Do you have a question about a school-related technology issue?
The Student IT Help Desk is here to help with issues such as:
- Email/Dashboard log in assistance
- Banner/Blackboard log in assistance
- Installing Microsoft Office 365
- Installing Lockdown Browser
- Other student technology issues with laptops or mobile devices
Contact the Gwinnett Tech Student IT Help Desk.
Stuhelpdesk@gwinnetttech.edu or 678-226-6407
When submitting a help request, please include your first and last name, your student ID number, and your student email address so that we can help you more quickly.
In person assistance is also available:
We are available from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday – Thursday and 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Fridays.
On the Lawrenceville campus: Go to the information desk in the lobby of building 100 and ask to see the Student IT Help Desk.
On the Alpharetta campus: Go to the information desk and ask to see the Student IT Help Desk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Gwinnett Tech uses a single sign on system for all of these applications.
Students will log in through the dashboard link to access Banner, Blackboard, Office 365, or other student applications.
To avoid sign in errors, always log in through the dashboard page, then click on the links for banner and other applications from there.
Go to https://gwinnetttech.edu/dashboard/ and click on the login button.
To access your dashboard, you need to know your Gwinnett Tech student email which follows this format: FLLLLLLxxxx@student.gwinnetttech.edu. (first initial, up to 6 characters in last name, last 4 of student ID number)
Your default password is “gtc” and then your 6-digit date of birth, MMDDYY (no dashes or slashes), example: “gtc010580”
The first time you log in you will need to configure your multifactor authentication if you have not done so already. You can verify your ID with a text message, a voice call, or the OKTA verify app. We recommend setting up more than one verification method if possible so you don’t lose access to your account. Please refer to the OKTA login instructions below for more details. OKTA is the new identity management solution being implemented at all TCSG colleges.
Links from the previous dashboard page can be found by clicking the Office 365 link, and then clicking the all apps symbol on the lower left of the page.
Please click OKTA Student Quickstart Guide for more information.
Your default password is “gtc” and then your 6-digit date of birth, MMDDYY (no dashes or slashes), example: “gtc010580”
If you need your password reset please contact the Student IT Help Desk at 678-226-6407 or StuHelpDesk@GwinnettTech.edu and be sure to provide the details below so that we may reset your password.
- Full Name
- Student ID
- Date of Birth
- Last 4 Digits of Social Security Number
- Your Gwinnett Tech student email follows this format: FLLLLLLxxxx@student.gwinnetttech.edu. (first initial, up to 6 characters in last name, last 4 of student ID number)
- If you do not know your student ID number, please contact the Student IT Help Desk at 678-226-6407 or StuHelpDesk@GwinnettTech.edu, let us know you need your student ID, and be sure to provide the details below:
- Full Name
Date of birth
Last 4 Digits of Social Security Number
- Full Name
You can use text messages, a voice call, or the OKTA verify app for multifactor authentication. We recommend setting up multiple authentication factors so that you do not lose access to your account.
If you need your multifactor authentication options reset because your phone number has changed or you have a new device please contact the Student IT Help Desk at 678-226-6407 or StuHelpDesk@GwinnettTech.edu, let us know you need your Multi-Factor Authentication reset, and be sure to provide the details below.
- Full Name
- Student ID
- Date of birth
- Last 4 Digits of Social Security Number
Please contact the Student IT Help Desk at 678-226-6407 or StuHelpDesk@GwinnettTech.edu, let us know you need your Multi-Factor Authentication phone number changed, and be sure to provide the details below.
- Full Name
- Student ID
- DOB
- Last 4 Digits of Social Security Number
When using the text message option for multifactor authentication the code will not send automatically, you must click the “Send Code” button in order to have a code sent to your device.
If you continue to have difficulty logging in, please contact the Student IT Help Desk at 678-226-6407 or StuHelpDesk@GwinnettTech.edu
If you are brought back to the log in page again after entering your information to log in, you will need to clear your browser cache and close all browser windows.
If you are using the Google Chrome browser these are the instructions for clearing your browsing data:
From the “Menu” button in the upper-right corner of the Chrome window (it looks like three small dots), choose “More Tools” then choose “Clear browsing data…” Make sure you choose “All time” from the “time range” drop down menu. Also, make sure the “cookies and other data” box is checked, then click the “clear data” button.
Follow this link for illustrated instructions on clearing the cache in Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, and Firefox browsers. Clearing Browser History Cookies
Microsoft Office 365 is free for all Gwinnett Tech students!
You can watch the video below on how to install Microsoft Office 365 or follow the written instructions. Follow the instructions in this video https://youtu.be/8eILBGoJEDE
- Go to https://gwinnetttech.edu/dashboard/ and select the log in button
- Select the Office 365 link
- Select the Install Office button in the upper right corner of the page
- Select the office 365 apps button to begin the download of Microsoft office 365
- Once you select the office 365 apps button follow the on-screen instructions to complete the install
- Once Office 365 has been installed, be sure to login with your Gwinnett Tech student email account the first time you start an Office application.
