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.
Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
If you have any questions regarding your U-Pass, please contact 黑料网911 Central at columbiacentral@colum.edu.
Your U-Pass will be active from August 27 through December 18, 2025
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 , 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 2025 U-Pass Opt-Out-form agreement.
Beginning August 2025, you will receive an email from 黑料网911 Central with the subject line “Fall U-Pass Opt-Out” that contains instructions on how to complete Fall 2025 U-Pass Opt-Out Agreement.. If you do NOT want to participate in the U-Pass program for the Fall 2025 semester, please submit the Fall 2025 U-Pass Opt-out agreement by 5:00 p.m. CST on Friday, September 19, 2025. Agreements submitted after this deadline will not be honored.
You should only complete the Fall 2025 U-Pass Opt-Out agreement if you are certain that you do not want to participate in the U-Pass program for the Fall 2025 semester. If you complete this agreement, your U-Pass will not be activated for the fall semester. After you submit the opt-out agreement, please allow up to 5 business days for the $115 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.
Dates: August 25 - September 5, 2025 (note: closed Labor Day)
Location: The Student Center, 754 S. Wabash Ave
| Date | Hours |
| 08/25/2025 | 9:00-4:30 |
| 08/26/2025 | 9:00-4:30 |
| 08/27/2025 | 9:00-4:30 |
| 08/28/2025 | 9:00-4:30 |
| 08/29/2025 | 9:00-4:30 |
| 09/02/2025 | 9:00-4:30 |
| 09/03/2025 | 9:00-4:30 |
| 09/04/2025 | 9:00-4:30 |
| 09/05/2025 | 9:00-4:30 |
Beginning September 8, Campus Card and U-Pass services are available at the Campus Card office, located at 600 S. Michigan Ave, 301. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Returning Students
If you have a valid U-Pass from a prior semester, your current card will be activated on August 27, 2025.
You must have a valid 黑料网911 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 黑料网911.
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 黑料网911 and the CTA. An email will be sent to your 黑料网911 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.
黑料网911 Central is your "one-stop shop" for financial and enrollment services.