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Opting in

Some students may be eligible to opt into the UPass program, under specific criteria. Make sure to review carefully and submit any documentation.

Who is it for and how does it work?

Full-time students—those taking at least 9 credit hours during a semester—enjoy the benefits of UPass automatically.

The UPass fee is added to their student account along with their other fees and no additional action is needed. 

UPass assessed terms

  • Fall/Winter term: September to April

  • Winter term only: January to April

  • Summer term: May to August (for those completing at least 9 credit hours at any time within these summer months) 

Eligibility for opting into the Fall/Winter or Winter-only UPass program

Some programs, which are not auto-assessed by Student Accounts, have the opportunity to opt in to the UPass program as per the criteria below:

  • Completing a co-op, clinical, internship or work placement required for your program in the Halifax region, documents required:
    • Programs using myCareer: show your approved placement on your phone at the DalCard Office or bring a printed copy of your myCareer record showing your approved placement.
    • Programs not using myCareer: bring a letter from your department confirming the dates and location of your placement.
  • Have a permanent disability and your registration is considered full-time by Dalhousie, documents required:
    • An email from your Advising and Access Services advisor, sent to upass@dal.ca.
  • Registered as a Post-Graduate Medical Education (PGME). Please advise the DalCard staff that you are a PGME resident when you come to pick up your UPass.

Eligibility for opting into the Summer UPass program

Summer UPass program opt-in eligibility includes any of the Fall/Winter criteria listed above, as well as the additional programs and courses below.

Full-time programs for the winter semester extending past April 30, eligible programs:
 
  • Diploma in Dental Hygiene

  • DDS Qualifying Program

  • Doctor of Dental Surgery Program

  • Doctor of Medicine

  • Diagnostic Medical Ultrasound

  • Nuclear Medicine Technology

  • Radiological Technology

  • Respiratory Therapy

  • Master of Science – Speech Pathology

  • Bachelor of Science (Pharmacy)

  • Doctor of Pharmacy (Years 1-4)

  • Law – Graduate Students

  • Public Administration – Management - Internships

  • Master of Social Work (registered in any of  SLWK 5005/5006 and 6416/6417 and having been registered in the preceding winter semester for spring/summer term 2026 only)

How to opt in

  • Provide any necessary documentation to upass@dal.ca.
  • Pick up your UPass sticker at the DalCard office in person at 6230 Coburg Road. The fee will be added to your student account. 

Need more info on costs and deadlines?

Find current fees, pick-up dates, and deadlines on the UPass homepage.

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