UIC is served by the CTA Blue Line and several CTA bus lines. Please go to the Directions to Campus web page and scroll down to the “Mass Transit” section for information about using CTA to get to campus. You can also find links to PACE and Metra there. If you plan to use the CTA, see the information about the CTA U-PASS below.

CTA U-PASS

The U-PASS provides eligible students unlimited travel on all CTA buses and trains at a discounted rate during the summer session. The U-PASS works like a CTA fare card. You insert it into the fare machines at CTA train stations and on CTA buses.

Who Is Eligible
All full-time undergraduate students (this includes full-time Summer Session Only students) are eligible to receive a U-PASS. Undergraduate students registered for six or more credit hours over the summer are considered full-time, regardless whether they are all in the 8-week session or from a combination of courses in the 4- and 8-week sessions.

Full-time graduate students from the Graduate College, College of Dentistry, College of Pharmacy, School of Public Health, Doctorate of Physical Therapy Program, and M1/M2 students in the College of Medicine are also eligible for the U-PASS. Students from the Graduate College are considered full-time if they register for five or more hours over the summer. Students in the Executive MBA program and other special programs that do not charge service fees are not eligible for the U-PASS program.

The U-PASS is not available for part-time students.

If you make changes to your schedule that result in you no longer being a full-time student, your U-PASS will no longer be valid. After the add / drop period each semester, the campus sends an updated list of eligible students to the CTA. If you have fallen below full-time status during the add / drop period, your name will not be on this list, and CTA will deactivate your U-PASS. The U-PASS fee assessment will be credited to your account.

After the add / drop period each semester, there are no refunds given for tuition and fees, including the U-PASS fee. If you drop or withdraw from a course and fall below full-time status after the add / drop period, you will still be responsible for the U-PASS fee, and your U-PASS will NOT be deactivated.

The U-Pass Fee
All eligible students will be assessed the non-refundable U-PASS fee of $52. Only students with documented disabilities that affect their ability to use CTA service can petition for a waiver of the U-PASS fee. These requests will be reviewed on a case by case basis. For more information, contact the Office of Disability Services at (312) 413-2183 (Voice) or at (312) 413-0123 (TTY).

How It Works
The U-PASS works like a CTA fare card. You insert it into the fare machines at CTA train stations and on CTA buses. The dates the 2008 summer U-PASS is valid will be the same for everyone who has one, and those dates will be June 2 - August 8.

Please be aware that this means that any full time student who is enrolled in the 4-week session will not have a U-PASS for the first 2 of those 4 weeks. Due to fact that this is the first year for the newly expanded summer session at UIC, the coverage could not be extended for the full 12 weeks. However, this will be resolved for next summer.

If you are one of those students who are enrolled in both the 4- and 8-week session, we recommend that you assess how much commuting you plan to do before June 1 and purchase a CTA Transit Pass that fits what you need. You can purchase one online on the CTA Website. You can also purchase CTA Transit Passes at the Student Information Center on campus. It is located on the first floor, just inside the east entrance of Student Center East, 750 S. Halsted (at Polk Street). The Student Information Center office hours are M – F, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Their phone number is 312-413-5100.

U-Pass Distribution
The CTA U-PASS will be distributed to eligible students on the following days: June 2 – 4 and June 16 – 20, from 8:30 am – 5:00 pm each day. On these days, the U-PASSes will be distributed on the south second floor of the Student Services Building (SSB) at 1200 W. Harrison (at Harrison and Racine) You will need to bring your i-card (UIC photo id) so that your eligibility can be verified. For more detailed information about the U-PASS and is distribution, visit the U-PASS website.