Summer 2023 U-Pass
For the summer 2023 term, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) will allow eligible students–those who are registered with six or more credit hours–to opt in or out of the U-Pass program. To opt in or out of the summer U-Pass, you must respond to the official email sent to your SAIC email address. If we do not receive your response by June 22, then your CTA summer U-Pass will not be activated, and you will not be charged.
The CTA summer U-Pass will be active from May 27–August 20 and is available for $115 (plus a $5 card fee for new users). To opt in, you must be registered with six or more credit hours during the summer term to be eligible. If you are eligible for the program by Thursday, May 25, your CTA U-Pass card will be activated on Saturday, May 27. If you become eligible for the program after May 25, it will take 2-3 business days for your CTA U-Pass card to be activated.
Please note, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago does not have jurisdiction over the CTA U-Pass program. The CTA, which administers the U-Pass program for degree-seeking students at Chicago-based colleges and universities, will only charge eligible students who opt in as of June 22. If you drop below six credit hours by June 22, you are no longer eligible, and the CTA summer U-Pass charge will be removed from your account. All students who pick up the Ventra U-Pass card will be charged a one-time $5 fee. The $5 fee is non-refundable. If you opt in and are registered with six credit hours or more on or after June 22, you will be charged the full amount, whether you use the CTA summer U-Pass or not.
IMPORTANT! The U-Pass registration verification deadline for the summer term is Thursday, June 22. If you choose to opt in, your final U-Pass entitlement status will be determined based on your registration status as of this date. On June 22, students who have dropped below six credit hours will have their U-Pass entitlement deactivated, and their card will operate as a full-fare card.
Fall 2023 U-Pass
For the fall 2023 semester, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) will allow eligible students–those who are registered with six or more credit hours–to opt in or out of the U-Pass program. To opt in or out of the fall U-Pass, you must respond to the official email that will be sent to your SAIC email address weekly beginning June 29. If we do not receive your response by September 12, then your CTA fall U-Pass will not be activated, and you will not be charged.
The CTA fall U-Pass will be active from August 26–December 20, and is available for $155 (plus a $5 card fee for new users). To opt in, you must be registered with six or more credit hours during the fall semester to be eligible. If you are eligible for the program by Tuesday, August 22, your CTA U-Pass card will be activated on Saturday, August 26. If you become eligible for the program after August 22, it will take 2-3 business days for your CTA U-Pass card to be activated.
Please note, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago does not have jurisdiction over the CTA U-Pass program. The CTA, which administers the U-Pass program for degree-seeking students at Chicago-based colleges and universities, will only charge eligible students who opt in as of September 12. If you drop below six credit hours by September 12, you are no longer eligible, and the CTA fall U-Pass charge will be removed from your account. All students who pick up the Ventra U-Pass card will be charged a one-time $5 fee. The $5 fee is non-refundable. If you opt in and are registered with six credit hours or more on or after September 12, you will be charged the full amount, whether you use the CTA fall U-Pass or not.
On September 12, students who have dropped below six credit hours will have their U-Pass entitlement deactivated, and their card will operate as a full-fare card.
Remember: You will use the same Ventra U-Pass card that you used during the previous semesters. If your card has been lost or stolen, contact the ARTICard Office for information on obtaining a replacement.
If you have any questions about the U-Pass, please contact the ARTICard office at articard@saic.edu.
