HCC provides a variety of computer services and state-of-the-art classrooms and labs to meet the changing technology needs of students and faculty.
HCC Login ID and password
Use your HCC login ID and password to access myHCC, HCC email, campus computers, password services, and the HCC wireless network. HCC’s online password services tool, available at www.howardcc.edu/PasswordServices, allows students to initially set up and manage their HCC login credentials and reset forgotten passwords. Your HCC login ID usually consists of the first initial of your first name + the first seven digits of your last name + the last four digits of your student ID number. For example, if your name is “Art Vandelay,” and your Student ID number is 1234567, your HCC login ID would be “avandela4567.”
Password services will walk you through the initial set up of your identity and password and with changing your password every 6 months thereafter.
myHCC
myHCC is the center of your digital life at Howard Community College! Use it as the starting point for many online services. After logging into myHCC with your HCC login ID and password, you can view college calendars and announcements, check email, use password services, and access Self Service to:
- Plan and register for classes (visit howardcc.edu/register for more information);
- Pay your bill;
- Order transcripts;
- View class schedules, grades, advising assignments, financial aid and scholarship status, and academic course history; and
- View tuition refund and withdrawal deadlines.
Student Email
The college recognizes email as an official method for communication with students. Students are expected to act upon all official communications received at their college email address. Access email within myHCC, or directly from https://owa.howardcc.edu by using your HCC login ID and password. Check your email regularly, delete messages that you no longer need, and empty the Deleted Items folder to ensure you will be able to continue sending and receiving college email. Students may forward their email to an external email account. It is recommended that students who choose that option select the "forward and delete" setting. For instructions on email, visit howardcc.edu/email.
Your student HCC email address is usually yourfirstname.yourlastname@howardcc.edu. Your instructor’s college email address is usually their firstinitiallastname@howardcc.edu.
Canvas and Online Courses
Canvas is the primary course delivery system used by HCC for online classes. Many classroom instructors also use Canvas for supplemental materials, quizzes, and class activities. If you are registered for an online course, once the term starts you can access Canvas through myHCC or www.howardcc.edu under Tools, Canvas. Enter your HCC Login ID and password; for Continuing Education students your password is your user ID with an additional zero to make it eight digits. Use the Google Chrome browser to ensure full functionality of Canvas. Visit the eLearning website at howardcc.edu/elearning for more information.
Wireless Internet Access
Using your personal laptop or other device, open a browser (Internet Explorer, Chrome, Firefox, etc.) and log in to the student wireless network, HCCSTUDENT, using your HCC login ID and password. For limited access, you can use HCCGUEST without log in.
Mobile Alert
HCC’s Mobile Alert system enables you to receive instant notification of important campus information and emergency announcements to your cell phone, email, pager, or desktop RSS application. Subscribing to the service is optional and free; however, standard text messaging charges from your carrier may apply. Visit www.howardcc.edu/mobilealert to learn more and sign up.
Computer Labs and Printing
HCC provides two open computer study labs, which offer a quiet academic environment where students can study, do research, and complete class assignments. These labs are equipped with PCs and Macs offering Internet access, scanners, printers, CD/DVD writers, and software based upon the needs of the academic community. Credit students may log in using their HCC login ID and password. Computer lab and help desk staff are stationed within these labs to assist users with logging in, software, and other questions.
Students are allocated a specific dollar amount at the beginning of each semester that allows free black ink printing up to that dollar limit. The free printing allocation is shared across other campus computer labs in the Library, Health Sciences lab, Learning Assistance Center, Math lab, and Writing lab. The price of each single-sided page is 10 cents, each duplex (double-sided) page is 15 cents, deducted from your print balance as you print jobs. Students can purchase additional printing funds online using a credit or debit card while logged into a computer in any of the labs listed.
Computer Study Lab Locations and Hours
Fall & Spring Semesters
Room DH-110 443-518-4602
Monday to Thursday 8 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Friday 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Saturday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday 1 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Room CL-129 443-518-4504
Monday to Thursday 8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Friday 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Internet Café
Computers and personal workspaces are located inside the Café on the Quad (RCF Building) for students to enjoy a beverage or lunch while working on group projects or just surfing the Internet in a casual and comfortable atmosphere. Other informal sites are located throughout campus in areas such as the DH first floor lounge, outside Student Life (SA201), the second floor of the Health Sciences (HS) building, and the Science, Engineering, and Technology (SET) building. Printing may not be available in these locations.
File Storage
Students are encouraged to use cloud storage, such as Google Apps and Microsoft Onedrive, for storage of personal files. To access, visit
Students have access to install Office 365 Pro Plus on their personal computers. Please go to https://portal.office.com/ and use HCC email and HCC email password.
Laptop Loans
The Help Desk offers laptops for full-time credit students to use. To check out a laptop, go to the computer lab in CL-129, Monday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Laptops are loaned during fall and spring semesters, starting the second week of each semester, for periods of 4 to 24 hours. No laptop loans are available summer and winter semesters.
Technology Help Desk
The Help Desk provides a central point of contact for students with questions or problems concerning email, myHCC, online course access, wireless access, registration, software, and other technology problems. Drop by the Help Desk located inside the computer labs in room DH-110 or CL-129, call 443-518-4444, email helpdesk@howardcc.edu, or visit www.howardcc.edu/helpdesk.