No. The U-Pass is only available for full-time students. You can only be part of the U-Pass program as a part-time student if you are registered with Academic Accommodations or if you are part-time and in another participating post-secondary institution. Consult the Opt-in webpage.  If you do not meet any of the opt-in criteria, please consult the OC Transpo or STO website to learn more about the transit services offered. Some students who utilize OC Transpo services could be eligible for the EquiPass program.

We understand, the U-Pass can be expensive and seen as an unnecessary cost for some students. Unfortunately, the program is mandatory for all full-time students and CO-OP students.  The U-Pass came into effect through successful student referendums and, like many other student benefits, the program was permanently implemented and voted on by previous uOttawa students.   

Although the program is mandatory, there are some exemptions. We cannot exempt you from the U-Pass program because you walk, cycle, or drive to campus or simply don’t agree with the program. We can only recommend that you make the best use of the program given that it is mandatory and no, there are no methods to appeal this decision unless all students decide to no longer have the program through an organized student referendum.

No, but we recommend you verify your statement of account to verify if you were charged the U-Pass fees. If your faculty has listed ALL your courses as being virtual, you will not be automatically charged the U-Pass fees.   

Note: Students completing a CO-OP work term will automatically be charged the U-Pass fees as they are part of the mandatory U-Pass program.

If you are a full-time student and have not been charged the U-Pass fees, but you live in the area and still want to have the U-Pass, consult the opt-in criteria as you may be eligible to opt-in.  

No, once the last day to withdraw from a course or a learning activity and receive a financial credit has passed, you can no longer be exempted from the U-Pass.

If you happen to register late for your classes or if you are accepted into a class later in the term, your account will be charged the FULL U-Pass amount as soon as you meet the eligibility criteria. As soon as your account is charged, you can get your student card if you have never received one. If you already have a student card, you can start using it as your U-PASS. Login to your U-Pass portal and consult “My Dashboard”. We highly encourage students to register early to benefit fully from the U-Pass. 

Please make sure you are eligible by logging into the U-Pass portal. You can also check your statement of account to see if you are charged the U-Pass fees.  If you are eligible, you can also visit the uOttawa Card Service and we will verify your card and account.  If your card only failed at one location, simply email us the date and location your card did not work and we will verify with the City.

If you’re a full-time incoming exchange student, you should be automatically charged for the U-Pass. If you are not, then you may be eligible to opt-in to the program.

Please note that if you are a sponsored student, the U-Pass fees will be added onto your statement of account and it is your responsibility to pay that fee, as it will not be covered by your sponsor. 

Please note, since the 2024 Fall term, the blue U-Pass card  is no longer used for the U-Pass. Your student card will now be your U-Pass. Please consult this webpage for changes made to the U-Pass program.

Choosing to drive a personal vehicle, walk or cycle to campus will not qualify you to opt-out of the program. We suggest you consider using Park and Ride services to save on gas and parking costs when travelling to campus and to use your U-Pass as much as you can.  

We get it, you don’t want the U-Pass, and it may be expensive for you. Unfortunately, the program is mandatory, and you cannot be exempted without meeting one of the exemption criteria.  There are no exceptions. 

If you dropped all your courses prior to the last day to withdraw from a course or a learning activity, your U-Pass fees will be removed and you will no longer have access to the U-Pass.  If you withdraw after the last day to withdraw, the fees will remain on your student account and the U-Pass will continue to be available to you. 

If you’re taking courses full time or completing a co-op placement this summer, you can use your U-Pass.

Otherwise, learn about the EquiPass, OC Transpo’s reduced fare pass.