting RH will not be assessed the one-time $75 RH Program Fee. 

What does the Program Fee Support?

The one-time program fee sustains the distinctive Honors College experiences students value, including:

  • Honors Student Council (HSC) programming
  • Honors College student clubs (knitting club, creative writing club, etc.)
  • MidSemester Madness, Refresh Zone, and other study fuel  events 
  • HC Spirit Week and Trivia Bowl
  • Educational and cultural programming
  • Upgrades to the Honors College student lounge and event spaces
  • Student conference travel funding
  • Medallion Ceremony

These experiences are open to all students in the Honors College and not just those in a specific course. Our unit-wide programming outside the classroom is designed to boost students’ social and professional networking skills, foster community, leadership development, and student success and well-being, all of which are central to the Honors mission.

Our Commitment to Affordability

With this updated structure, UNLV’s Honors College remains among the most affordable Honors programs nationally.

Our goal is to ensure clarity, community, NSHE compliance, and continued excellence while keeping UNLV’s Honors College accessible to high-achieving students across Nevada and beyond.

If you have questions, please contact honors.admissions@unlv.edu.

Explore Our Programs

Learn more about the three distinct programs in the Honors College: