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This page provides a step-by-step user guide for recovering a new or legacy OpenCCC Account.

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Table of Contents
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About Account Recovery

What is an OpenCCC account and why do

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What information will you need to recover your account?

What steps are required to recover your account?

Where do you go to recover your account?

Instructions to Recover Your Account

If you created your California Community Colleges student account prior to May 2021,

 

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Frequently Asked Questions About Account Recovery

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students need one?

OpenCCC is the California Community Colleges federated identity initiative, which includes a student account system that assigns each user a unique California Community Colleges ID number (CCCID) and allows access to systemwide web-based technology applications via one common single sign-on account.

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titleRead more about the Student Account & the CCCID

Student Account System & The CCCID

When an account is created by a user, a unique identifier is created for that user called the CCCID (California Community Colleges ID) and the user's personal identification data is stored in an Identity Center. The CCCID is the master link between the Identity Center, admission applications, and other system wide technology services. 

CCCID & Student Data Passed to Colleges

When a user is authenticated to use a systemwide service or application such as CCCApply or MyPath, the CCCID is passed to that service to identify the unique individual. In this way services and applications can maintain personal accounts for the user anonymously, thus ensuring privacy for the user.

What information is needed to recover an OpenCCC account?

To create an account, students need an email address and mobile phone number or a unique email address to start the new account, whichever they prefer to validate their identity. Once the user can retrieve and validate their verification code, only a few other details are required to complete the account process, including:

  • Name & Address

  • Birthdate

  • Secure password

These are the only details required to create a new OpenCCC account. Additional information may be needed to submit an application for admission or a financial aid application. 

Where do students go to recover their account?

Since an OpenCCC account is required to apply to a California Community College using CCCApply, most students will begin the account creation process the first time they apply for admission. Even high school students, applying for the first time, or even exploring careers with Career Coach, are required to create an OpenCCC account. All students and potential students are required to create an OpenCCC account before they can sign in to any CCC systemwide technology application.

How long does it take to recover an account?

The simple, mobile-friendly account creation process is designed to be clean, clear, and convenient - allowing users to create & validate a new account and complete their profile in under 7 minutes.

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Steps for Recovering an Account

A new account can be created in just three easy steps: 1) Choose a preferred method to obtain your account security code to validate your identity; 2) provide a few required details needed for your record; and 3) set up a secure Password to ensure account recovery, if needed. That’s it!

Step 1: Recover Account Page

  1. From the Sign In page, enter the mobile phone number or email address you used to create your account.

  2. Click Next to sign in.

New OpenCCC Account Sign In pageImage Added

  1. Enter a unique Mobile Phone number in the input field.

Note

System validation will search the database looking for a match to verify your account. If your mobile phone number is not unique or if your primary phone is a landline, you can try again or switch to the other method by selecting Use email instead link.
The page will refresh with the Email input field.

Tip

Option: If your primary phone is a landline phone or your mobile phone number is not unique to you, select the Use email instead link to use your email address for validating your identity.

Below: Screenshot of the Create Your Account page with the Email input field.

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Next: The Verify Your Account page should be displayed.

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Next: The Verify Your Account page should be displayed.

  1. Retrieve your security code from the message sent to your mobile phone or email account

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For security purposes, two-factor validation is used to verify your identity. A time-sensitive, six-digit validation code will be sent to the user through their preferred method of contact. The code must be retrieved and used within 10 minutes of requesting your code. Below is an example of the verification code message received by email.

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Warning

Reminder: The verification security code is time-sensitive and must be retrieved and entered on the Verify Your Account page within 10 minutes of receipt.

  1. Enter your six-digit security code in the

Verification Code on the Verify Your Account page.

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  1. Click the

Verify Mobile Phone (or Email) button for the system to validate the code.

Tip

Success? If your security code is valid, the Create & Verify Account process is complete and the Create Profile section will display.

Warning

Didn’t receive your code? Click the Resend Code link to receive a new security code. If you want to switch to the other method of contact, click the Back to Sign In link to start over.

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Next: The Create Profile section should be displayed and you are almost done.

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Step 2: Create Your Profile

The Create Profile pageis divided into three workflows:

  • Enter and confirm your Contact Information

  • Provide required Personal Information, and

  • Create a secure Password

Note

Need Help? If you need assistance during the Create Profile process, click on the Help link in the footer to contact technical support.

