MBTA Semester Pass Program

Harvard Griffin PhD students whose Notice of Financial Support includes a transportation stipend will receive a lump sum of $840 on September 1 as part of their funding packages. Eligible students may direct the transportation stipend toward their preferred commuting method, including toward purchasing an MBTA semester pass at an 11 percent discount off the full price. 

Harvard Griffin GSAS master’s students and non-funded PhD students who purchase MBTA semester passes will be reimbursed 50 percent of the cost, up to $420 per term. When possible, this credit is paid as a student account credit; however, due to tax implications, some instances may require the financial aid office to pay this as a stipend. The Office of Student Success works with the MBTA to process discounted MBTA semester pass orders. Students are responsible for pursuing other transportation options on their own. 

Harvard Griffin GSAS students who receive a transportation stipend are responsible for calculating the costs associated with their individual commute and choosing the transportation method that makes the most sense for them financially. Students are not required to use their stipends to purchase a discounted MBTA semester pass; they may instead choose to apply their stipend to a pay-per-ride CharlieCard, commuting costs associated with biking, or another means of transportation. Learn about biking benefits on the University's transportation site.

Harvard Griffin GSAS allows one MBTA semester pass order per student per term; applicants must be currently enrolled at the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences to qualify. Students can order a four-month pass (September through December) for the fall term and a five-month (January through May) or four-month (February through May) pass for the spring term. Orders for fall 2026 open July 1, 2026, and must be placed through this Qualtrics form by August 7. Students will be charged for their passes on their student accounts following the distribution period.

New for Fall 2026

Passes will no longer be mailed to students. Instead, students will pick up their passes at either the Smith Campus Center (Suite 350) or the Office for Graduate Education (TMEC 435) on the Longwood campus. 

Smith Campus Center pickup will be available August 27–September 4 during business hours. Longwood pickup will be available August 26–27 and September 2–3 during business hours. 

On the Qualtrics order form, students will choose their preferred pickup location. Students must bring their HUID to pick up their pass, and they may pick up their own pass only. Any passes not picked up before the September 4 deadline will be returned to the MBTA.

Order a Semester Pass

Semester Pass Program FAQs

Can I buy single-month MBTA passes through the Semester Pass Program?

The MBTA Semester Pass Program offers passes for either four or five consecutive months at an 11 percent discount. Students are charged for the entire amount and cannot opt in or out of coverage during the term. PhD students can, however, opt to apply their transportation stipends to a single-month MBTA pass, a pay-per-ride CharlieCard, or any means of transportation that best suits their needs. These alternative options are not part of the MBTA pass discount program and are available directly from the MBTA.

Why don’t eligible PhD students receive a 50 percent discount on MBTA passes?

Beginning July 1, 2024, eligible Harvard Griffin GSAS PhD students will receive a more substantial funding package, which includes a new transportation stipend of $840 per year that students can direct toward the transportation option that best suits their needs. Because of this increased stipend and transportation allowance, funded PhD students are no longer eligible for the 50 percent MBTA Semester Pass discount subsidized by Harvard Griffin GSAS but are still able to purchase Semester Passes at an 11 percent discount.

How do I know if I should purchase a semester pass or a different MBTA pass? Is the Semester Pass Program a good deal for me?

Each student is responsible for calculating whether the MBTA semester pass program is cost-effective for them. Students should consider how often they travel to campus and the method of transportation they use. For example, a student who takes the T (subway) to and from campus three times a week will spend $14.40 (six times $2.40) per week, which is approximately $230 per semester ($14.40 per week for 16 weeks). For this student, a pay-per-ride CharlieCard is more affordable than the $320 four-month pass. Students should carefully weigh these individual commuting expenses before deciding to purchase a pass.

I ordered my pass through the Qualtrics order form. How do I receive my pass?

On the order form, students indicate their preferred pickup location. Those who chose the Smith Campus Center as their pickup location for a fall 2026 pass can pick up their pass in Suite 350 of the Smith Campus Center between August 27 and September 4 during business hours. Students who chose the Longwood pickup location can retrieve their pass during business hours on August 26–27 and September 2–3 at the Office for Graduate Education in TMEC 435 on the Longwood campus. Passes not collected by the final pickup day will be returned to the MBTA.

Pass Pricing

Four-Month Pass Pricing (September–December; February–May)

Prices reflect changes to the Harvard Griffin GSAS graduate student stipend and tuition structure effective July 1, 2024. 

Five-Month Pass Pricing (January–May) 

Reimbursement Policy

Harvard Griffin GSAS does not issue refunds or reimbursements for MBTA passes purchased through the Harvard Griffin GSAS MBTA Pass Program.