As a student at USC Aiken, you will encounter many different computers, systems, software packages and websites; each of these may have their own username and password. Keeping up with the correct account information for each can be very confusing.
To make things as easy as possible, USCA has worked hard to ensure that all resources provided directly from the USC Aiken campus use your standard USC Aiken Network (PacerNet) Username and Password. These include: all campus computers, eMail, VPN access, shared folders and network resources.
A few other systems which most students use, are actually located on the main USC campus in Columbia. These do not use your PacerNet account information. Access for VIP and Blackboard, the two main USC systems, are explained in their relevant links on the menu to the left.
Other accounts you may encounter include MyITLab, MathLab, etc. Please see your instructor for specific access information where needed.
If you have questions about any of your accounts, the first place to look for information is the actually login page for those accounts. Most will have helpful links and information, including the option to reset password automatically.
If you run into problems getting any of your accounts setup, need a password reset, or have another question regarding a particular system, please use the contact information below. Always remember to identify yourself as a USC Aiken student if call the USC Columbia Service Desk for assistance.
USC Network Username, SSC, VIP ID, USC ID, MFA and Blackboard
USC Aiken Help Desk
803-641-3391 (non-campus phones) or 4357 HELP (campus phones)
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Pacer Account, Office 365 and @usca.edu Email
USC Aiken Help Desk
803-641-3391 (non-campus phones) or 4357 HELP (campus phones)
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Campus Network (Wired/Wi-Fi) and Computers
USC Aiken Help Desk
803-641-3391 (non-campus phones) or 4357 HELP (campus phones)
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USC Network Username, SSC, VIP ID, USC ID, MFA and Blackboard
USC Columbia Service Desk
803-777-1800
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PeopleAdmin (Student Workers Only)
USC Columbia Service Desk
803-777-1800
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Pacer Account, Office 365 and @usca.edu Email
USC Aiken Help Desk
803-641-3391 (non-campus phones) or 4357 HELP (campus phones)
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Campus Network (Wired/Wi-Fi) and Computers
USC Aiken Help Desk
803-641-3391 (non-campus phones) or 4357 HELP (campus phones)
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Math Placement
USC Aiken Help Desk
803-641-3391
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Office 365 and @usca.edu
USC Aiken Help Desk
803-641-3391 (non-campus phones) or 4357 HELP (campus phones)
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Orientation Registration Issues
USCA Orientation Office
803-643-5800
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USC Aiken Help Desk
803-641-3391 (non-campus phones) or 4357 HELP (campus phones)
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The account students, faculty, staff and affiliates use to access local USC Aiken campus resources, like: the USC Aiken campus network, @usca.edu email, campus computers, Wi-Fi, VPN, shared drives and folders, printing, and all usca.edu websites, are all now known as the Pacer Account.
USC Aiken campus accounts are created by your USC Aiken Computer Services Division (CSD)/Help Desk team and include:
Manage your Pacer Account
All USC Aiken campus accounts are accessed using the Pacer Account (formerly known as the USCA Network Account or PacerStudent Account).
To change the password for your Pacer Account, use the appropriate information listed below and go to: http://reset.usca.edu
If you have forgotten your password or your password is no longer being accepted, you'll need to contact the Help Desk for assistance.
If you receive an error stating that your VIP ID hasn't yet been claimed, try re-claiming your VIP ID by completing the form at: https://my.sc.edu/vipid/claim/process?execution=e4s1
To setup SSC for the first time, please follow the instructions found at this page: https://my.sc.edu/vipid
Accounts used to access USC university services are assigned by USC Columbia University Technology Services (UTS) and include:
Manage your USC University Services Accounts
To setup or manage your USC University Services Accounts, go here: https://myaccount.sc.edu
Multifactor Authentication (MFA) is now required on some systems!
Many systems based on the Columbia campus, such as my.sc.edu, Self-Service Carolina (SSC) and others began requiring MFA for access.
If you haven't already setup MFA for your accounts, you'll find information and instructions below. Columbia has also created a setup FAQ specifically for students.
Most systems managed by the USC-Columbia campus are protected by Multi-factor Authentication (MFA) using the DUO Security system.
The primary system protected by MFA is Self-Service Carolina (SSC). SSC is used for many of your basic administrative needs as a student: class registration, housing, financial aid, etc. You will need to complete MFA setup to have access to these areas.
Blackboard is where all online courses take place.
You log into Blackboard using your USC Network Username and Password.
The previous Blackboard app does not work with USC-Columbia's Multifactor Authentication system. However, the new BB Student app will. This new app can be downloaded from your App Store, and is for free.
Here's how to install the new app:
For more information on the Blackboard Student app, please see the Bb Student app help page.
Blackboard uses the email address set as your Preferred University Email Address. This should always be set to your official USC Aiken email address which ends with @usca.edu. Please confirm this is set correctly to ensure you receive all messages sent to you by your professors and classmates in Blackboard and other university systems.
To check the email address listed in Blackboard...
To change your Preferred Email Address...
If you do not have an @usca.edu address available to you as an option in the "Preferred University Email Address" drop down, please notify the Help Desk immediately. We will need to open a ticket with the Blackboard Support team to have this corrected.
You log into Blackboard using your USC Network Username and Password.
To reset this username and password:
Be sure to remember your USC Network Username and Password since it may be different than your USCA Network/PacerStudent account.
Email is part of your Office 365 account.
Remember, your USC Aiken email address will be your USCA Username (Students call this PacerStudent username) plus @usca.edu. For example, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
While most account holders are able to log in for the first time without issue, some do run occasionally into a problem. If you have any issues with your first login, please take the following troubleshooting steps. These are the same steps we will walk you through if you call the Help Desk for assistance. If you're still unable to login, give us a call or stop by, and let us know what you found while completing these steps.
Basic email troubleshooting
Newly Admitted or Transferring Student?
Has it been at least 72-hours since you were accepted? If not, you should check back again in a day or two.
Transfer and "Change of Campus" Students may also run into issues if they were not properly released from their previous campus before being accepted by the USC Aiken Office of Admissions. Even if you only took college credit courses in high school, the system may still treat you as a "change of campus" student. Please call your old Admissions Office to ensure you were properly released. Then contact the USC Aiken Office of Admissions at 803-641-3366. Explain the issue you're having to them and let them know the Help Desk has asked you to check that you are properly accepted after a transfer. Once this is completed, please try the steps above again.
Still can't get in?
If you are still unable to log into email after completing all of the steps above, please contact the Help Desk with any issues you've found during troubleshooting.
Having this information will allow us to quickly assist you in resolving the issue. We may be able to help you directly ourselves, or we may get this information from you to work with our counterparts in Columbia to resolve the issue.
To log into your email account, simply click the Email link at the bottom of the USC Aiken website, or go to: https://portal.microsoftonline.com
You'll then be taken directly to your Inbox and can begin using email.
Connecting a mobile device to your USCA Email account is fairly simple. We've included basic instructions below. If you run into any issues, please bring your device to the Help Desk. We're happy to walk through the setup process with you.
Setup an iOS device
Setup an Android device
Setup for Windows Phone
Help for Issues
If you run into any issues setting up your device, you may want to check Microsoft's help site for instructions specific to your device. You'll find those on the Office Web App Help page.