College Accounts & Logins
Everyone receives ctcLink and MySeattleColleges accounts for access to online services and IT resources. Users must set up their accounts before first time use. Activate your ctcLink account first, then use your ctcLink credentials for logging into Tools to initialize your MySeattleColleges account.
Important Update for Students: March 13, 2026
There is now a new state-mandated requirement in place for students to use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) when logging into ctcLink, as well as the services that utilize ctcLink for identity verification. This means that students will now be required to sign in with a two-stage MFA process:
- ctcLink ID and password (as has been done previously)
- Verification via email, voice call, or use of an authenticator app (this is the new part)
This MFA process is similar to others that you have likely experienced in other contexts, such as with banking, government sites, healthcare sites, and so on, where an extra layer of security is provided by MFA. In this case, once your ctcLink ID and password have been accepted, you will be asked to verify your identity via a secondary method, where you will receive a code that you will then enter into the next login screen.
This document provides detailed instructions. Note: the current language of this document refers to "employees", but the contents now apply to students as well.
Please refer to the IT Help Desk for additional support.
ctcLink
ctcLink is your WA State Colleges account for conducting official business such as student registration, financial aid, tracking academic progress, updating personal information and for employee records, payroll and work processes. Learn more about ctcLink and how to activate account:
Learn more about ctcLink, with links to commonly performed actions
Quick link to ctcLink Account Login.
Use ctcLink login credentials (ID & password) to access:
- ctcLink
- MySeattleColleges Tools
- Canvas
MySeattleColleges Account
Your MySeattleColleges Account credentials provides access to campus IT resources.
Students
Students gain access to the following systems according to their application and enrollment status.
| System | When Do Students Get Access? |
|---|---|
| AwardSpring | Day after application submitted to college |
| IT Helpdesk Login | Day after application submitted to college |
| Starfish | Day after application submitted to college |
| Bookstore | Day after class registration |
| Library E-Resources | Day after class registration |
| Office365/College email | Day after class registration |
| Campus Wifi | Day after class registration |
| Handshake | Two weeks before the quarter if you’re registered for classes |
| Library Services | Two weeks before the quarter if you’re registered for classes |
| On-Campus Computers/Labs | Two weeks before the quarter if you’re registered for classes |
| On-Campus Printing | Two weeks before the quarter if you’re registered for classes |
Employees
MySeattleColleges accounts provides employee access to: Seattle Colleges computer devices, 0365, email, wifi, and system processes.
New Students & Employees - Getting Started Steps
- Once you’ve received your ctcLink ID (EMPLID) - Activate your ctcLink account & set your password. Note your ctcLink ID number displayed in the last screen. (Note - Returning students & employees can activate with an old SID (pre-ctcLink) and find out your ctcLink ID (EMPLID) in the last steps of activation.)
- For EMPLOYEES ONLY, starting Aug. 14, 2023 - After activation, on your first time login to ctcLink you will be prompted to set up your MFA security methods.
- While activating your ctcLink account, make note of your ctcLink ID & password. They are needed to log into MySeattleColleges Tools to initialize your MySeattleColleges account. During MySeattleColleges account initialization you'll set your first-time password and be able to view your username.
See Accounts and Tech Tools: A Guide for Students at Seattle Colleges for side-by-side information about the ctcLink and MySeattleColleges accounts and How to Access, How to Set up (includes a Getting Started Checklist) and what to use these tech tools for.
Quick Steps - Accounts Setup
- ctcLink & MySeattleColleges account setup - Quick Steps
- Accounts setup Quick Steps Translations available in Amharic, Arabic, Chinese (Sim), Japanese, Korean, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Ukrainian & Vietnamese.