Okta - Activating Your ctcLink Account

Purpose: Use this document as a reference for activating your account in ctcLink.

Audience: College Faculty, Staff and Students (including International Students)

First time users must first login via gateway.ctclink.us in their web browser before accessing their account through the mobile/device ctcLink app (either using the HCX app or HCX browser link.)

If you experience any issues with sign on credentials, user names, passwords, or student ID numbers, please contact your college Help Desk and/or college Advisor.

Note: Ensure that pop-up blockers are disabled in your browser.

Expand or collapse content Standard Account Creation

Activate Your ctcLink Account

  1. Navigate to the ctcLink Sign In page (https://myaccount.ctclink.us/ or https://gateway.ctclink.us) or the Activate Your Account page from your college’s website. (If you select Activate Your Account page, start with Step 3 below).
  2. Select the Activate Your Account link toward the bottom of the page.
  3. Select the OK button when the redirection pop up message displays.
  4. The Activate Your Account page displays.
  5. Enter your First Name and Last Name. Please make sure you have entered your name correctly. (If your legal name is a single name—such as Pran, Madonna or Nani - you must enter a hyphen (-) in the First Name field and enter your single name in the Last Name field.)
  6. Enter your Date of Birth (MM/DD/YYYY) as shown or use the calendar icon.
  7. From the drop-down menu select:
    • ctcLink ID (new) if you are a new student or employee.
    • SID (old) if you are a current or returning student or employee.
  8. Enter either your ctcLink ID or SID.
  9. Select the Submit button.

Set Your Password

  1. The Set Your Password page displays. This page is used to set up your password and your account recovery options. Enter your preferred Email address.
  2. Additional Account Recovery options located in the Account Recovery box.
    1. Enter Phone Number for text (SMS) option. (Only US phone numbers apply.)
    2. Enter Phone Number for voice option. (Only US phone numbers apply.)
  3. Create your Password. (At least 8 characters, including at least one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter and one number. Special characters may be used but are not required. Do NOT use all or part of your first or last name as part of your password. The user’s Empl ID number can no longer be included when creating a new password.)
  4. Confirm your Password.
  5. Select the Submit button.
Set Your Password page with Account Recovery box and submit button
  1. A pop-up message displays.
  2. Make note of your ctcLink ID and password.
  3. Select the OK button.
  4. The Account Activation confirmation message displays.
  5. Close all browser windows after activation.

PLEASE NOTE:  When prompted to close your browser(s), make sure to close ALL browsers completely for update to take place.

Sign In for the First Time

  1. Open your college's Okta sign-in page.
  2. Enter your ctcLink username and password.
  3. Select Sign In.

During your first login, you will be prompted to set up Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). Please refer to the Okta - Multi-Factor Authentication QRG for MFA set up.

Expand or collapse content International Student Account Creation

First-Time Login for International Students

Before you begin you will need:

  • Your ctcLink ID and password
  • A smartphone (iPhone or Android) or a FIDO2 security key (such as a YubiKey)
  • Internet access during setup

You do not need a U.S. phone number.

We recommend installing one of the following apps on your smartphone before you begin:

  • Okta Verify (recommended)
  • Google Authenticator
  1. Navigate to the ctcLink Sign In page (https://myaccount.ctclink.us/ or https://gateway.ctclink.us) or the Activate Your Account page from your college’s website. (If you select Activate Your Account page, start with Step 3 below).
  2. Select the Activate Your Account link toward the bottom of the page.
  3. Select the OK button when the redirection pop up message displays.
  4. The Activate Your Account page displays.
  5. Enter your First Name and Last Name. Please make sure you have entered your name correctly. (If your legal name is a single name—such as Pran, Madonna or Nani - you must enter a hyphen (-) in the First Name field and enter your single name in the Last Name field.)
  6. Enter your Date of Birth (MM/DD/YYYY) as shown or use the calendar icon.
  7. From the drop-down menu select:
    • ctcLink ID (new) if you are a new student or employee.
    • SID (old) if you are a current or returning student or employee.
  8. Enter either your ctcLink ID or SID.
  9. Select the Submit button.

Set Your Password

  1. The Set Your Password page displays. This page is used to set up your password and your account recovery options. Enter your preferred Email address.
  2. Additional Account Recovery options located in the Account Recovery box. Only U.S. phone numbers are supported. If you do not have a U.S. phone number, leave the field blank.
  3. Create your Password. (At least 8 characters, including at least one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter and one number. Special characters may be used but are not required. Do NOT use all or part of your first or last name as part of your password. The user’s Empl ID number can no longer be included when creating a new password.)
  4. Confirm your Password.
  5. Select the Submit button.
Set Your Password page with Account Recovery box and submit button
  1. A pop-up message displays.
  2. Make note of your ctcLink ID and password.
  3. Select the OK button.
  4. The Account Activation confirmation message displays.
  5. Close all browser windows after activation.

PLEASE NOTE:  When prompted to close your browser(s), make sure to close ALL browsers completely for update to take place.

Sign In for the First Time

  1. Open your college's Okta sign-in page.
  2. Enter your ctcLink username and password.
  3. Select Sign In.

During your first login, you will be prompted to set up Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). Please refer to the Okta - Multi-Factor Authentication QRG for MFA set up.