Ventra U-Pass provides unlimited rides on the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) buses and trains for students who are enrolled for at least 6 credit hours. Graduate students enrolled in an eligible thesis course are also eligible for a U-Pass. All eligible students are billed the U-Pass Fee on their tuition account.
If you enroll in an off-campus program for the entire semester, including Semester in LA or Study Abroad, you will not be charged the U-Pass Fee and your U-Pass will not be activated for the fall semester.
The U-Pass Fee for the fall and spring semesters is $153; the summer fee is $115. The U-Pass Fee will not be pro-rated based on enrollment status.
Your U-Pass will be active from August 29 through December 19,2024
If you use your Ventra U-pass before or after the semester active dates and do not add funds to the Transit Account on the card, you may incur a negative balance on your card and your U-pass fare will be disabled until the negative balance is resolved with Ventra. You can check your balance online, or call Ventra at 877-669-8368.
Participation in the U-Pass program is optional. If you do not want your U-Pass for the fall semester, you must submit the Fall 2024 U-Pass Opt-Out form.
Beginning July 2024, you will receive an email from Columbia Central with the subject line “Fall U-Pass Opt-Out” that contains a link to the Fall 2024 U-Pass Opt-Out Form. If you do NOT want to participate in the U-Pass program for the Fall 2024 semester, please submit the Fall 2024 U-Pass Opt-Out form by 5:00 p.m. CST on Friday, September 20, 2024. Forms submitted after this deadline will not be honored.
You should only complete the Fall 2024 U-Pass Opt-Out form if you are certain that you do not want to participate in the U-Pass program for the Fall 2024 semester. If you complete this form, your U-Pass will not be activated for the fall semester. After you submit the opt-out form, please allow up to 5 business days for the $153 U-Pass Fee to be removed from your student account.
If you choose to opt out of U-Pass, please retain your Ventra U-Pass for use in future semesters.
If you have any questions about the Ventra U-Pass program, please email us at columbiacentral@colum.edu.
If you plan to participate in the U-Pass program for the Fall 2024 semester, you should submit your Campus Card photo and be enrolled for 6 credit hours no later than August 5, 2024, to ensure timely delivery of your U-Pass. For an optimal service experience, we recommend that you submit your photo and finalize your schedule as soon as possible. Your Campus Card photo will also be used on your U-Pass card.
If you are enrolled for a minimum of 6 credit hours and have not opted-out of the U-Pass program, you may pick up your U-Pass on the dates and locations listed below. Please note: a valid Campus Card is required to pick up your U-Pass.
Dates: August 27-September 6, 2024 (note: closed Labor Day)
Location: The Student Center, 754 S. Wabash Ave
| Date | Hours |
| 08/27/2024 | 9:00-4:00 |
| 08/28/2024 | 9:00-4:00 |
| 08/29/2024 | 9:00-4:00 |
| 08/30/2024 | 9:00-4:00 |
| 09/03/2024 | 9:00-4:00 |
| 09/04/2024 | 9:00-4:00 |
| 09/05/2024 | 9:00-4:00 |
| 09/06/2024 | 9:00-4:00 |
Beginning September 9, Campus Card and U-Pass services are available at the Campus Card office, located at 600 S. Michigan Ave, Suite 301. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Returning Students
If you have valid U-Pass from a prior semester, your current card will be activated on August 29, 2024.
You must have a valid Columbia Campus Card to pick up your Ventra U-Pass card.
You must activate the card before you use it by calling the Ventra phone number listed on the card sleeve, 877-450-5328.
It is important to register your Ventra U-Pass card so your account balance is protected. If you don't register your card, you will lose unused balances on your account once your card expires, or if your card is lost or stolen. Registering your card also offers you easy account management options online, by phone, or through the Ventra App.
If you are enrolled in an off-campus program for the entire semester—including Semester in LA and Study Abroad—you are not charged the U-Pass Fee and your U-Pass will not be activated for the semester.
Transfer Students who received a Ventra U-Pass at their previous school may bring their Ventra card to the U-Pass distribution event to have the U-Pass benefit transferred over to Columbia College Chicago.
If you drop below 6 credits during the add/drop period of the semester, the U-Pass Fee will be credited on your tuition account and you will not be eligible for the Ventra U-Pass, per the agreement between Columbia College Chicago and the CTA. An email will be sent to your Columbia email account notifying you of the deactivation. Please be sure you are prepared to cover your public transportation costs or make other transportation arrangements if you drop below 6 credits.
Columbia Central is your "one-stop shop" for financial and enrollment services.