If you need login help to finish your application, please see KB0010852: Logging in to Finish Your Application instead. This article applies to systems/apps beyond the application process.

This article only applies to current students, faculty, and staff. If you are attempting to sign into eBill as an Authorized User, you may find these other articles helpful:

• • KB0010614: How to Log Into eBill as an Authorized User
  • KB0010613: Authorized user Account is Locked

As of 6/15/23, the information in this article will also apply to your college Google Workspace account. More on Accessing Your CofC Google Account

What is my username?

Your username is the same as your college-issued email address:

• • Applicants: Since you do not have a college-issued email address yet, your username is CWID@g.cofc.edu, where "CWID" with your own 8-digit CWID.
    
    
  • Students: Your college-issued email address will be provided to you via the email listed on your admissions application, after paying all required deposits. Allow up to 48 hours for your deposit(s) to be processed to receive your new login/email address. 
    
    
  • Employees: Your login credentials are sent to your supervisor after the account is created. Your personal email address will be copied, if it is available. 

If you do not know your college-issued email address or CWID, please contact the IT Service Desk via chat, phone, or walk-up. Due to a successful phishing scam resulting in many people providing their personal information to a nefarious third party, the online lookup tool is no longer available, so you will need to contact the Service Desk for help.

What is my CWID?

Your College Wide Identification (CWID) uniquely identifies you as a member of the College of Charleston, and may be required when accessing certain services and logging in.

You may find your CWID on the Admissions application portal, in MyPortal, or your personal email.

Students/Applicants - Log into your applicant portal to find your CWID. The applicant portal is not tied to any other CofC system, and has its own set of recovery tools on the page if you can't sign in. If you are able to log into MyPortal, you can also find your CWID there.

Employees - Your CWID is provided to you via personal email (if available) and your supervisor when your account is created. Search your personal email or contact your supervisor. If you are able to log into MyPortal, you can also find your CWID there.

If you cannot find your CWID, please contact the IT Service Desk via chat, phone, or walk-up for assistance. There is no longer a self-service tool available for you to look it up, so you will need to contact the IT Service Desk for help. Please note that the IT Service Desk will not be able to directly provide you with your CWID, but instead will verify your identity using other means, and help you log into MyPortal so you can locate your CWID there.

What is my password?

The initial password is: CWID + birthdate (mmddyy) + A!

• • For example, if your CWID is 90000009 and your birthdate is Jan 5, 1995, then your initial password is: 90000009010595A!

Reset your password at any time using the self-service password reset link: aka.ms/sspr

First Time Logging In

1. The first time you sign in, your password is: CWID + birthdate (mmddyy) + A!
   
   • For example, if your CWID is 90000009 and your birthdate is Jan 5, 1995, then your initial password is: 90000009010595A!
2. You will be prompted to change the password.
   
   • For password recommendations, see KB0011990: Creating a Secure and Memorable Password
3. You will be also prompted to set up security information the first time you sign in to any system that uses Single Sign-On (SSO) (like scholarships, MyPortal, OAKS, Office 365 apps, etc.). This security information will be used for Multi-Factor Authentication and Self Service Password Reset later.
   • Set up at least two methods that you regularly have access to. The Microsoft Authenticator App is the primary MFA verification method required. You may also use a secondary method (like SMS [Text] or Email for SSPR ONLY).
   • Use security methods that belong to you, not your parents or other family members. This will save you the trouble of not being able to get into your own account later.
   • You can change your security methods later if desired, and will be required to confirm your methods every 180 days.

Signing In

There are a wide range of applications used at College of Charleston that require authentication. As much as possible, we try to use Single Sign-On (SSO) for authentication, but some legacy systems do not support SSO. What you enter for your username when signing in will depend on whether the system uses SSO or not. 

When in doubt, try your full email address first as most systems will use your full email. If that doesn't work, try just the login - the first part of the email before the @ symbol.

Change My password

I know my current password.

• • If you are already signed into your college Office365 account, click Settings>Change your password
  • You can use this Change Your Password link to get directly to the change password screen
    
  • You can use the Self Service Password Reset link: aka.ms/sspr 

I don't know my current password, or it's not working.

• • Use the Self Service Password Reset (SSPR) link: aka.ms/sspr
    • SSPR resets the password for all CofC IT Managed systems (MyPortal, OAKS, eduroam, etc.) 
    • SSPR is the fastest method to get your password reset.
    • More information can be found in KB0010954:Password Reset Information
  • If you are unable to reset your own password, please contact the IT Service Desk via chat, phone, or walk-up.

See KB0010570: Add or Change MFA and SSPR Security Information for your CofC Account

Having trouble?

Suggestions and how to get help:

1. Double check that you are typing the password correctly.
   • It is a common error for people to type in 4 digits for the year when typing their birthdate - use only two digits for the year.
   • If you have your password saved in your browser, try typing it in instead. Your browser might have an old password stored.
2. Employee Contract Ended:
   • If you are an employee whose contract end date has lapsed, this will prevent you from being able to log in. Contact your supervisor and HR if your contract end date needs to be updated. Only HR can update the end date in Banner.
3. Lost or Forgot Phone:
   • If you cannot sign in or reset your own password because you are unable to use your secondary authentication methods, contact the IT Service Desk via Chat or Phone to request a new password and for your MFA methods be reset. This will allow you to set up new authentication methods the next time you sign in. Be prepared to verify your identity.
4. Get Help From a Person:
   
   • The IT Service Desk can help: start a live chat or call 843-953-3375.
   • Note: You will be required to validate your identity. Due to FERPA, the account holder has to be the one to contact IT Service Desk. The account holder is the person whose name is on the account, and does not include any person(s) paying bills.