Ventra U-Pass

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.

Campus Card Office Hours

Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

If you have any questions regarding your U-Pass, please contact Columbia Central at columbiacentral@colum.edu. 

Spring 2026 Ventra U-Pass Information

Your U-Pass will be active from January 21 through May 20, 2026

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 Spring 2026 U-Pass Opt-Out-form agreement.

Beginning January 2026, you will receive an email from Columbia Central with the subject line “Spring U-Pass Opt-Out” that contains instructions on how to complete Spring 2026 U-Pass Opt-Out Agreement.. If you do NOT want to participate in the U-Pass program for the Spring 2026 semester, please complete the Spring 2026 U-Pass Opt-out agreement by 5:00 p.m. CST on Friday, February 13, 2026. Forms submitted after this deadline will not be honored.

You should only complete the Spring 2026 U-Pass Opt-Out agreement if you are certain that you do not want to participate in the U-Pass program for the spring 2026 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.

Instructions to Opt-Out of the Spring 2026 U-Pass program:

 

 

Things to Keep in Mind

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.

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 糖心Vlog.

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 糖心Vlog 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.

Important Dates for Ventra U-Pass

Fall 2025:

Activated on August 27, 2025 Deactivated on December 18, 2025

Spring 2026:

Activated on January 21, 2026 Deactivated on May 20, 2026

Summer 2026:

Activated on May 20, 2026 Deactivated on August 20, 2026

 

  • Adding Funds to Your Ventra U-Pass

    You can still use your Ventra U-Pass when school is not in session, or you are not enrolled for a minimum of 6 credits or a graduate thesis course. Simply add full-fare passes or transit value to your Ventra U-Pass and use the card like a reloadable Ventra card.

    To check your balance, visit the .

  • Replacing Your U-Pass

    If you have questions or concerns regarding your U-Pass, please contact us at columbiacentral@colum.edu.

    The fee to replace a lost or stolen Ventra U-Pass is $50. You may  or bring in a cashier's check or money order to the Columbia Central office. If you lose your card more than once, Ventra may revoke your U-Pass privileges. For more information, visit the .

    When tapping your card on the card reader, be sure it is separate from all other debit, credit, or bank cards. CTA card readers allow for the use of smart cards and can read and pull money from any smart card. It is important that the reader is only reading your Ventra U-Pass.

    If your card does not work after it has been activated, take it to the Ventra Customer Service Office at 567 W. Lake St. in Chicago. Ventra will determine if the card is damaged or defective and, if so, will issue you a Defective Card form and a temporary pass, and waive the $50 replacement fee. To request a new Ventra U-Pass, you must bring the Defective Card form to the Campus Card Office and allow a minimum of 7-10 business days for delivery.

    Visit the  for more information.

  • Fixing a Negative Balance

    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 have a negative balance on your card and your U-Pass fare will not be activated until the negative balance is resolved with Ventra. You can , or call Ventra at 877-669-8368.

Academic Dates and Deadlines