The University Pass (U-Pass) is a discounted fare card that replaces cash/other transit cards for all Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) fares and may be used 365 days/year on CTA trains and buses. The CTA has chosen to make the TGS U-Pass program optional on a quarterly basis for the 2025–26 academic year. All full-time, part-time, and online TGS students are eligible to opt in to this program (please note the eligibility exceptions below).
If you choose to opt in, your U-Pass will be activated (or issued) for the Spring Quarter and a quarterly $125 U-Pass Transit Card Fee will be applied to your student account.
If you do not plan to use a U-Pass for the Spring Quarter, no further action is needed. Your U-Pass will be inactive, and you will not be charged the $125 U-Pass Transit Card Fee this quarter.
Note: Spring Quarter 2026 begins on Tuesday, March 31 and ends on Sunday, June 21.
CTA University Pass (U-Pass) is a discounted fare card that replaces cash/other transit cards for all CTA fares. It does not require a transfer or surcharge for unlimited rides all day, every day.
U-Pass is offered to TGS students who are enrolled full-time, part-time, or online that have opted in through the quarterly U-Pass Transit Card Fee.
Students enrolled full-time, part-time, or online in The Graduate School (TGS) are eligible for a U-Pass.
Please note: Students enrolled in the BS/MS program, TGS 512 (continuous registration), or TGS 514 are not eligible for a U-Pass during only the quarter in which they are enrolled in any of these.
No, students cannot pay the TGS U-Pass Transit Card Fee if it has not been charged to their account.
Pace fares are not included as part of the U-Pass program. However, U-Passes may be used as fare cards on Pace buses. Students may load money onto their U-Pass and use it to ride Pace. Metra commuter train lines do not accept U-Passes.
Registering your U-Pass and activating your U-Pass are not the same thing. Activating your U-Pass is required and you must activate it by calling 1-877-450-5328 upon receiving your card. Registering your U-Pass protects purchased passes and transit values. This is optional.
If you used the U-Pass before it was activated, your U-Pass will have a negative balance, which will need to be paid in order to use your U-Pass. You can do this online at ventrachicago.com or by using the kiosks available at the CTA train station. Once the balance is paid in full, then the semester’s unlimited balance will be transferred to your card. If you have any additional questions about your U-Pass or paying your balance online please check the CTA website or call the CTA at 1-888-YOUR-CTA.
Some students have discovered that their credit or debit card with Blink technology has been charged after tapping their wallet on the Ventra card portal. To avoid this issue, remove your U-Pass from your wallet or separate it from other credit/debit cards when tapping it on the Ventra portal. If your credit or debit card is charged by the CTA, you have several options to address the situation:
Contest the charges with your bank.
Send an email to customerservice@ventrachicago.com and attach a statement with all your personal information blacked out. Request that the funds be returned to your U-Pass’s Ventra account. In order for your funds to be returned, they must show as “pending” and not posted to your credit/debit account. These funds can be used when you are no longer enrolled full-time at TGS. Include your contact information in the message.
Contact the CTA at 1-888-YOUR-CTA.
You can pay negative U-Pass balances online at ventrachicago.com or by using the kiosks available at a CTA train station. Once the balance is paid in full your card will be active.
TGS will assist you with ordering a replacement U-Pass. A $50 replacement fee will be added to your Student Account as part of the process.
TGS will send you a confirmation of your order and email you when your card is ready for pickup. Your U-Pass will be available for pick-up at the TGS' Evanston Office (Rebecca Crown Center, 633 Clark Street). Note: The Graduate School is temporarily located in the East Tower of Rebecca Crown Center. Please use the south entrance (near the clock tower) and call 847.491.5279 upon arrival to gain access.
The U-Pass is a contractile card – tap it to the Ventra reader to pay your fare. (DO NOT insert it into fare equipment – you will lose it and need to pay a replacement fee for your lost card.)
If your U-Pass is damaged due to abuse and misuse, then it will be treated as a lost or stolen U-Pass. In order to replace it you will need to:
TGS will assist you with ordering a replacement U-Pass. A $50 replacement fee will be added to your Student Account as part of the process.
If your U-Pass is damaged due to wear and tear, we will order a replacement for you. However, please be sure to bring the damaged card when you pick up the new one.
TGS will send you a confirmation of your order and email you when your card is ready for pickup. Your U-Pass will be available for pick-up at the TGS' Evanston Office (Rebecca Crown Center, 633 Clark Street). Note: The Graduate School is temporarily located in the East Tower of Rebecca Crown Center. Please use the south entrance (near the clock tower) and call 847.491.5279 upon arrival to gain access.
If your U-Pass is not working and you suspect it is defective (as opposed to damaged), contact TGS and we will verify your enrollment and that your U-Pass should be active. You will then be asked to go with your U-Pass to Ventra Customer Service at 567 W Lake St., Chicago IL, 60661, where they will determine whether the U-Pass is damaged or defective. If the U-Pass is deemed “defective,” you will be provided a voucher and a 7-day Ventra pass and Ventra will request for a new U-Pass for you. You will be contacted once your new U-pass arrives on campus.
TGS can assist you with ordering a new Ventra card with your new name.
Visit TGS’ Evanston Office (Rebecca Crown Center, 633 Clark Street). Note: The Graduate School is temporarily located in the East Tower of Rebecca Crown Center. Please use the south entrance (near the clock tower) and call 847.491.5279 upon arrival to gain access. Please bring your WildCARD and your U-Pass.
TGS will email you when your new card is available.
Please allow up to two weeks for the card to arrive at The Graduate School. You will be emailed when the card is ready for pickup.
If you opted in and did not receive your U-Pass in a timely manner, please email tgs-u-pass@northwestern.edu to inquire about the status of your request.
U-Passes will be deactivated for any given quarter you do not meet the eligibility requirements. You can check the exact date the current U-Pass will end by visiting VentraChicago or using your Ventra App.
If you become ineligible for the U-Pass at any point during the quarter, your U-Pass will be deactivated. If you become eligible for the U-Pass during the quarter, please contact TGS at tgs-u-pass@northwestern.edu to confirm the change.
You may use your U-Pass as often as desired. However, students can't reuse their card at the same station or on the same bus line for 10-15 minutes.
No. The U-Pass is not transferable and will be confiscated if the CTA suspects misuse of the U-Pass. CTA maintains the right to inspect the U-Pass used by a student and to ask the student for another form of identification to ensure that the pass is being used by the person to whom it is issued. Furthermore, CTA maintains the right to deny a student access to the CTA system at the U-Pass reduced fee if the student does not possess both the U-Pass and a current School I.D.
All full-time enrolled TGS students may opt-in each quarter to receive a U-Pass transit card. If you do not plan to use a U-Pass for the upcoming Quarter, no further action is needed. Your U-Pass will be inactive, and you will not be charged the $125 quarterly U-Pass Transit Card fee.
However, once you choose to opt in and your U-Pass is activated for that quarter, you will not be able to change your decision due to our contractual obligations with CTA/Ventra.