Summer Quarter 2025 TGS U-Pass Access and Transit Card Fee
As a reminder, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has made the TGS U-Pass program optional on a quarterly basis for the 2024–25 academic year. All full-time, part-time, and online TGS students are eligible to opt into this program (please note the eligibility* exceptions below).
- If you choose to opt in, your U-Pass will be activated (or issued) for the Summer Quarter and a quarterly $125 U-Pass Transit Card Fee will be applied to your student account.
- If you do not plan to use a U-Pass for the Summer Quarter, no further action is needed. Your U-Pass will be inactive, and you will not be charged the $125 U-Pass Transit Card Fee this quarter.
Please email tgs-u-pass@northwestern.edu with any questions.
Sincerely,
Lauren-Ashley Buchanan
Director, Office of Student Life
The Graduate School
Opting In for Summer Quarter
(Current U-Pass Users)
If you are an eligible* TGS student and already have a U-Pass, please complete the Summer Quarter opt-in form by Tuesday, June 17.
We will activate your U-Pass on Monday, June 23 (or on the next business day if you opt in after this date) and the U-Pass Transit Card Fee of $125 will be applied to your student account the week of August 18.
Note: Summer Quarter 2025 begins on Monday, June 23 and ends on Sunday, September 14.
Opting In for Summer Quarter
(New U-Pass Users)
If you are an eligible* TGS student and do not have a U-Pass, please complete the following steps to receive your card before the start of the Summer Quarter:
- New U-Pass cards can take up to 2 weeks to create.
- To ensure you receive your U-Pass on time, please:
- Submit your photo (if you are starting this quarter) to the Wildcard Office by Friday, May 23.
- Make sure your current address is listed in CAESAR.
- Complete the Summer Quarter opt-in form by Friday, May 23.
You will choose to have your U-Pass card mailed to you or pick it up at The Graduate School's Evanston office in Rebecca Crown.
- Pick-up times are Monday – Friday from 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM and 2:00–5:00 PM. (The office is closed from 1:00–2:00 PM for lunch.)
- TGS will mail U-Passes the week of Monday, June 2 via USPS. Typically, the U-Pass arrives a few business days after mailing, but any returns may take up to 3 weeks to reach TGS. TGS is not responsible for any lost transit benefits in the case of a mailing delay.
- Once you receive your U-Pass, you will need to activate the card by following the instructions on the accompanying card sleeve.
- We will then activate your U-Pass for the Summer Quarter on Monday, June 23, and the U-Pass Transit Card Fee of $125 will be applied to your student account the week of August 18.
- If you opt in and do not receive your U-Pass in a timely manner, please email tgs-u-pass@northwestern.edu to inquire about the status of your request.
Note: Summer Quarter 2025 begins on Monday, June 23 and ends on Sunday, September 14.
Activation Deadlines
- To ensure your U-Pass is created and activated on Monday, June 23 (the start of the Summer Quarter), please complete the Summer Quarter opt-in form by Friday, May 23 (for new U-Pass holders) or by Tuesday, June 17 (for current U-Pass holders).
- If you already have a U-Pass and are unsure of your Summer Quarter plans, you may opt in any time before Sunday, August 3 but your U-Pass will not be active until the next business day after you complete the form.
- Once you choose to opt in and your U-Pass is activated, you will not be able to change your decision due to our contractual obligations with CTA/Ventra. In addition, per our contract, we will not be able to honor any new U-Pass activation requests for the Summer Quarter after Sunday, August 3.
U-Pass Eligibility
Students enrolled in the BS/MS program, TGS 512 (continuous registration), or TGS 514 are not eligible for a U-Pass.Questions?
Please email tgs-u-pass@northwestern.edu with any questions.
Categories: Around Campus, Other