Student Costs

A significant portion of the operational costs for CMU Cross Country Ski Team is covered by tuition support and club supporters. On average, the club incurs and fully covers approximately $6,200 in expenses per student per season. Student club members also benefit from additional high-value privileges. Students contribute to this funding by paying club dues.

  • $800 per season for the returning students
  • $1,350 for new students (includes team apparel)

All official training sessions and all must-do races are covered by the student club fee. This includes nearly every associated expense:

  • Coaching
  • Travel costs for both in-state and out-of-state events (vehicle and plane travel)
  • Team travel for training
  • Training and race ski waxes, and a fully-equipped wax room
  • Lodging for all events
  • Meals during travel events
  • Entry fees for races, including the Nationals
  • Most costs of the training camps
  • Trail passes
  • Half of the costs of team clothing

Student costs:

  • Personal expenses during team trips, including personal snacks, preferred items, or dining out, unless dining out has been arranged by the coach as a team meal, are the responsibility of the individual.

Membership dues for the club are refundable within the initial 14 days of a student officially joining the team, either through a formal welcome from the head coach or by submitting club dues, whichever occurs first. Following this period, dues are non-refundable. However, in exceptional cases, such as unforeseen circumstances, club dues may be prorated for the subsequent academic year at the discretion of the head coach or Assistant Athletic Director (Club Sports).

The rationale behind the non-refundable nature of dues after the 14-day period is twofold. Firstly, the coach makes arrangements for races, lodging, team supplies, and travel, often involving reservations, based on student registrations. Refunding dues beyond this timeframe may disrupt these arrangements. Secondly, considerable staff hours are dedicated to onboarding new students onto the team, representing an investment that cannot be recouped if dues are refunded.

Fundraising:

  • Students must take part in a minimum of one fundraiser per season.

Scholarships

CMU Cross Country Skiing offers partial scholarships to assist athletes in covering part of their tuition costs. These scholarships are awarded by the head coach, who evaluates applicants based on their prior ski racing achievements or current USCSA points/rankings. The best-performing athletes, as determined by their points and rankings, are prioritized for scholarship consideration, with those holding the highest ranking receiving preference based on availability. Additionally, athletes with FIS points can also utilize them to determine their eligibility for scholarships. These scholarships typically range from $1,000 to $3,000 per school year or ski season, providing valuable financial support to deserving athletes pursuing their academic and athletic endeavors at CMU.