CTA U-Pass Program
Illinois Tech is a participating school in the Chicago Transit Authority's (CTA) University Pass (U-Pass) Program. The program is intended to offer convenient, reduced-cost transportation to students, supporting accessibility to school and the Chicago metropolitan area with unlimited rides on CTA buses and trains throughout the duration of an academic term. To facilitate UPass entitlements, Ventra cards will be issued to participating students. Ventra cards are intended to last through the full duration of a student's enrollment with Illinois Tech.
UPass entitlements are not valid between academic terms. Ventra card holders are expected to add value to their transit accounts for bus and train rides during those times. Ventra UPass card holders may also add value for trips with friends and family. On those occasions, the first ride will be applied to their UPass. The additional rides on that trip will be applied as full regular fare to the transit account. In the event additional rides results in a negative balance, the student is expected to add value to resume use of their UPass.
Effective Fall 2023, optional enrollment for the UPass Program will continue indefinitely. Additionally, CTA has expanded UPass eligibility to include part-time students registered for 6 credit hours or more per semester. Undergraduate and Graduate students may opt-in for the UPass AFTER they are registered for 6 billable academic hours.
Fall 2023 Ventra U-Pass Information
Fall 2023 Ventra UPasses will be valid Monday, August 14 - Sunday, December 10, 2023. All eligible students who choose to participate in the program should complete the Fall 2023 Ventra UPass Opt-In Form. Completing the opt-in form ensures your UPass will be ordered/activated and your account billed the $155 UPass semester fee. You must complete this OPT-IN form by September 2, 2023 to receive the UPass for the semester.
Final Opt-in and Change Request Deadline
OPT-INs WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AFTER SEPTEMBER 2. Students that have opted-in, but decide to no longer receive the UPass will be extended a (1) time Change Request per semester. Students who would like to change their opt-in request must email campusbusiness@iit.edu prior to the add/drop deadline of September 2.
Priority Online Photo Submission Deadline
For new students, your HawkCard ID photo is needed to order your Ventra UPass card. The priority submission deadline to upload your photo via MyHawkCard is July 31. Uploading your photo by this deadline ensures your UPass will be ready for pickup by the UPass semester effective date.
We will continue to order new Ventra UPass cards from CTA between August 1 - September 2 for students that opt-in. Please note the pickup date will be 1-2 weeks after the HawkCard photo is submitted.
For returning students that opt-in, a new card will not be issued. Your UPass will be activated for Fall 2023 on August 14, 2023 if the request is received by July 31, 2023 or within (1) week for requests received between August 1 and September 2.
Students transferring from another institution that already have a Ventra UPass card can have it transferred to Illinois Tech. Email us at campusbusiness@iit.edu. Please include your name, Illinois Tech ID number, name of the college you are transferring from, and the 16 digit number on the back of your card. You must still complete the opt-in form.
Ventra U-Pass Card Distribution
New and replacement Ventra UPass cards will be distributed at the Campus Business Services Center (CBSC) in MTCC, Room 514. Students will receive an email when their card is ready for pickup.
Common U-Pass Solutions
- If you are registered for the minimum 6 credit hours, have completed the Opt-In Form by the final September 2 deadline, do not have a negative balance on your Ventra account, and your UPass is not activated, please email campusbusiness@iit.edu. Eligible UPass activation requests will be updated within (1) week.
- Dropping below the minimum 6 credit hour registration status will result in the deactivation of your Ventra UPass. If you drop below the minimum 6 credit hours during the semester, you must notify campusbusiness@iit.edu immediately. Failure to do so may result in you not being allowed to activate your next semester's UPass until after the add/drop date. A second violation will result in permanent cancellation of your Ventra card. Once your Ventra card is cancelled it will cost you $50 to obtain a new one.
- UPass accounts with a negative balance will not activate until funds are added to satisfy the outstanding balance. Please check your account balance through the Ventra app or on the Ventra website prior to August 14.
- For questions about your balance on your Ventra account contact Ventra Customer Service at 877.669.8368.
- If your UPass is lost or stolen, you can order a replacement card online.
Additional Notes about U-Pass
- Only you can use your UPass. You cannot share or sell your UPass. If this rule is violated and your UPass is confiscated your UPass privileges will be canceled by CTA for a full year (you will still have to pay the UPass fee).
- UPass entitlements do not apply on Metra or Pace transit. To use these services, you may add funds to your Ventra card to cover the ride(s) via the Ventra App or other designated CTA Vending or Retail Locations. Please note that while additional payments are accepted via the Ventra app for special rides, your standard UPass is still available through your Ventra UPass card.
- If you drop below 6 credit hours during the semester, your UPass will be deactivated for that semester. If this happens, please retain your Ventra UPass card. The same card will be reactivated if your eligibility resumes at a later date. A replacement card and its associated $50 fee will be required if you do not retain the original card.
Conviser Law Center Student UPass Requests
Conviser Law Center students MUST contact Jenna Abhijeet (jabhijeet@kentlaw.iit.edu) regarding their UPass.