U-Pass Program

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 U-Pass 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.

U-Pass 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 U-Pass 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 U-Pass.

U-Pass Program participation is available to Undergraduate and Graduate level students on an opt-in basis. CTA has expanded U-Pass eligibility to include part-time students registered for (6) credit hours or more for fall and spring, and (3) credit hours for summer terms. 

Fall 2026 CTA U-Pass Information

Fall 2026 CTA U-Passes will be valid from Saturday, August 15 through Sunday, December 13, 2026.

The Fall 2026 CTA U-Pass request period is now open. Please complete the Fall 2026 CTA U-Pass Request Form by July 31, 2026 to ensure timely processing for fall opening. Submissions will continue to be accepted and processed through Tuesday, August 25.

Online Photo Submission

For new students, your HawkCard ID photo is needed to order your Ventra U-Pass card. 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 U-Pass will be processed for Fall 2026 within (1) week of your request form submission.  

Confirm that the semester U-Pass has been added to your Ventra card here.

Students transferring from another institution that already have a Ventra UPass card can have it transferred to Illinois Tech. Email us at campusbusiness@illinoistech.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 request form.

Ventra U-Pass Card Distribution

New and replacement Ventra U-Pass 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 eligible credit hours, have completed the Opt-In Form by the semester deadline, do not have a negative balance on your Ventra account, and your UPass is not activated, please email campusbusiness@illinoistech.edu. Eligible UPass activation requests will be updated within (1) week.
• Students who fall below the minimum enrollment requirements during the summer term may become ineligible for continued CTA U-Pass participation. Students are responsible for notifying the Campus Business Services Center of enrollment changes that may impact eligibility.
• Ineligible or unauthorized use of a CTA U-Pass may result in suspension of future participation privileges and replacement fees associated with card reissuance.
• 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.
• 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 U-Pass. 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).
• U-Pass 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 the minimum credit hours for a UPass 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.
• A semester U-Pass cannot be cancelled or refunded after the semester add/drop deadline for any reason, regardless of whether it is picked up by the student. Final U-Pass entitlements must be paid to CTA.

Conviser Law Center Student UPass Requests. 

Conviser Law Center students should contact Jenna Abhijeet (jabhijeet@illinoistech.edu) regarding their U-Pass.