Frequently Asked Questions

In 2010, student associations at both Carleton University and the University of Ottawa jointly negotiated with the City of Ottawa to implement a Universal Transit Pass for full-time students at both universities.  The result of the negotiations and the subsequent student referenda is the U-Pass: A bus pass offered through Carleton University at a discounted rate.

The pass will cost $404.92 + $4.26 non-refundable processing fee for the eight-month school year and is a mandatory cost for all students enrolled in 1.5 credits or more per term. The pass is valid on all OC Transpo vehicles providing regular, express, rural express or Para Transpo services, as well as the O-Train. Only Para Transpo service to rural zones requires a supplemental fare. The U-Pass will be effective from September 1, 2017 to April 30, 2018.

Beginning in summer 2016, a summer U-Pass is available. It is a mandatory cost for all students enrolled in 1.0 credits or more per term.  Graduate students who are designated as “full-time” are also eligible for the U-Pass. The summer U-Pass costs $202.46 (plus a $4.26 administrative fee) and is valid for the four-month summer term. Find out more on the Summer U-Pass.

Undergraduate students who are enrolled in 1.5 or more credits in the fall and winter terms receive a U-Pass as well as graduate students registered as “full time”. During the summer term, undergraduate students who are enrolled in 1.0 credits or more receive a U-Pass. Full-time graduate students also receive a U-Pass.

Students who are enrolled in one term with 1.5 or more credits also receive a U-Pass. Fall term only students can return their U-Pass at the end of the term, while winter term only students can pick up their U-Pass from the Campus Card office at the start of the term.

In the fall or winter term, students who enroll in at least 1.5 credits in either term will receive a U-Pass. Students who cannot enroll in 1.5 credits or more due to a disability can view the opt-in process.

During the summer term, students who enroll in at least 1.0 credits will receive a U-Pass. Students who are enrolled in 1.0 credits in the early summer session cannot return the U-Pass or opt-out for the late summer session. Find out more on the Summer U-Pass.

If at any time a student changes to being part-time classes or withdraws, they must return the U-Pass to the Campus Card Office. Students will receive a pro-rated refund based on the length of time the U-Pass was in their possession.

Fall term only

There is only one U-Pass card for September to April, and so students will be charged $404.92 if they are a full-time student during the Fall term. If the student withdraws from courses or does not take courses in the Winter term, they must return their U-Pass to the Campus Card Office by January 14th to receive a full refund for the Winter term portion of the U-Pass. After this date, the refund will be pro-rated.

Winter term only

Students can pick up your U-Pass for the Winter term at the Campus Card Office (407 University Centre) at the start of Winter term. The fee of $202.46 will be added to their student fees after registration for the Winter term.

Students can pick up their U-Passes at the Campus Card Office (407 University Centre). U-Passes for the upcoming academic year will be available to be picked up from the Campus Card Office starting July 18^th, 2017

In order to pick up their U-Pass, students must bring either their Campus Card or a piece of government-issued photo ID.

The U-Pass fee will be automatically added to the student fee portion of tuition when students register for courses.  The fee will appear on their student account and can be paid at the same time that they pay their tuition.

Students are able to claim the federal tax credit for public transportation in each of the two tax years. Any student charged the U-Pass fee will be able to download a receipt from Carleton Central by February 2018 for the 2017 tax year.

Students who become ineligible for the U-Pass after having picked it up must return their card to the Campus Card Office (407 UC) in order to receive a pro-rated refund.  Please see the pro-rated fee table to understand how the date of return will affect your refund.  Once it’s been returned, please check your student account after two business days to verify the card was received.

If you lose your U-Pass, you can obtain a replacement U-Pass at the Campus Card Office. The replacement fee for the first U-Pass is $25. There will be no other subsequent charge for the replacement of the U-Pass.

Based on the CUSA and GSA referenda, the U-Pass is a mandatory program. All students enrolled in a minimum of 1.5 credits, and graduate students who are designed as full-time by the Faculty of Graduate and Post-Doctoral Studies, must participate.  Some exceptions do apply and some students are eligible to opt-out of the U-Pass.

Yes. There are many reasons why a student may opt-out of the U-Pass, and detailed information on the opt-out process can be found here.

Refunds or fee adjustments will be applied to any outstanding balance remaining on your student account. If you paid all your fees and have no outstanding balance, you will receive a cheque that will be sent to your current mailing address. Please ensure that your current mailing address is up-to-date in your Carleton Central account. If you are a Graduate student who receives funding, your fee adjustment will go directly back into your funding amount.

To receive a full refund, students must  opt-out before the required deadlines. Students who opt-out after the deadline or students who use their U-Pass will receive a pro-rated refund for the amount of time they had the U-Pass. The pro-rated refund schedule can be found here.

Should you have any questions or concerns about how you will be reimbursed your U-Pass fee, please contact Student Accounts directly at student_accounts@carleton.ca or 613-520-3626.

Find out more on the U-Pass and incoming student exchange.

If you are an outgoing exchange student and you do not want to use your U-Pass before you leave, please do not pick up your U-Pass.

If you are an outgoing exchange student and you want to use your U-Pass until you leave, please keep in mind that you must return it to the Campus Card Office (407 Unicentre) before September 14th (fall term), January 14 (winter term), or May 14 (summer term). The U-Pass can be returned either in-person or by mail.

Outgoing exchanges processed through the ISSO department are automatically opted out and thus do not need to complete an opt out application form.

Find out more on the U-Pass and outgoing student exchange.