Frequently Asked Questions
Find quick answers to our top Grossmont Technology queries. Patrons seeking more in-depth advice and guidance may consult our technology guides.
Search FAQs
Keyword search -- enter a keyword like "Canvas" or "wifi" in the search box below:
What is my "college PIN"?
- Your college PIN is your date of birth, in six-digit format: MMDDYY
What is my password?
- your Self-Service password, on your very first login, begins as your College PIN. It must be changed every semester
- your Canvas password format is displayed on the Canvas login page
- your campus account password begins as your College PIN. It must be changed at least once a year. Your campus account is used for campus Wi-Fi, computers, Wepa printing, student email, and accessing Library materials
How do I log on to the Wi-Fi?
- Choose Grossmont Wireless on your device
- Your username is the same one you use for Self-Service
- Students: The password is initially your college PIN - same as your campus computer and GCCCD email password
- Faculty & Staff: Password is the same as used for your email inbox
- For more detailed help, or if you use Android, see this guide on campus Wi-Fi
How do I forget the network on my Apple device?
- For an iPhone/iPad or MacOS, please see the instructions here: Forget a Wi-Fi network on iPhone, iPad, or Mac
How do I forget the network on my PC?
- For a Windows 11 laptop, please see the instructions here: Delete wireless network profile - Windows 11
- For a Windows 10 laptop, please see the instructions here: Delete wireless network profile - Windows 10
How do I log on to a campus computer?
- Your username is your firstname.lastname (same as Self-Service)
- Students: The password is initially your college PIN - same as your Wi-Fi and GCCCD email password
- Faculty & Staff: Password is the same as used for your email inbox
I can't login because my account is "locked" - what do I do?
- Accounts are locked after too many invalid login attempts are made. They are unlocked automatically after a short period of time. Further invalid login attempts will cause your account to lock again
- If you know your password, wait several minutes and try again. If you do not know your password, check our Technology Guides or search our Frequently Asked Questions. If you need help, contact the Help Desk
- *Note: If you attempted to log on to the Wi-Fi network but received an error - immediately
forget the network and attempt to log in on a campus PC
I selected "No, it's not me" in the Authenticator App and now I can't login - what do I do?
- You must contact the District IT Help Desk so they may verify and unblock you
- You may email District IT (helpdesk@gcccd.edu) or call the IT Helpdesk at (619) 644-7547 for assistance
How do I make a Private Tab / Window / enter Private Browsing in Safari?
How do I make a New Private/Incognito tab or window in Chrome?
How do I take a screenshot on an Apple device?
- On macOS (MacBook or iMac):
- Press Command (⌘) + Shift + 3 - this will save the entire screen to your Desktop. For more options, press Command (⌘) + Shift + 5 to launch the Screenshot utility
- On iOS (iPhone or iPad):
- If you device has a Home button, press the Home button + Side button (or Top button on some models)
- If your device doesn't have a Home button, press and hold the Side button + Volume Up
How do I take a screenshot on Android?
- On Android 12 and higher:
- Open Quick Settings by swiping from the top of the screen
- Find the Screenshot option and tap on it
- Most other Android versions/devices:
- Press and release the Power and Volume Down buttons at the same time
How do I take a screenshot on Windows?
- To capture the entire screen at once:
- Find the Print Screen button on your keyboard (sometimes abbreviated PrtScn)
- Press Windows + PrtScn to save a picture of your screen in the Screenshots folder, in your Pictures library
- Capture a portion of the screen:
- On Windows 10 and higher, press Windows + Shift + S on your keyboard
- Click and drag a rectangle around the area you want to capture - releasing the mouse button will copy the area to your clipboard
- Paste the image directly into your email message or other document
- *Note: If your PrtScn button has colored text you may need to hold down the Fn key to activate it
How do I log in to Canvas?
- Go to the Grossmont College homepage and choose the Canvas link in the top-right corner of the page or in the menu
- Your username is the same as the one you enter for Self-Service
- Your password format is shown on the Canvas login page itself
- Avoid just Google-ing "Canvas" - it may lead you to the incorrect portal. The correct url for the Canvas login page is: gcccd.instructure.com
How do I use / get help with Canvas?
- Students: For questions on how to complete assignments, or issues with taking quizzes, due dates, or accessing necessary materials please contact your instructor
- Students: For questions on how to navigate and use Canvas, see the Canvas Student Support page
- Students & Faculty: Technical issues like logins or browser errors can by addressed by contacting the Canvas 24/7 Support Line at 1-844-600-4953
- Faculty: Please see the Canvas Support for Faculty page
Do I get a student email address?
- Yes! Every student is provided a student email account. After classes begin you will have a Microsoft account in the form of: firstname.lastname@students.gcccd.edu
Where do I find my student email?
- You may login directly to Grossmont's Outlook instance here: Sign in to Outlook.
- Learn more about student email by viewing the District Email Help page
How do I reset my password?
- For Self-Service, please follow our Self-Service Password Reset guide
- For Canvas, click on the Forgot Password? link on the Canvas login page
- For your Wi-Fi, student email, or computer account, please use the Microsoft Password Reset tool
- Enter your GCCCD email
- Follow the prompts on screen
- You will receive a confirmation in your personal email upon success
- Find detailed information about the reset process here: Reset your work or school password using security info
How do I update my GCCCD password?
