U-Pass FAQ's

Who Qualifies for a U-Pass?

Is a U-Pass available in the summer?

Can I opt out of the U-Pass?

My school does not participate in the U-Pass program, can I buy one?

Why Am I charged for the U-Pass?

I don’t use my U-Pass or never picked up my U-Pass, can I get the charges refunded?

I am disabled and unable to utilize CTA, can I have my U-Pass charge refunded?

Why didn't I receive a preprinted U-Pass at distribution?

What if my U-Pass is lost or stolen?

My pass was captured by the fare box, what do I do?

What if my Card is defective?

Who should I contact with questions or concerns?

 

 Who Qualifies for a U-Pass?

The following students participate in the CTA U-Pass program:

All undergraduate students enrolled in 12 or more credit hours at both Loyola Campuses (Lake Shore and Water Tower)
*   College of Arts and Sciences
*   School of Business Administration
*   School of Communication
*   Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing
*   St. Joseph Seminary
*   School of Education
*   School of Social Work

Graduate students enrolled in 8 or more graduate credit hours at the Loyola Campuses  
*   School of Law
*   School of Social Work
*   Institute of Pastoral Studies
*   Graduate School of Education
*   Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

Graduate School of Business enrolled in 6 or more Graduate Business hours at Loyola Chicago Campuses. This is for all quarters: Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer.

The following programs are ineligible for the CTA U-Pass:

*Any student enrolled in Loyola's Rome Center Campus or in any other programs located in foreign countries. 

*Students enrolled in the Loyola University Medical Center, Educational Cohorts, the School of Continuing and Professional Studies, and Social Work Carthage programs will not participate in the CTA U-Pass program.

*The U-Pass is not available in the summer to any program except the Graduate School of Business.

Is a U-Pass available in the summer?

No, U-Pass is not available in the summer for any program except the Graduate School of Business. Graduate School of Business students must be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours (400 level or higher). All Loyola students looking for summer transit options can visit CTA. 

Can I opt out of the U-Pass?

No, all students in an eligible program are charged for this benefit and are unable to opt out. The decision is made at the school or program level to be part of the program. Individual students cannot opt out.

In many ways, this is like other charges at the university. Students may not use Halas Hall but still pay a for this as part of

I want to get a pass but my school does not participate, can I buy one?

Unfortunately no. We encourage you to visit the Dean of your school/academic program for guidance. Since the U-Pass is not an optional program, ALL students in a qualifying academic program/school must pay for the pass. Individual schools/programs can choose, based on the need of their students, to participate in the program if they feel it would benefit the vast majority of their students. 

I want a pass but am not a full-time student, can I purchase one?

You must be part of an eligible group or school to receive the U-Pass. All part-time students (under 12 credit hours as an undergraduate or under 8 as a graduate student) do not qualify for the U-Pass and will not be charged. All 

What if I drop classes from full to part time?

If a student drops to part-time status within the 10 day add/drop date (10 days from the start of the semester), their U-Pass will be turned off and the student will be credited the U-Pass fee.

What if I add classes that take me from  a part-time to a full-time student?

If a student adds credit hours making them full-time within the add/drop date (10 days), they will be charged for the U-Pass and one will be made for them after the U-Pass team runs a report on that 10th day. If a student enrolls at full-time status during our U-Pass distribution week, they will be able to have a pass made while CTA is on-site. We encourage all students who change their academic status to visit us at the Centennial Forum Student Union.

Your eligibility for U-Pass is based on when you are full-time or part-time. If you enroll by the drop / add date for a “W”, then you get the pass. If you add or drop courses after this date, then no U-pass will be issued.

Why Am I charged for the U-Pass?

The U-Pass fee is $103 per semester for Loyola Undergraduate and Graduate students, $109 for Law School students, and is included in student tuition fees valid from the beginning of the semester until the last day of final exams each semester.  This fee is non-refundable.

For Graduate School of Business, the fee is $73 every quarter and is also nonrefundable.

The fee covers the charge by CTA for the pass and a small administrative fee.

I don’t use my U-Pass or never picked up my U-Pass, can I get the charges refunded?

No, CTA requires us to assess all students in programs that accept the program and are eligible. The eligibility is decided by the school or program. We encourage students to pick up the U-Pass. 

I am disabled and unable to utilize CTA, can I have my U-Pass charge refunded?