Contact Information Section

The Contact Information section collects the information that helps your college(s) and other systemwide technology applications (as needed) contact you and verify your identity. It’s a short section and includes the following required fields:

  • Email Address (required, must be unique for security reasons)

  • Confirm Email Address

  • Primary Phone Number (mobile phone or landline accepted)

  • Phone Type

  • Are you currently homeless? (required)

    • If you are homeless currently, no further address information will be collected at this time.

    • If you are NOT currently homeless, the following address fields will display. Required fields will display an asterisk.

      • Country

      • State/Province

      • Street Address 1 & 2

      • Zip Code/Postal Code

  • Terms of Use Statement (required)

Steps:

  1. Enter a unique email address in the

Email input field. Confirm the email address in the Confirm Email field. (This is a required field.)

  1. Enter your

Primary Phone Number and select the Phone Type. (Optional field.)

  1. Read and acknowledge the

Terms of Use statement by putting a checkmark in the adjacent checkbox. This acknowledges you understand the terms and use of your preferred method of contact.

  1. If you are homeless and do not currently have a home address, select the

Yes button under Are you currently homeless? With this response, no additional address fields will be displayed and you will be prompted to continue to the Personal Information section.

  1. If you are not homeless, select the

No button under “Are you currently homeless?and prepare to provide your current home address. The Country field will display.

a. Select your Country from the menu. By default, United States will appear at the top; however if your home address is outside the United States, select your country from the Country menu. This is a required field.

b. Select your State or Province from the menu. (Required)

c. Type in the first line of your Street Address in the input field: (Required)

d. Enter additional street address information in the Street Address 2 field. (Optional)

d. Enter your Zip Code (US) or Postal Code (non-US). (Requires) to complete your address.

  1. Click

Next when all required fields are filled to advance to the Personal Information section.

Note

Required fields are identified with an asterisk ( * ). If an asterisk not appear at the end of each field label, you are not required to provide that information.

The Contact Information section of the Create Profile page in the OpenCCC account.Image Added

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Note: Once validated, the email or mobile phone number you chose to validate your identity during account creation will be pre-populated in the Contact Information section to save you time. This data cannot be changed until your account is created and confirmed, at which time you can sign in and access the Edit Account system.

Tip

Designed for Student Success: To further simplify the account creation process, the system will autofill any information we collect from you in a previous section, such as your email address or mobile phone number (which is collected in the Create & Verify process).

Personal Information Section

The Personal Information section collects the minimal amount of required information needed for your college(s) and other systemwide technology applications to ensure your educational records are complete across your educational journey in the California Community Colleges system. This section includes required fields, shown below, which are denoted with an asterisk:

  • Legal Name (first, middle, and last)

  • Preferred Name

  • Date of Birth / Confirm Date of Birth

Steps:

  1. Enter your legal name:

    1. First name (optional)

    2. Middle name (optional)

    3. Last name (Required).

    4. Suffix, such as Jr., Sr., or III (optional)

  2. Enter a preferred name (optional).

  3. Enter your date of birth manually or select the date from the calendar picker (required)

  4. Confirm your date of birth (Required andboth dates must match.)

  5. Click Next to advance to the Credentials section.

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Credentials Section

The final step in the Create Profile section is to set up a secure Password that meets the security criteria requirements.

Your secure password must meet the following requirements:

  • be at least 8 characters in length

  • contain at least one uppercase letter

  • contain at least one lowercase letter

  • contain at least one number

  • contain at least one of the following special characters ( !, @, #, $, %, ^, &, or *)

  • must NOT contain your name

Tip

Password Security: When your password meets the requirements criteria, the “Password must:” box will appear solid green, as shown in the screenshot below.

Steps:

  1. Enter a string of letters, numbers, and special characters into the Password input field. The combination must meet the criteria requirements listed on the left, adjacent to the input fields.

  2. Re-enter the password in the Confirm Password field to ensure it matches the Password field exactly (both fields must match).

  3. Click the Create Account button to submit your password and finish creating your account.

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Note

Your password is required if you forget your Sign in credentials (email or mobile phone number), or if you need to edit your account.

