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Student Account Deactivations and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Information

Student Account Deactivations and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Information

On May 6, 2026, ºÚÁÏÉçÇø, Central Pennsylvania Community College, will deactivate the ºÚÁÏÉçÇø accounts of students who have not earned a grade in the last two years. This important and necessary step is being taken to help protect the private and personal information of former students and minimize the risk of data breaches.Ìý

QuestionAnswer

Why were some inactive ºÚÁÏÉçÇø student accounts deactivated?

This action was taken to protect students' private, personal data. As you may know, ºÚÁÏÉçÇø has been under attack by bad actors intent on stealing financial aid funds or the personal information of students and colleagues. Deactivating inactive accounts lowers our vulnerability and benefits ºÚÁÏÉçÇø in several ways:

  1. Tens of thousands of student accounts are now inaccessible to "hacking."
  2. It paves the way for ºÚÁÏÉçÇø to launch and maintain multi-factor authentication (MFA) for students. We plan to launch MFA for students in the near future.
  3. It saves ºÚÁÏÉçÇø money, as we will no longer be paying for services and products for individuals who are not active students.

My ºÚÁÏÉçÇø account was deactivated. How do I reactivate it?

Students whose ºÚÁÏÉçÇø accounts are deactivated can only reactivate them by registering for classes in a future semester.

I have been inactive for more than five years. How do I reactivate my account?

  • Complete a new ºÚÁÏÉçÇø .
  • Pay the admissions application fee.
  • Begin the onboarding process steps once your myºÚÁÏÉçÇø account is reactivated.Ìý

I have been inactive for less than five years. How do I reactivate my account?

  • Fill out an .
  • Come to any ºÚÁÏÉçÇø campus and complete an ID verification when prompted.
  • Note that ºÚÁÏÉçÇø will be instituting a processing fee for students to reactivate accounts in the near future, though it is not yet required. More information will be forthcoming.

Why might someone who is registered for summer or fall 2026 classes have had their account deactivated?

The process to deactivate accounts is challenging, especially during an active enrollment period because student accounts are literally changing moment to moment. Therefore, it is possible that a student was scheduled to be deactivated before they made a change to their enrollment.

We have been contacted by a small number of students (less than 0.1% of the accounts we deactivated thus far) to seek reactivation.

What should I do if I'm registered for a summer 2026 or fall 2026 class and my account gets deactivated?

If you are registered for a summer 2026 or fall 2026 class and your account gets deactivated, please take this step:

  • Fill out an .
  • In the field, "Reason for Account Reactivation," please indicate that you are registered for summer 2026 or fall 2026 classes.Ìý
If my account gets deactivated, will all my student records be deleted?

No. Your academic records, including transcripts and grades, will remain permanently stored in ºÚÁÏÉçÇø student information system. You can continue to request transcripts or access your academic records with help from the registrar office.

However, you will lose the ability to log into ºÚÁÏÉçÇø accounts and access ºÚÁÏÉçÇø-provided resources, including HAWKMail, Microsoft products, and library services.Ìý

What is MFA?

MFA is an extra step that is used when signing in to an account.

MFA requires users to enter a password and confirm their identity through an additional approval method such as a one-time code.

This extra and important step helps prevent someone else from accessing your account, even if they know your password.

Why is ºÚÁÏÉçÇø using MFA?

MFA helps protect your:

  • Personal information
  • Financial aid and student records
  • Access to ºÚÁÏÉçÇø systems

Unfortunately, student accounts across colleges nationwide, including ºÚÁÏÉçÇø, are often targeted for:

  • Financial aid fraud
  • Account takeovers
  • Misuse of student services

MFA makes it much harder for scammers or hackers to use stolen passwords. Even if a password is compromised, they cannot sign in to an account without the second step.

This practice is not unique to ºÚÁÏÉçÇø.Ìý

Colleges, employers and government agencies across the country use MFA because it is one of the most effective ways to protect accounts.

MFA is implemented by many services that you may already use, such as:

  • Banks
  • Email services
  • Online shopping and payment apps
  • Social media platforms
How can I learn more about MFA?

Below are a few resources that explain MFA and why it is widely used:

  • National Cybersecurity Alliance
  • Microsoft Support
  • Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency

Visit .Ìý

How can I log into my ºÚÁÏÉçÇø accounts with multi-factor authentication (MFA) on or after May 26, 2026?

Beginning May 26, 2026, ºÚÁÏÉçÇø will require all students who wish to access their ºÚÁÏÉçÇø accounts to log in using MFA.

Please:

  1. Note students will need to follow the steps listed at the following links to set up MFA:
    1. Use if you are using a desktop or tablet.
    2. Use if you are using an iPhone.
    3. Use if you are using an Android device.
  2. Note: Students are encouraged to review these login steps prior to May 26.
  3. Visit this webpage for more information about MFA, the login process and why ºÚÁÏÉçÇø is using it.


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