Spring Quarter 2023 U-Pass Access and TGS Activity Fee
Dear TGS students,
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has once again agreed to make the TGS U-Pass program optional for Spring Quarter 2023 to provide added flexibility.
- If you choose to opt in, your U-Pass will be activated (or issued) for the Spring Quarter and the $125 quarterly activity 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 quarterly activity fee.
Opt-in details for the Spring Quarter are outlined below. Depending on how often you plan to use your U-Pass during the Spring Quarter, it may be more affordable to pay the $125 quarterly activity fee for continuous service or to pay out of pocket. Please refer to this CTA fare chart to help make the decision that is best for you.
Please email tgs-u-pass@northwestern.edu with any questions.
Sincerely,
Lauren-Ashley Buchanan
Associate Director, Student Life
The Graduate School
Opting In for Spring Quarter
(Current U-Pass Users)
If you are an eligible* full-time TGS student and already have a U-Pass, please complete the Spring Quarter opt-in form by Tuesday, March 14.
We will activate your U-Pass on Tuesday, March 28 (or on the next business day if you opt in after this date) and the quarterly activity fee of $125 will be applied to your student account later in the quarter.
Spring Quarter 2023 begins on Tuesday, March 28 and ends on Monday, June 19.
Opting In for Spring Quarter
(New U-Pass Users)
If you are an eligible* full-time TGS student and do not have a U-Pass, please complete the following steps to receive your card before the start of the Spring Quarter:
- New U-Pass cards can take up to 2 weeks to create.
- To ensure you receive your U-Pass on time, please:
- Submit your photo to the Wildcard Office by Friday, March 10.
- Make sure your current address is listed in CAESAR.
- Complete the Spring Quarter opt-in form by Friday, March 10.
- You will choose to have your U-Pass card mailed to you or to pick it up at The Graduate School's Evanston office in Rebecca Crown.
- Pick-up times are 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 mail U-Passes the week of Monday, March 20 via USPS. Typically, the U-Pass arrives a few business days after mailing, but any returns may take up to 3 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 the card by following the instructions on the accompanying card sleeve.
- We will then activate your U-Pass for the Spring Quarter on Tuesday, March 28 and the quarterly activity fee of $125 will be applied to your student account later in the quarter.
Spring Quarter 2023 begins on Tuesday, March 28 and ends on Monday, June 19.
Activation Deadlines
- To ensure your U-Pass is created and activated on Tuesday, March 28 (the start of the Spring Quarter), please complete the Spring Quarter opt-in form by Friday, March 10.
- If you already have a U-Pass and are unsure of your Spring Quarter plans, you may opt in any time before Sunday, April 30 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 is 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 Spring Quarter after Sunday, April 30.
U-Pass Eligibility
*Students enrolled in the BS/MS program, 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 a U-Pass.
Questions?
Please email tgs-u-pass@northwestern.edu with any questions.