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Account Confirmation & Next Steps

When you’ve completed all the steps required in the account creation process (outlined above) and click the Submit button, the following happens:

  • The Account Confirmation screen will display with a button to continue to your destination application.

  • An Account Confirmation email or text message is sent to your mobile phone or email address.

  • A unique CCCID is generated for you and stored with your account profile data. This data is sent to the college with your CCCApply admission application or CC Promise Grant fee waiver application.

  • You will be auto-directed or auto-logged in to your destination URL or application.

To edit your OpenCCC account information:

  1. Click on the Edit Your Account link in the header of any CCC Student Success Suite application, including CCCApply (Standard, Noncredit, or International applications for admission to college), MyPath student onboarding portal, or the CC Promise Grant application (fee waiver grant), to display the Edit Account page. The Sign In page will display.

  2. Enter your email address or the mobile phone number you used to create & verify your account, initially.

  3. If you forgot which email address or mobile phone number was used, click on the Recover Account link on the Sign In page. Follow the prompts to recover your verified sign in credentials.

Edit Your Account from CCCApply

  1. If you reached the Sign In page by clicking on a CCCApply application link from your college’s website, you will land on the My Applications page in CCCApply. After successfully signing in,

Edit Your Account from MyPath

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Common Issues & Error Messages

Below are some common issues that may arise during account creation with ways to fix them and keep going. If you encounter other issues not listed here, please contact a Support Representative at the CCC Technology Center.

Q: I didn’t receive a confirmation email or text message. What do I do?

A: First, confirm that you are logging into the right email account or using the correct mobile phone number. If you are sure you are using the correct email address or mobile phone number, contact CCCTC Support Representative for user support.

Why do I keep seeing the Session Expiration message?

If you are seeing the Session Expiration message, the system is saying it has not had any user activity in the past 10 minutes. This is standard functionality in web applications that are concerned about security and privacy of personal information.

To keep that message from appearing, continue to move through the account creation process and complete the set up of your account. If you are seeing this message - even if you have been active in the account creation process - check your internet connect and, if necessary, refresh the page for a more stable connection.

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Q: I’m keep getting a message that my account already exists. Why is this happening and what do I do now?

A: if you are seeing this message during account creation, it means that an account has already been created using more than one piece of personal information associated with you.

Stop creating a new account and return to the Sign In page. Click on the Recover Account link to see if you already have an account and attempt to recover your sign in credentials.

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Q: The system is not accepting my mobile phone number. Why is this happening and what do I do now?

A: It is possible that your mobile phone number was already validated by another user. This could happen in error, or if you shared your mobile phone number with a family member, they may have validated the number before you.

We recommend using your unique email address to validate your account. From the Verify Your Account page, click on the Use email instead link to use your email address to validate your identity.

Q: I didn’t receive a validation (security) code. What do I do now?

A: Request a new security code. Return to the Sign In page (during account creation) or if your account is already created, follow the Account Recovery process to request a new validation code.

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Why am I getting a message telling me to verify my US address?

Domestic (US) addresses are run through a USPS validation service to ensure the address is valid. If the system detects an invalid address, the Verify Address message will display with a suggested address and the following message: “To ensure an accurate address, we suggest the one below. Would you like to use this suggested address?”

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The continue, the user is required to make a Yes or No selection. Selecting Yes will prompt the system to override the original address and replace with the suggested address. Selecting No will prompt the system to maintain the original address, or the user can return and edit the original address provided.

Tip

If the system does not display the Verify Address message, the user will be prompted to proceed without incident.

Is customer support available if I get stuck during account creation?

Yes! User support is available 24/7 through the Helpdesk phone center (800) xxx-xxxx , by email support@openccc.net, or online through the self-support community site, CCCHelp.info.

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More FAQs

Q: I think I already have a CCCID account but it’s been a long time. I don’t have my original email account. Do I need to create another account?

Q: Can I sign in with my existing (legacy) account?

Q: What’s the difference between the legacy OpenCCC and the new Account?

Q: I am more comfortable reading Spanish. Is there any way to translate the onscreen text to Spanish?

A: Yes! Every page of the OpenCCC account system, including account creation, recovery and edit profile, is available in English and Spanish. All onscreen text, error messages, help text, and confirmation emails and text messages, can be viewed in either language by selecting the Switch to Spanish/English link found in the header of every page.

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