Opt-In and Opt-Out

Opt-Out
Opt-In

Opt-Out

Students MUST submit an opt-out request by the following dates in order to be eligible to receive a fee refund of 100% of the U-Pass fee.

Fall Term – September 14th
Winter Term – January 14th
Summer Term – May 14th

Opt-outs that are received and are approved after these dates will receive a pro-rated refund based on the date of submission. Students with an approved opt-out will no longer be required to return their card, as their U-Pass will be automatically deactivated upon approval and pro-rated fee refunded to their student account.

Opt out applications must be submitted for every pass period if you are eligible to do so. Please visit important dates and cost information for more details.

The following are the ONLY criteria under which an eligible student may opt out of the U-Pass program. If you have any questions on the opt-out process, please contact upass@carleton.ca.

Opt-out applications are reviewed within ten business days of being received.

Reside outside of the OC Transpo Service Area.

Please review the OC Transpo Service Area Map (PDF) to confirm that you live outside the service area. The service area includes the Urban transit Area and the Rural Transit Area A. You will then need to fill out an opt-out application in the “Student Online Applications” section of Carleton Central and provide the following supporting documents:

A utility bill (such as hydro, cable, or phone) that has been issued within the past two months (and matches the address on your license); and
- The utility does not need to be addressed to the applicant.
A drivers’s license (which matches the address on the utility bill) or a tenancy agreement form (PDF) relating to leased premises located outside of the OC Transpo Service Area.
- A tenancy agreement will only be accepted when there is a reasonable expectation that government issued identification cannot be provided.

Please note: The opt-out option is not available to students living in the STO service area as the U-Pass can be used on both sides of the river and will allow transportation to and from the region. Please review the STO Service Area Map.

Winter 2025 Parking Update: There will be approximately 500 winter parking permits available for the winter 2025 term. Priority will be given to those students with winter U-Pass opt-out granted for residing outside of the transit service area. Students with an approved winter U-Pass opt-out will have until 5 p.m. Friday, November 29 to forward their U-Pass opt-out confirmation email to parking@carleton.ca. Once confirmed, you will be offered a winter parking permit.

Participating in a Co-op work term or experiential learning term for at least one term.

Complete an opt-out application in the “Student Online Applications” section of Carleton Central.

Students must be registered in the co-op work term course or an experiential learning course as a full-time student for the full term. Course registration will be reviewed.
Examples of an experiential learning course eligible for a U-Pass opt-out include practicums, internships and field work where the student is solely registered in the course as the primary focus of the term.

Participate in an exchange or study abroad.

The International Student Services Office (ISSO) has already arranged U-Pass opt-outs for the students who have arranged exchanges through their office. Opt-outs will be processed in mid-August and students will receive a confirmation email from the ISSO once processed. Students will not be required to return thier U-Pass as thier card will be automatically deactivated.

If you are going on an outgoing exchange that is not arranged through the International Student Services Office (ISSO), you will need to fill out an opt-out application in the “Student Online Applications” section of Carleton Central and provide the following supporting documents:

A letter from the department that is sponsoring your exchange. The letter must state the period of time you are on exchange and the location.

Study exclusively as an online student.: Complete an opt-out application in the “Student Online Applications” section of Carleton Central and your registration will be reviewed for the semester you are applying for. Please note, all courses and course component such as labs and tutorials must be delivered online for your application to be successful under this criteria.

Participate in an internship or conduct research outside of Ottawa for more than 60 days per term.

Complete an opt-out application in the “Student Online Applications” section of Carleton Central and provide the following supporting documents:

A signed letter from the authorized supervisor who oversees the internship or research. The letter should provide the period of time you will be completing the internship or research and the location.

Already hold a U-Pass as issued from another post-secondary institution in Ottawa.: Complete an opt-out application in the “Student Online Applications” section of Carleton Central and provide proof of your other U-Pass. You can submit a scanned copy of your other U-Pass and upload it to Carleton Central, along with your opt-out application.

Are registered with the Canadian National Institute for the Blind.: Complete out an opt-out application in the “Student Online Applications” section of Carleton Central and provide your CNIB pass number on the opt-out application form. The opt-out application form and supporting documents can be uploaded on Carleton Central.

Are registered with Para Transpo but reside in the Rural Transit Area – Area A.

Please review the OC Transpo Service Area Map (PDF) to confirm that you live outside the Service Area.

You will then need to fill out an opt-out application in the “Student Online Applications” section of Carleton Central and provide the following supporting documents:

Proof of being a Para Transpo Registrant; and
Proof of residency within the Rural Transit Area A. Proof of residency may be a utility, cable or phone bill that has your name on it. The address on the documentation must be located within Rural Transit Area A.

Students with disabilities who are registered with the Paul Menton Centre (PMC).: If you are unable to take public transit due to functional impairments related to your disability, please contact your PMC coordinator to discuss support for an opt-out. Opt-out requests for students registered with the Paul Menton Centre will be considered on a case by case basis. Your request must be made through Carleton Central and supported by your PMC Coordinator, who will confirm if your application should be processed. Please note that OC Transpo has the final decision on whether you can be exempted from the service.

Opt-In

Fees are added to your Student Account immediately when an opt in is approved. Please visit important dates and cost information for more details.

The following are the ONLY criteria under which an ineligible student may opt-in to the U-Pass program. If you have any questions on the opt-in process, please contact upass@carleton.ca.

Students Registered with the Paul Menton Centre (PMC)

Students who cannot register in more than one credit due to a disability may opt-in to the U-Pass.

Contact the Paul Menton Centre (PMC). Your advisor will work with you to make an opt-in request submission that will be directed to the Student Experience Office.
The Student Experience Office will work with OC Transpo to review each request on a case-by-case basis. Please note that OC Transpo has the final decision on all opt-in requests.
If approved, the Student Experience Office will opt you into the program and will email you via your Carleton email.

Students Registered at Multiple Post-Secondary Institutions in Ottawa

Students who are also registered at another post-secondary institution in Ottawa, and whose courses at both institutions combine to meet the eligibility requirement may opt-in to the U-Pass.

Contact the Student Experience Office via your Carleton email. You must provide your course time table from the other institutions.
The Student Experience Office will work to review each request on a case-by-case basis. If approved, the Student Experience Office will opt you into the program and will email you via your Carleton email. Once you receive an email, you may pick up your card immediately or renew your current card after 24 hours.

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