U-Pass Video for New and Returning Students
- 0:53 – U-Pass fees
- 1:26 – Usage fees
- 1:37 – New students: U-Pass general info
- 2:21 - New students: Before getting the U-Pass
- 3:17 - New students: Getting the U-Pass
- 5:47 - Returning students
- 7:35 - Getting the U-Pass after class starts
- 9:35 - Replacement U-Pass
- 11:16 - More information
Quick Links
What is the U-Pass?
The Ventra U-Pass provides unlimited rides for eligible DePaul students on CTA buses and trains during the Autumn, Winter, Spring, and Summer Quarters. The U-Pass is not available during the Winter Intersession.
U-Pass Eligibility Winter 2026
All new and returning students must complete the U-Pass opt-in form to activate their U-Pass for the term. Students must complete this form before each term. To ensure that the U-Pass fee is covered by Financial Aid please complete the opt-in form before December 19th. The last day that students can opt-in for the winter term is January 30, 2026. The U-Pass fee for Graduate and Undergraduate students is $108 per term and $89 for the summer term. The U-Pass fee for LAW students is $171 per term and $77 for the summer term.
Key Details:
- Eligibility: Students enrolled in at least 4 credit hours are eligible to receive a U-Pass. This change now expands access to part-time students.
- How to Enroll: All students—both new and returning—must complete the U-Pass opt-in form each term they wish to participate in the program.
- Enrollment Requirement: Students who are not enrolled in a minimum of 4 credit hours by the last day to drop classes for the term will have their U-Pass deactivated and the fee will be refunded to their student account.
- To ensure that the U-Pass fee is covered by Financial Aid, please be sure to complete the opt-in form prior to September 3rd.
- The last day to complete the opt-in form for the fall term is January 30, 2026.
- If you have questions about the U-Pass please contact upass@depaul.edu
This updated process simplifies U-Pass distribution, eliminates unnecessary charges, and increases accessibility for more students.
U-Pass Availability Dates for Fall Term
| Student Classification |
Start Date |
End Date |
| LAW |
January 19, 2026 |
May 21, 2026 |
| Undergrad and Graduate |
January 2,2026 |
March 27, 2026 |
|
Only students completing the Opt-In form will be enrolled in the U-Pass and charged the associated fee. Your U-Pass will be adjusted accordingly if your enrollment changes prior to the last day to drop courses. Students must have a DePaul-issued ID card before they can receive a U-Pass. You can find information on how to receive your DePaul ID Card by going here.
*It can take 3-10 business days for changes in eligibility to be reflected in the Ventra U-Pass system as it is not possible to directly link to the DePaul course enrollment system.
How to get your U-Pass:
- At the start of the Fall term you can pick up your U-Pass during U-Pass Distribution. More information can be found here.
- If you have missed Fall U-Pass Distribution or it is a term other than the fall, you can pick up their U-Pass at the Blue Demon Card Office where their major is located.
- Existing students will use the same card each term they are at DePaul. If you have lost your U-Pass you will need to purchase a replacement card.
- If you cannot come to campus, your U-Pass can be mailed to you by completing the U-Pass Mailing Form. Note: Your U-Pass can only be sent to the mailing address listed in Campus Connect. U-Pass mailing will be unavailable from December 12th through January 16th.
Request for replacement U-Pass:
You can purchase a replacement U-Pass by adding $50.00 to your Blue Demon Express Account.
You can add funds to your account in several ways:
Instructions for Loading $50 to your Demon Express through eAccounts app
- Log into the eAccounts app on your phone.
- Click on Demon Express
- Tap “Add Money” and type “50”.
- Choose any preferred method: Apple Pay/Google Wallet or Credit/Debit card to complete the transaction.
- After a successful transaction, the app will show USD $50.00 for Demon Express.
You can also do the following:
- Log in to Campus Connect and click the Student Resources tile. On the left menu, click Optional Transactions and Demon Express Online, where you can add funds and also check your balance.
- Visit the Payment Center at the Lincoln Park Campus in SAC 101 or at the Loop Campus in DePaul Center 9100.
- Call the Payment Center at 773-325-4029.
Fees
DePaul students who complete the OPT-IN form will see a U-Pass Fee on their tuition account. Students who complete the OPT-IN form are responsible for this fee regardless of benefit use or card pick-up. Students that are not enrolled in a minimum of four credit hours by the last date to Drop Classes will have their cards deactivated and the U-Pass fee will be credited to their student account. Fee administration and removal is an automated process based on registration. The Ventra U-Pass is based on a CTA daily rate plus DePaul's administrative fee. Click Here for more details on the U-Pass Fee.
Additional U-Pass Fare Information:
- The fee is calculated using the CTA's daily rate plus DePaul's administrative fee and may vary from year to year depending on the number of available CTA service days.
- While the university administers the program, the daily rate fees collected from students are passed through to the CTA. DePaul does not profit financially from U-Pass.
- Under the current U-Pass, students have unlimited rides on CTA trains and buses, 24/7 during each academic term.
- Any student who will use the U-Pass for at least two round trip rides per week saves money.
Please be sure to contact upass@depaul.edu or the Blue Demon Card offices if you place money into Demon Express for a replacement U-Pass.