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Exemption Request
THE 2025 SPRING U-PASS BC EXEMPTION REQUEST APPLICATION WILL BE AVAILABLE ON NOVEMBER 25, 2024 AT 9:00AM (PT).
EXEMPTION AVAILABILITY & DEADLINE DATES
| Term | Application opens | Application deadline |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 Fall | July 29, 2024, 9 am PT | September 10, 2024, 4:30 pm PT |
| 2025 Spring | November 25, 2024, 9 am PT | January 10, 2025, 4:30 pm PT |
| 2025 Summer | March 24, 2025, 9 am PT | May 16, 2025, 4:30 pm PT |
Please note that an approved U-Pass BC exemption is only valid for one term. You need to submit an exemption application every term.
EXEMPTION CATEGORIES
Please review the categories before applying. Applications are reviewed on a term-by-term basis and the requirements must be met for exemption status. Even if you have been approved in the past, you may no longer meet the requirements to be exempted. Same as in previous terms, transit use decisions are not considered as eligible exemption criteria.
Consideration for an exemption from U-Pass BC Program will only be given to students who meet the requirements for the eligible exemption categories and provide the required supporting documentation in English. Submissions with incomplete documentation will be denied.
ELIGIBLE EXEMPTION CATEGORIES
I have a documented physical or psychological condition that prevents me from using public transit and I am registered with SFU's Centre for Accessible Learning (CAL).
Required supporting document:
- A signed letter on letterhead from SFU's Centre for Accessible Learning which verifies your condition and makes an exemption recommendation. *Do NOT forward any medical information to the SFU U-Pass BC Office. Please note that you may be required to complete the CAL U-Pass BC Medical Exemption Request Form.
I have a valid, non-transferable TransLink employee, government, or disability Compass Card (includes CNIB cards).
Required supporting document:
- A photocopy of BOTH sides of your valid, non-transferable Compass Card.
I have a valid, non-transferable U-Pass BC from another post-secondary institution loaded onto my Compass Card.
Required supporting document:
- A photocopy of BOTH sides of your valid, non-transferable Compass Card linked to your other post-secondary institution.
- A photocopy of your valid student ID card from your other post-secondary institution.
I live outside Metro Vancouver and I am registered in courses being taught remotely. (To see a list of cities located within Metro Vancouver, refer to our U-Pass BC FAQ page.)
Required supporting documents:
- Official proof of your current address within the last four months (for example, a bill for rent, cell phone statement, hydro, or bank statement in your name). Please be sure to blackout information that is not required for the exemption application. Please note that documents not including your name and date will not be accepted.
- Your class schedule for the exemption application term from your goSFU. If your course location and time are not provided on your goSFU, please provide a copy of your course syllabus that lists course location and meeting times or a letter from your department verifying your course location and meeting times.
I have a requirement for access to a vehicle for a dependent's medical reason.
Required supporting document:
- A signed letter from a medical practitioner verifying the medical condition of your dependent and your relationship to the dependent. This letter must indicate the need to have access to a vehicle at all times due to your dependent's medical condition. *Do NOT forward details of the medical condition.
I live in Metro Vancouver and my one-way transit travel time is more than 2 hours between home and my course(s).**
**Your transit travel time must be more than two hours from your home to course location(s) or vice versa. We cannot consider limited travel time due to other commitments as a reason to be exempted. It is the student’s responsibility to take all their schedules and commitments into consideration when enrolling in courses.
Required supporting documents:
- Official proof of your current address within the last four months (for example, a bill for rent, bank statement, phone, or hydro in your name). Please be sure to blackout information that is not required for the exemption application. Documents without your full name and date will not be accepted.
- Your class schedule for the exemption application term from your goSFU. If your course location and time are not provided on your goSFU, please provide a copy of your course syllabus that lists course location and meeting times or a letter from your department verifying your course location and meeting times.
- Provide a detailed copy of your transit trip time directions from your home to your course(s) based on the dates and times of your course as well as from your course(s) to home. We recommend using Google maps to review transit options as it provides the shortest and simplest routes and allows you to exclude specific methods of travel (e.g., West Coast Express). Google Maps also provides detailed walking times, which may be considered.
REASONS NOT CONSIDERED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO:
- I do not use transit services.
- I have access to a vehicle.
- I live in Metro Vancouver and I'm enrolled in remote and/or distance education courses. Please note: Some courses do not have scheduled classes (e.g., graduate thesis, directed studies, honour’s research projects, co-op, and practicum) and are designated as on-campus courses or within Metro Vancouver.
IMPORTANT NOTICES:
Once you have successfully submitted your U-Pass BC exemption application, you will immediately receive a confirmation email sent to your SFU email. If you have not received a confirmation email from upass@sfu.ca, then your application was not submitted to the U-Pass BC office and you will need to complete the U-Pass BC exemption request again.
Due to high volume of requests, there is a 4-6 week processing period for U-Pass BC exemption requests. All communication and notifications will be sent to your SFU email address.