Degree-seeking Harvard Chan students enrolled in courses for the Spring 2024 term receive a 50% subsidy when purchasing their MBTA public transportation pass from the Office for Student Affairs!
Students can choose passes that provide service from January – May 2024 or from February 2024 – May 2024.
Order forms and order deadlines for Spring 2024 are down below:
- The order deadline for January – May 2024 passes has passed.
- Order deadline for February 2024 – May 2024 passes has passed.
Payment deadlines for Spring 2024 are:
- January – May 2024 passes: March 22, 2024
- February – May 2024 passes: March 22, 2024
The MBTA (Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority) is Boston’s public transit system which is made up of the subway system (called the “T”), local trains (the commuter rail), and buses that service the metropolitan area. In collaboration with the MBTA, the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health offers eligible degree-seeking students during the academic year a 50% subsidized discount on their MBTA semester passes. Harvard Chan students can purchase a MBTA bus, link, or commuter rail pass by completing the order form above by the appropriate deadline. The cost of the MBTA Semester Pass will be charged to the student’s term bill after they have claimed their pass. Once the pass is available students will receive an email to pick up their pass. Please contact studentaffairs@hsph.harvard.edu with any questions.
The MBTA will change its services according to regular maintenance needs. Learn about current changes to MBTA services here.
Who can purchase an MBTA pass through Harvard Chan?
Students must meet the following conditions to purchase an MBTA pass through the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health:
- You must be currently enrolled in classes for the semester corresponding to your pass and receive your primary degree from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
PLEASE NOTE: If you are a PhD or MA Biostatistics (GSAS) student you MUST purchase your MBTA Semester Pass through GSAS (more information available HERE).
Policies
Please read the following carefully and adhere to these policies:
- All orders are non-refundable and non-transferable.
- You understand that this charge will be added to your Student Account, and you are prepared to pay this charge.
- The semester pass must only be used by currently enrolled, degree seeking Harvard Chan students. Students may not purchase passes for friends, family, alumni, or partners.
- Your commute to campus should be the main purpose behind your purchase of an MBTA Semester Pass.
- Your Semester Pass must be picked up before or during the first month that it is active. The Office for Student Affairs will not mail MBTA semester passes to students.
If a student is found to be in violation of the above policies, they will be billed for the subsidized cost of the pass that was paid by the School. This difference will be added to their Student Account.
Selecting Your Semester Pass
Spring 2024 Semester passes are available for the following service periods:
- January-May Pass, active January 1 – May 31, 2024 (must order by December 13th by 5 PM).
- February -May Pass, active February 1, 2024 – May 31, 2024 (must order by January 11th by 5 PM).
You should choose the service period that corresponds with your commuting needs.
Deciding on your MBTA Pass service needs:
Please note that students may purchase only one pass per semester to help with their commute to campus.
Pass Pricing and Paying for Your Semester Pass
Billing and Payments will be done through Student Accounts
Students will only be charged once for the semester for their semester pass. There are no monthly charges.
Payment deadlines for Spring 2024:
- January – May 2024 passes: February 23, 2024
- February – May 2024 passes: March 22, 2024
January-May prices reflecting the 50% Harvard Chan Discount (prices subject to update).
February-May prices reflecting the 50% Harvard Chan Discount (prices subject to update).
Picking Up Your Semester Pass
Students must pick up their pass from the Kresge G4 suite, open Monday-Friday 9AM-5PM.
You will receive detailed pick up instructions before the pass pick-up date.
- Bus and Link passes are valid for the full semester and only need to be picked up once.
- Commuter rail tickets are valid on a monthly basis, so a new ticket needs to be picked up each month, typically 1 – 2 business days before the start of the month.
- The Office for Student Affairs is unable to mail MBTA Semester Passes; you must pick up your pass in person. You will receive detailed pick up instructions before the pass pick-up date.
- We encourage you to pick up your pass as soon as possible so that you have it before its first day of service.
Passes not picked up within the first month of service are subject to penalty in accordance with the Pass Policies above.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How do I pay for my MBTA Semester Pass?
The cost of the MBTA Semester Pass will be charged to the student’s term bill. The payment due date are listed above under Important Dates. Please be sure that you understand the payment procedures, as unpaid charges can result in holds that affect important items like your ability to register for courses.
- MBTA Semester Pass charges are not covered by scholarships or grant aid.
- If you receive federal loans, please note that this funding can only be applied to your MBTA charge if you fill out the Title IV/Permission to Hold Form.
- Payments are handled by University Student Financial Services. Please review the University Student Financial Services FAQ to learn more about payment methods. If you have questions regarding payment procedures after reviewing their FAQ page, please contact them directly at student_billing@harvard.edu or 617-495-2739.
Which MBTA pass do you recommend?
The MBTA offers information about the commuter rail and a zone map along with a Trip Planner resource to help you determine the best route from your home to the Harvard Chan School. The most commonly purchased passes for Harvard Chan students are the Local Bus Pass (includes unlimited travel on local buses) and the Link Pass (includes unlimited travel on local buses and subway lines).
What is the difference between a Link Pass and a Zone 1A pass?
Both of these passes cost the same. However, the Link Pass offers unlimited travel on subway and local bus lines while the Zone 1A pass offers the same coverage as the Link Pass (unlimited subway and local bus) with the addition of Zone 1A commuter rail stops. To learn which stops are included in the Zone 1A pass please visit the MBTA website.
The Link Pass is picked up once, lasts for the semester and can be replaced when lost. The Zone 1A Pass must be picked up monthly towards the end of each month (i.e. February’s pass will be picked up at the end of January) and cannot be replaced if lost (students must wait for the following month’s pass to arrive).
What happens if I lose my pass?
Only Bus and Link passes can be replaced by the MBTA. If you lose your Bus or Link pass email studentaffairs@hsph.harvard.edu and they will deactivate your lost pass and order you a replacement one. This can take a week or more.
Do you offer a discounted MBTA pass for the summer?
No, the MBTA administers the semester pass program and only provides semester passes for the fall and spring. The summer months are not part of the program.
Can I order an MBTA Semester Pass or change my current MBTA Semester Pass order after the order deadline?
No, deadlines are set by the MBTA so they are not flexible. Orders placed or changed after the order deadline cannot be completed. You can instead purchase a CharlieCard which you can add funds to at any underground stop or at the 7-Eleven on Huntington Avenue.