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Frequently Asked Questions
Where and when do I pick up my U-Pass?
| I only need to take a few classes in order to graduate… | |
| I am a part-time student, but I also TA/participate in work-study… | |
I am a part-time student at SAIC, but also take classes at another school… |
I might drop to part-time. Should I pick up my U-Pass?
I drive to campus/I don’t use the CTA. Can I get a refund?
Can I sell my U-Pass or give it to a friend to use?
Why is the U-Pass fee required?
Where can I get more information about the CTA and its services?
The CTA established the U-Pass Program for eligible full-time students at accredited degree granting schools within the CTA service area. The program provides low cost transportation and increases access to the Chicago metropolitan area.
Each fall and spring semester all full-time undergraduate and graduate students are assessed a mandatory U-Pass fee entitling them to a nontransferable CTA U-Pass valid for that semester. The fee for Fall and Spring semesters is $105. The U-Pass is good for unlimited use aboard all CTA buses and trains throughout the semester.
Where and when do I pick up my U-Pass?
Please see Getting a U-Pass.
U-Pass eligibility is based on full-time status, which is determined by credit hours taken per semester. Minimum requirements may be different depending on Degree Program.
Credits Constituting Full-Time Status:
Academic Program |
Description |
Unit Total |
BFA |
Bachelor of Fine Arts |
12 |
BFAAE |
Bachelor Fine Art in Art Ed |
12 |
BFAAH |
BFA Art History, Theory, Criticism |
12 |
BFAW |
Bachelor of Fine Arts Writing |
12 |
BIA |
Bachelor Interior Architecture |
12 |
BAVS |
BA Visual & Critical Studies |
12 |
XUG |
Undergraduate Exchange Program |
12 |
AECER |
Art Education Certificate |
12 |
AHCER |
Art History Certificate |
9 |
CERT |
Graduate Certificate |
9 |
MAAD |
Master of Arts in Arts Admin |
9 |
MAAH |
Master of Arts in Art History |
9 |
MAVS |
Master of Art in Vis & Crit St |
9 |
MAAE |
Master of Arts in Art Educ |
9 |
MAT |
Master of Arts in Teaching |
9 |
MAAT |
Master of Arts in Art Therapy |
12 |
MAHA |
Master Arts Art History & Admn |
12 |
MARC |
Master of Architecture |
12 |
MDDO |
Master of Design in Design Obj |
12 |
MFA |
MFA Studio |
12 |
MFAW |
MFA Writing |
12 |
MIA |
Master of Interior Architecture |
12 |
MSHP |
MS in Historic Preservation |
12 |
PBS |
Post Bacc Studio Certificate |
12 |
PBW |
Post Bacc Writing Certificate |
12 |
XGR |
Graduate Exchange |
12 |
CS |
Continuing Studies/Spcl Prgms |
12 |
I only need to take a few classes in order to graduate (part-time hours). Can I still get the U-Pass?
No, U-Pass eligibility is based on credit hours taken that semester, regardless of graduation requirements.
I am a part-time student, but I also TA/participate in work-study on campus. Can I still get the U-Pass?
No, U-Pass eligibility is based on credit hours taken that semester, regardless of additional on or off-campus employment or extra-curricular activities.
I am a part-time student at SAIC, but am also taking classes at another Chicago school. Can I still get the U-Pass?
No, U-Pass eligibility is based on credit hours taken at SAIC.
I might drop to part-time. Should I pick up my U-Pass?
Do not pick up your U-Pass unless you are sure you will maintain your full-time status. After the Add/Drop period, students who have picked up the U-Pass and then dropped below full-time will have their passes deactivated and the $105 fee will not be refunded.
I drive to campus/I don’t use the CTA. Can I get a refund?
No refunds will be issued to full-time students. The mandatory U-Pass fee will be charged to all full-time students’ tuition and fee accounts.
Can I sell it or give it to a friend?
No, the SAIC CTA U-Pass is nontransferable and has your name and photo. The CTA reserves the right to require a student to show a valid school identification card upon request. If this condition is violated, the U-Pass will be confiscated for the duration of the valid dates without reimbursement, and person using it will be subject to arrest and prosecution.
Why is the U-Pass fee required?
The CTA requires SAIC to charge all full-time students in order to participate in the U-Pass Program.
The U-Pass works like a CTA fare card. It is inserted into the fare machines at CTA train stations and on CTA buses. NOTE: On CTA buses, if you insert your U-Pass into the dollar bill slot instead of the fare machine, it will be captured.
Where can I get more information about the CTA and its services?
Visit the CTA website at www.transitchicago.com or call the CTA Customer Service Hot-Line at 1-888-YOURCTA (1-888-968-7282).