Program Description
As a registered charity, Columbia College is continually seeking new ways to support international students and support their access to higher education. While the College cannot support the full cost of transit passes for all students throughout their studies, this program is intended to partially offset the cost of a monthly Compass Pass and provide stored value for students to access public transit in Metro Vancouver.
The aCCess Program will provide College students with $104.90 (equivalent value to a 1 month pass) once every semester as stored value credit in Compass Cards issued by TransLink. This value can be applied towards a Monthly Pass or used to pay for transit in Metro Vancouver. All students aged 19 and above are eligible to have the aCCess benefit added to their existing Compass Card. This program is for Adult Compass Cards (for ages 19 and above).
Eligibility
- Students who are eligible for a Concession Compass Card (ages 13-18) are not eligible for the program.
- Students must be enrolled in at least one course at the College.
- Each student is only eligible to receive the benefit once per semester while they study at Columbia College.
Procedures
New Students
Eligible new Students can obtain the aCCess Benefit beginning at orientation (in-person) in their first semester. The deadline to sign-up to receive the aCCess Benefit is on the 11th of the first month of the semester.
Continuing Students
- Eligible continuing students must provide their Compass Card number to the College no later than the 11th of the first month of the semester.
- Fill out the aCCess Benefit Sign-up form to enroll.
- Make sure to submit accurate information to ensure successful enrollment.
Continuing Students who turn 19 during the semester
- Students using Concession Cards can make a request to enroll in the aCCess Benefit once they turn 19.
- Fill out the aCCess Benefit Sign-up form when you turn 19 to enroll. Make sure to submit accurate information to ensure successful enrollment.
- Please email [email protected] to confirm the date you will receive the aCCess Benefit in your compass card.
Note:
- After the deadline, Compass Card numbers will be provided to TransLink to have the aCCess Benefit value added onto each Card for the coming month.
- Students who lose or purchase a new Compass Card must notify the College at their earliest convenience to avoid getting the benefit transferred to the wrong Card. Fill out Update your aCCess Benefit Information Form to make changes to your information within the deadline.
- If a student misses the deadline, the student must wait until the next semester to request to have the value added. Approval will be subject to available funding. The College will not provide retroactive Benefits for the missed semester.
Disclaimer
This program is an added discretionary benefit to College students and is only available subject to available funding. The College may terminate the program at any time, and may review, update or change these guidelines at any time at its sole discretion. Students benefitting from the program agree to abide by the Compass Card Terms and Conditions of Use provided by Translink.
If you miss the deadline to enroll for the benefit (before the 11th of the first month of the semester), you will not receive the benefit allocation for that semester. It’s recommended to make changes before the deadline to ensure you receive the intended benefits on time.
The College will not be liable for incorrect Compass Card numbers provided to TransLink for program participation, or for any failure to provide the Card or loaded value to College students for any reason whatsoever.
aCCess Benefit Program FAQ
The Columbia College Access Benefit Program is designed to provide students aged 19 and above with a semesterly transit benefit. Students enrolled in this program will receive $104.90 once every semester as stored value credit loaded onto their Compass Card, which can be used for travel on transit in Metro Vancouver. This credit can also be converted into a monthly pass by calling Compass Customer Service at (604) 398-2042 (Monday to Sunday, 6:30am to 11:30pm).
All students aged 19 and above, who are enrolled in at least one or more courses at Columbia College are eligible for the Columbia College aCCess Benefit Program.
To enroll in the aCCess Benefit Program, you need to fill out the aCCess Benefit Sign-up form. Make sure to submit accurate information to ensure successful enrollment.
If you qualify for Concession fares (ages 13-18), you will use the Orange Compass Card and be charged the appropriate Concession fare rate directly by TransLink. Fill out the aCCess Benefit Sign-up form when you turn 19 to enroll in the aCCess Benefit.
Registering your Compass Card is important as it allows you to cancel the Card and transfer the balance if it’s lost or stolen. To register your Card, visit https://www.compasscard.ca or call Compass Customer Service at (604) 398-2042 (Monday to Sunday, 6:30am to 11:30pm).
NOTE:
- Registering your Card with TransLink does not automatically enroll you for the aCCess Benefit. Fill out the aCCess Benefit Sign-up form to enroll yourself in this program.
- If you are already an aCCess beneficiary, and lost your previous Compass Card, please update your record with Columbia College so the aCCess Benefit is transferred to the new Card. You can do so here: Update your aCCess Benefit Information Form
The aCCess Benefit will be provided to you as stored value credit on your Compass Card. To change this stored value into a monthly pass, please contact Compass Customer Service at (604) 398-2042 (Monday to Sunday, 6:30 am and 11:30 pm). If you intend to purchase a two-zone or three-zone monthly pass, you’ll need to manually add extra value to your Compass Card.
If your registered Compass Card is lost or stolen, contact Compass Customer Service to transfer the products to a new Compass Card. If your Card is unregistered, the fare products on it cannot be recovered.
Important! Once you purchase a new compass Card, update your record with Columbia College so the aCCess Benefit is transferred to the new Card. You can do so here: Update your aCCess Benefit Information Form.
Before the 11th of the first month of the semester.
If you miss the deadline to enroll for the benefit (before the 11th of the first month of the semester), you will not receive the benefit allocation for that semester. It’s recommended to make changes before the deadline to ensure you receive the intended benefits on time.
Remember, adhering to the deadline helps ensure accurate benefit allocation, preventing any inconvenience or delay in receiving your monthly benefits.
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College will not be liable for incorrect Compass Card numbers provided to TransLink for program participation, or for any failure to provide the Card or loaded value to College students for any reason whatsoever.
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Changes after 11th of the month: We cannot enroll you into the program after 11th of the month, but if you are already a beneficiary and want to update your Card information (in case you lost your previous Card) you can fill out the form here , or email: [email protected]
If you are already an aCCess beneficiary, fill out Update your aCCess Benefit Information Form to make changes to your information within the deadline.
Remember that changes made on or after the 12th of the first month of the semester might not show up until the following semester’s benefit.
We cannot enroll you into the program after 11th of the first month of the semester, but if you are already a beneficiary and want to update your Card information (in case you lost your previous Card) you can fill out the form here or email: [email protected]
If you lost your Compass Card, you can fill out the form here, or email: [email protected]
If you miss the deadline, any new enrollments will not be accepted until the following semester.
Students are not eligible for a refund on the aCCess Benefit provided by the College. If any additional amount was loaded onto the compass Card by a student, it can be refunded back to the original payment method. Please reach out to TransLink for support, https://www.compasscard.ca or call Compass Customer Service at (604) 398-2042 (Monday to Sunday, 6:30am to 11:30pm).
Contact us
For any questions or assistance regarding the Columbia College Access Benefit Program, you can email:
Email: [email protected]
Please note that the information provided in this FAQ is subject to change, and it’s advisable to refer to the TransLink website for the most up-to-date information on fares and products.