You only need to activate your account once. Remember to write down your ctcLink ID

Note: If you have already activated your ctcLink account at another college, you do not need to reactivate. Your ctcLink ID will be the same across the Washington State Community and Technical Colleges system.

Important: You must activate your account on a laptop or desktop computer. After you have activated your account, you can then access ctcLink via the mobile app (see below "Get the mobile app") section.  

 Reference Guide: Activate your ctcLink Account (English)

Activate your ctcLink Account (Spanish)

Starting April 22, 2024, Whatcom Community College is required to use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) to access ctcLink and Canvas. MFA is an added layer of security to verify the user’s identity when signing into an application and makes your account more secure. The MFA activation is being mandated by the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges and all 34 Washington colleges in the system will enable MFA for students, faculty, and staff.

Instructions to set up your MFA:

1. Go to https://myaccount.ctclink.us/
2. Enter your ctcLink ID and password

3. In the next window click the Select button next to a security method for verification. The methods listed will depend on the information you provided during ctcLink account activation or current updates you’ve made since then.

4. After you verify which method you would like to login with, the ctcLink Account Portal (My Apps) page will display. Click the Password Settings button to open the settings app.

5. Set up MFA Security Methods.

• From the Security Methods section, click the buttons next to the methods to edit your verification choices and follow the prompts to set up your MFA. You may be asked to re-enter your ctcLink password.
• In general, the more options you choose, the better in case one option doesn’t work

Security Method Options:

• Phone – receive a one-time code via text or voice call. Ideally this is the phone number you will be near when needing to access canvas or ctclink
• Email – receive a one-time code via email. You can pick any email that works for you
• Okta Verify – a smartphone app used to scan a QR code for authentication.
• Google Authenticator – a smartphone app used to provide a code for authentication.
• Hardware Security Key – a physical key card which provides a one-time code. This is a last choice option if none of the above will work for your situation. Contact the Student Helpdesk at 360.383.3410.

A reference guide has been developed to help navigate the ctcLink Student Center. The reference guide linked below lists the icons in the Student Center and the actions available for each icon.

Reference Guide: Student Center Tiles

It is important to maintain current contact information in ctcLink. You can update contact information by using the Profile tile on the ctcLink student homepage.

ctcLink Reference Center: Update Contact Information

Mobile How-To: Mobile (HCX) - Contact Information

1. Go to the ctcLink login page
2. Enter your ctcLink ID and password, and click Sign In
3. Click Student Homepage, then Profile
4. Your Personal Details will be displayed, and you can review your personal details such as, name, date of birth and social security number.
5. Listed below is your Primary Name. When you select Primary Name, you can view the legal name that is on file. You cannot update this online. If this information is incorrect or needs to be updated, please contact Admissions and Registration at registration@whatcom.edu or 360.383.3030  
6. You may add another name by clicking on the plus (+) button. Be sure to indicate which name is Primary and Preferred.
7. Make the desired changes, and when finished, click on Save.

How to Find Your Enrollment Date

Before enrolling in a class, you will need to know when you can complete the enrollment process. Enrollment dates can be found in ctcLink.

Below are step-by-step instructions for how to find your enrollment date on the web:

 

ctcLink Reference Center: Find Your Enrollment Date

Mobile How-To: Mobile (HCX) – Enrollment Dates

An exciting feature of ctcLink is the app you can use on your mobile devices. Search the app store (iPhone) or play store (Android) on your mobile device for "ctcLink" to download and install this free app today. After you activate your ctcLink account, you will be able to access ctcLink from your mobile device using this app!

Note: You need to activate your ctcLink account before using the mobile app or its web-based version. 

Mobile ctcLink Reference Center for Students

1. On your mobile device, proceed to the App Store (iOS)/Play Store (Android)
2. Search for, ‘ctcLink’
3. Locate the ctcLink app from the search results. Note: The app publisher is WA SBCTC  or WA State Board for Community and Technical Colleges
4. Install the app
5. Once installed, open the app and choose whether or not you want to allow notifications
6. Review the Terms and Conditions. Scroll to the bottom and select Agree
7. The list of Institutions will appear. Locate and select Whatcom Community College (you may use the search bar to lookup Whatcom Community College)
8. Once Whatcom Community College is selected, you will be brought to the Whatcom Community College ctcLink Homepage. Here, you can access the following: 

• Student Portal
• Canvas
• Class Registration
• Tuition Payment
• And more!

The app is also available as a mobile-friendly webpage if you'd rather not download the app. 

How to Enroll in a Class

Enrolling in classes can be done either on the web or on your mobile device.

Below are step-by-step instructions for enrolling in a class on the web:

 

How to enroll in a class on your mobile device: Mobile (HCX) – Enroll in Classes

ctcLink Reference Center: Enroll by Class Search to Shopping Cart

How to drop a class

Dropping classes can be done either on the web or on your mobile device.

Below are step-by-step instructions for web:

 

 

How to drop a class on your mobile device: Mobile (HCX) – Drop Classes

ctcLink Reference Center: Drop Classes

How to View Your Class Schedule

Once enrolled in classes, you can view your class schedule at any time.

Below are step-by-step instructions for web:

 

ctcLink Reference Center: View Your Class Schedule

Mobile How-To: Mobile (HCX) - Schedule

How to Add Yourself to a Waitlist

 

Payment of charges due can be made through ctcLink. Instructions for viewing and paying charges are linked below.

ctcLink Reference Center: View Charges

ctcLink Reference Center: Make a Payment

Mobile How-To: Mobile (HCX) – What I Owe

Student employees will use ctcLink to report their time worked so they can get paid. Student employees must submit their time worked to ensure time is reviewed and approved before payroll.

Step-by-Step Directions: Enter Time

Final grades can be found in ctcLink on either web or mobile. Step-by-step instructions for both are linked below.

ctcLink Reference Center: View Grades

Mobile How-To: Mobile (HCX) – Grades

If you have forgotten your ctcLink password, you can reset it by using the ctcLink password reset tool.

ctcLink Reference Center: Resetting Your ctcLink Password

How to Pay Tuition/Check Tuition Bill