- You may update your password at any time by following the instructions in our Update Email Password guide
- *Note: You must update your password through Outlook.com or on a campus PC if you receive
notice it is expired or expiring
I received a suspicious email in my GCCCD inbox - what should I do?
- Do not reply to the email. Never click on any links or ads, open any attachments, or take any action whatsoever that the email may request
- Phishing attempts often try to scare users into action with a false sense of urgency
- If you suspect a phishing email, or are uncertain, simply delete it or contact the Help Desk. If you provided any information, clicked on any links, or opened any attachments, you must contact the Help Desk immediately
I'm not receiving emails that I think I should - how can I check my "spam"?
- To verify quarantined emails, log in to the GCCCD Spam Filter with your GCCCD email and password
- Select Quarantine from the Message Filter drop-down on the Message Log screen
- If in doubt, no action is needed - it is safe to leave messages quarantined indefinitely
- If you have interacted with a spam message in any way - clicked on any links or opened any attachments - contact the Help Desk immediately
- *Note: The filter is highly effective - exercise care and sound judgment when reviewing
quarantined messages
Can I download Word / Office / Microsoft 365?
- Students enrolled in courses, full-time faculty, and full- or part-time staff are licensed for the full Office / Microsoft 365 suite. You may download and install the product on up to five devices
- Temporary workers and Adjunct faculty may use Office / Microsoft 365 online through the web browser
- Students not enrolled in courses or retired faculty/employees have access to their GCCCD inbox only
- You can learn more in our Microsoft 365 guide
I'm using a laptop borrowed from the Library - where are my files saved?
- Loaner laptops are not meant to store user files. After each reboot, the system is wiped and restored back to defaults
- Please store your documents in the cloud (OneDrive, Google Drive, etc.) for safekeeping
I'm using a laptop borrowed from the Library - why can't I install software?
- Loaner laptops are not meant to install extra programs. After each reboot, the system is wiped and restored back to defaults
- If you need to use a particular program we recommend using it on your own PC or in one of the Grossmont Computer Labs
Can I download / use Photoshop / Lightroom, etc?
- Students enrolled in a course that utilizes the Adobe Creative Cloud will have access on campus computers. Login with your student email credentials
- Other users may wish to utilize the free Adobe Express product. More information can be found in the Adobe Guide
How do I register / use Self-Service?
- Self-Service is the district's registration and student record system used for adding classes, paying fees, and checking grades. Learn more about adding classes using Self-Service
How do I buy / research text books?
You can figure out what textbooks you will need through Self-Service:
- After logging in to Self-Service, choose the My Text Books option on the bottom right
- Select which school and semester in which you are enrolled
- You'll be taken to the Bookstore website with your classes pre-populated in the Find Course Materials page
- *Note: If you are unable to checkout online please follow the guide for Grossmont Bookstore Checkout
How may I change my personal email address?
- Your personal email is designated in Self-Service. To update the email to which Canvas and other school-related messages are delivered, login to Self-Service, and update your User Profile
Where may I find a Datalink Machine?
- We provide a list of Datalink machine locations on campus
How do I request printing / duplicating services?
- All print jobs must be submitted online through the Printing Department. (Use the Submit a Print Request button)
- Login with your firstname.lastname and your email password
- *Note:New users must create an account by visiting the printing department
- Call (619) 644-7392 or email printing/duplicating at grossmont.printing@gcccd.edu with questions or for assistance
How do I join a Zoom Meeting?
- Please see the detailed instructions here: Joining a Zoom meeting (no sign-in needed)
- *Note: Students do not need any sort of login to view their Zoom classes
How come I cannot log in to Zoom or my Zoom account is limited?
- New Staff/Faculty are not provided with Zoom accounts automatically, but must request one by emailing the District IT Help Desk (helpdesk@gcccd.edu). Please do not attempt to create your own Zoom account using your @gcccd.edu address; it will be a free/limited account that will not suffice for educational/work use
- *Note: Students do not need any sort of login to view their Zoom classes
I cannot log in or forgot my password to Zoom - what do I do?
- Currently, the District Enterprise team manages Zoom accounts. Please email the District helpdesk for assistance
- *Note: Students do not need any sort of login to view their Zoom classes
How do I schedule a Zoom meeting, start a meeting, or record a meeting for my class?
- Instructors please follow the Zoom Support guides. Choose the appropriate guide under Hosts/Co-Hosts
- *Note: Students do not need any sort of login to view their Zoom classes
What is my login for the Vision Resource Center (VRC)?
- Please login to your GCCCD Microsoft account (using your GCCCD email credentials)
- From the main Microsoft portal, tap the "waffle menu" (grid) and choose More apps
- Locate and choose the Vision Resource Center tile
I can access my email and Wi-Fi, etc., but not the VRC - what should I do?
- If you do have access to Outlook and other school resources, but your VRC login isn't working, contact District IT via email or call District IT at (619) 644-7547 for assistance
Need further assistance?
Didn't find the information you're seeking? Your question may be answered more thoroughly in one of our Technology Guides.