The CTA requires the university to assess all eligible students in order for us to participate in this program. For a waiver due to disability, the disability must be documented and the CTA must be unable to accommodate the disability for a waiver to be granted. Please contact the U-Pass office directly at upass@luc.edu .

Why didn't I receive a preprinted U-Pass at distribution?

U-Passes are distributed at the beginning of each semester or quarter.  If you register early enough, normally three weeks before the start of the semester/quarter, then we will be able to have a pre-printed U-Pass available for you during distribution.

If you register or switch your schedule around after that internal deadline, please make sure to go to one of the U-Pass distribution sessions during the first week of the semester/quarter. The first few days (normal the first week), CTA representatives are on site to make passes for students that qualify and just did not receive a pre-printed pass. U-Pass Administration will attempt to notify all students of their status (pre-print or no pre-print) prior to distribution times.  If a student who does not have a pre-printed pass, and does not have one made when CTA is on-site during the week long distribution, they will need to wait at least 10 days until new passes are generated and sent to the university.

How often can I use my U-Pass?

U-Pass allows for unlimited use on all CTA trains and bus lines.  A student cannot reuse their pass for 10-15 minutes on the same bus or train.

Can I let my friend borrow my U-Pass?

No, the U-Pass is limited to exclusive use by the full-time student whose name and photo appear on the card. Any U-Pass presented by a person other than the student whose name and photo appears on it will be confiscated by CTA . Furthermore, the U-Pass will be deactivated and repeat offenders can be referred to Loyola University Chicago's Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution.

Can I use my U-pass on Metra or Pace?

The U-Pass is only eligible on CTA. Metra and Pace do not accept U-Pass.

What if my U-Pass is lost or stolen?

Students need to bring valid identification including a school ID, $50.00 replacement fee (cash credit or money order) , to:

CTA Customer Service

567 W. Lake St. Chicago IL

Office hours Mon-Fri 8:00am-4:30pm.

To speed up the process, please complete the CTA replacement form

 The replacement card is mailed directly to Loyola University, generally in 5-7 business days. Upon receipt of the replacement pass, students will be contacted via email to pick up their U-Pass at either the Centennial Forum Student Union Information Desk (LSC) or the Terry Student Center Information Desk (WTC).

My pass was captured by the fare box, what do I do?

Students will be asked to complete a Report of Captured Fare Card with the bus driver or a person at the el stop, called Form 3027.  Students will be allowed to ride free and given a copy of the report.

Students must bring a copy of the form and student ID to:

CTA Customer Service

567 W. Lake St. Chicago IL.

Office hours Mon-Fri 8:00am-4:30pm.

The replacement U-Pass will be sent to Loyola University Chicago in 5 - 7 business days. Upon receipt of the replacement pass, students will be contacted via email to pick up their U-Pass at either the Centennial Forum Student Union Information Desk (LSC) or the Terry Student Center Information Desk (WTC).

If the card capture occurred because the student inserted the card into the wrong slot, they will not be issued any temporary fare. 

What if my Card is defective?

   At a bus:

The bus operator will allow the student to complete the ride free.  However, students must bring the damaged card and student ID to:

CTA Customer Service Center

567 W Lake Street (Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.)

Chicago IL

The damaged card will be collected and the student will be issued an unlimited five-day transit pass.  The replacement U-Pass will be sent to Loyola University Chicago in 5 - 7 business days.  Students will not be charged the $50 replacement fee.  Upon receipt of the replacement pass, students will be contacted via email to pick up their U-Pass at either the Centennial Forum Student Union Information Desk (LSC) or the Terry Student Center Information Desk (WTC).

       At CTA Rail Stations:

The student should present their U-Pass to the customer service assistant to have it inspected. The student then must bring the damaged card and a student ID to:

CTA Customer Service Center

567 W Lake Street (Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.)

Chicago IL

The damaged card will be collected and the student will be issued an unlimited five-day transit pass.  The replacement U-Pass will be sent to Loyola University Chicago in 5 - 7 business days.  Students will not be charged the $50 replacement fee.  Upon receipt of the replacement pass, students will be contacted via email to pick up their U-Pass at either the

Who should I contact with questions or concerns?

Please email upass@luc.edu

You may also contact CTA at 1-888-Your CTA (1-888-968-7282) or email them at cta-upass@transitchicago.com

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