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Winter Quarter 2025 TGS U-Pass Access and Transit Card Fee

November 14, 2024

Dear TGS students,

As a reminder, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has made the TGS U-Pass program optional on a quarterly basis for the 2024–25 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 Winter 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 Winter 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.

Opt-in details for the Winter Quarter are outlined below. Depending on your anticipated usage of the U-Pass, it may be more cost effective to pay the $125 U-Pass Transit Card Fee each quarter 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 Winter Quarter

(Current U-Pass Users)

If you are an eligible* TGS student and already have a U-Pass, please complete the Winter Quarter opt-in form by Thursday, December 19.

We will activate your U-Pass on Monday, January 6 (or on the next business day if you opt in after this date) and the U-Pass Transit Card Fee of $125 will be applied to your student account the week of February 24.

Winter Quarter 2025 begins on Monday, January 6 and ends on Monday, March 31.

Opting In for Winter Quarter
(New U-Pass Users)

If you are an eligible* TGS student and do not have a U-Pass, please complete the following steps to receive your card before the start of the Winter Quarter:

  • New U-Pass cards can take up to 2 weeks to create.
  • To ensure you receive your U-Pass on time, please:
  1. Submit your photo (if you are starting this quarter) to the Wildcard Office by Friday, December 6.
  2. Make sure your current address is listed in CAESAR.
  3. Complete the Winter Quarter opt-in form by Friday, December 6.

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 2:00–5:00 PM. (The office is closed from 1:00–2:00 PM for lunch.)
  • TGS will mail U-Passes the week of Monday, December 16 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 Winter Quarter on Monday, January 6, and the U-Pass Transit Card Fee of $125 will be applied to your student account the week of February 24.
  • If you opt in and do not receive your U-Pass in a timely manner, please email tgs-u-pass@northwestern.edu to inquire about the status of your request.

Winter Quarter 2025 begins on Monday, January 6 and ends on Monday, March 31.

Activation Deadlines 

  • To ensure your U-Pass is created and activated on Monday, January 6 (the start of the Winter Quarter), please complete the Winter Quarter opt-in form by Friday, December 6 (for new U-Pass holders) or by Thursday, December 19 (for current U-Pass holders).
  • If you already have a U-Pass and are unsure of your Winter Quarter plans, you may opt in any time before Sunday, February 2 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 Winter Quarter after Sunday, February 2.

U-Pass Eligibility

Students enrolled in the BS/MS program, TGS 512 (continuous registration), or TGS 514 are not eligible for a U-Pass. 

Questions?

Please email tgs-u-pass@northwestern.edu with any questions.

Categories: Around Campus, Other