Fall Quarter 2022 TGS Activity Fee and U-Pass Access
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has once again agreed to make the U-Pass program optional for the Fall 2022 Quarter.
The Graduate School will not charge a Fall Quarter activity fee for eligible full-time students and will not activate any U-Passes for the Fall Quarter unless you choose to opt in.
If you do not plan to use a U-Pass during the Fall Quarter, no further action is needed. Your U-Pass will be inactive, and you will not be charged the Fall Quarter activity fee.
Opt-in details for the Fall Quarter are outlined below. This change is designed to provide you with the greatest amount of flexibility as we continue to mitigate challenges created by the pandemic.
Please email tgs-u-pass@northwestern.edu with any questions.
Sincerely,
Lauren-Ashley Buchanan, PhD
Associate Director, Student Life
The Graduate School
Opting In for Fall Quarter
If you are an eligible full-time student and plan to use a U-Pass during the Fall Quarter, please complete this opt-in form by Friday, August 26 (if you need to be issued a card) or by Friday, September 16 (if you already have a card) in order for your U-Pass to be active on the first day of the Fall 2022 Quarter on Tuesday, September 20.
We will activate your U-Pass, and a Fall Quarter 2022 activity fee of $125 will be applied to your student account later in the quarter. Please note, Fall Quarter 2022 begins on Tuesday, September 20, and ends on Monday, January 2.
Depending on how often you plan to use your U-Pass during the Fall Quarter, it may be more affordable to pay the activity fee of $125 for continuous service or to pay out of pocket. Please refer to the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) fare chart to help make the decision that is best for you. Please also visit the CTA pandemic webpage to read about their safety measures and tips for riders.
- If you already have a U-Pass and choose to opt in, your Fall Quarter U-Pass benefits will be activated on Tuesday, September 20 (or on the next business day if you opt in after this date).
- If you do not already have a U-Pass and choose to opt in, one will need to be issued:
- New U-Pass cards can take up to 2 weeks to create. To ensure that you receive your U-Pass on time, please submit your photo to the Wildcard Office by Friday, August 26, make sure your current address is listed in CAESAR, then fill in the opt-in form.
- You will then be provided the option to have your U-Pass card mailed to you or to pick up your card at The Graduate School's Evanston office located in the Rebecca Crown Center.
- Pick-up times for your U-Pass will be on Monday – Friday from 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM and 2:00 – 4:00 PM. (The office is closed from 1:00 – 2:00 PM for lunch.)
- TGS will begin mailing U-Passes the week of Monday, September 12 via USPS. Typically, the U-Pass arrives a few business days after mailing, but any returns may take up to three weeks to reach TGS. TGS is not responsible for any lost transit benefits in the case of a mailing delay.
- Once you receive your U-Pass, you will need to activate it by following the instructions on the accompanying card sleeve.
- You will then be able to use your U-Pass starting on Tuesday, September 20 (the first day of the Fall Quarter).
Activation Deadlines
- In order for your U-Pass to be created and activated by the start of Fall Quarter on Tuesday, September 20, please complete the opt-in form by Friday, August 26.
- If you already have a U-Pass and are unsure of your Fall Quarter plans, you may opt in any time before Sunday, October 23, but your U-Pass will not be active until the next business day after you complete the form.
- Once you choose to opt in and your U-Pass has been activated, you will not be able to change your decision due to our contractual obligations with CTA/Ventra. In addition, per our contract, we will not be able to honor any new U-Pass activation requests for the Fall Quarter after Sunday, October 23.
U-Pass Eligibility
Students enrolled in the Online Master of Arts in Counseling Program through The Family Institute, TGS 512 (continuous registration), TGS 514, or a co-op internship are not charged an activity fee and are not eligible for the services it provides.
Questions?
Please email tgs-u-pass@northwestern.edu with any questions.