Once Office 365 has been installed, be sure to login with your Gwinnett Tech student email account the first time you start an Office application.
Download and install LockDown Browser from this link:
https://download.respondus.com/lockdown/download.php?id=644891631
Once Installed
Go to your desktop and open LockDown Browser.
Log into Blackboard.
Navigate to the test.
Please note, LockDown Browser does not work with Chrome books.
How to Install Respondus LockDown Browser
Blackboard is not compatible with Microsoft edge, this is the cause of the “404 – File or Directory not found” error.
Google Chrome or Firefox are the only two browsers Blackboard supports.
You will need to download Google Chrome or Firefox.
You can download the Google Chrome browser here: https://www.google.com/chrome/ You can download the Firefox browser here: https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/new/
We recommend students use Windows 10, Windows 11 or the current Mac operating system.
Chromebooks are not recommended.
-Required software such as LockDown Browser cannot be installed on Chromebooks.
Please make sure you have updated your browser to the most current version and that your system has the latest operating system updates.
Supported Browsers
- Google Chrome (recommended)
- Firefox
Unsupported Browsers
Safari and Microsoft Edge
Follow this link for illustrated instructions on clearing the cache in Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, and Firefox browsers.
do-not-reply@blackboard.com is the address that all blackboard messages are sent from. If you are not receiving some of your messages from blackboard it is likely that this address has been blocked in Outlook.
To change this, follow these steps:
1. Log in to your student email account through the Outlook link on the student dashboard.
2. On the upper right of your Gwinnett Tech Outlook web app, you will see a gear icon, click on this to open your outlook Settings.
3. Scroll to the bottom and click on View all Outlook Settings
4. From the menu on the left choose Junk email
5. If you see do-not-reply@blackboard.com on your blocked sender’s list click the trash can icon to the right of it to remove it
Once this is done scroll down and click Save
Here is a video tutorial about changing your blocked sender’s list.
Not receiving blackboard messages
The time and date error message is related to a software update from OKTA
“The OKTA End-User Dashboard has encountered an error. To continue using the dashboard, please make sure your system date and time are set correctly”
After the OKTA update you will be unable to sign in unless your date and time are correct and your time zone is set correctly to match your current location.
Here is how to make those changes:
- Left click on the clock in the lower right-hand corner of your screen.
- Click on “adjust date and time”
- Make sure the time Zone is set to “Eastern Standard Time” or the time zone you are currently in.
- You may need turn off “set time zone automatically” so you can make this adjustment.
- Once the time zone is set correctly, turn “set time zone automatically” back on.
- Once you adjust the time zone, also click “Set time automatically” and it should adjust the time to be correct automatically.
- Make sure “set time zone automatically” and “Set time automatically” are on once everything is correct.
You should now be able to log in.
To access Banner go to https://gwinnetttech.edu/banner/ , then click “Enter Student Secure Area” to log in.
Or You can log in on the dashboard page https://gwinnetttech.edu/dashboard/ then click the banner link once you are logged in.
Using an older link or saved bookmark will cause a sign in error or a log in loop.
These errors can also sometimes happen if the page sits idle for more than 30 minutes. Be sure to close the page if it is not being used.
To clear this error, you will have to clear your browser cache and close all browser windows to get past this error.
If you are using the Google Chrome browser these are the instructions for clearing your browsing data:
From the “Menu” button in the upper-right corner of the Chrome window (it looks like three small dots), choose “More Tools” then choose “Clear browsing data… “. Make sure you choose “All time” from the “time range” drop-down menu. Also, make sure the “cookies and other data” box is checked, then click the “clear data” button.
If that does not work, try using an incognito window.
From the “Menu” button in the upper-right corner of the Chrome window (it looks like three small dots), choose “new incognito window”
Follow this link for illustrated instructions on clearing the cache in Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, and Firefox browsers. Clearing Browser History Cookies
Once you cleared your browser cache and closed all browser windows, open a new window and try logging in on the banner or dashboard page.
Go to https://gwinnetttech.edu/banner/ and click “enter student secure area”
or
Go to https://gwinnetttech.edu/dashboard/ and click on the log in button.
This can often happen if you have more than one Microsoft login such as another school or work email, Outlook, Hotmail, or even X-box live. You will need to log out of this other account before you can log in to your Gwinnett Tech student email account.
You may also want to clear your browsing data and close all browser windows.
If you are using the Google Chrome browser these are the instructions for clearing your browsing data:
From the “Menu” button in the upper-right corner of the Chrome window (it looks like three small dots), choose “More Tools” then choose “Clear browsing data… “. Make sure you choose “All time” from the “time range” drop down menu. Also make sure the “cookies and other data” box is checked, then click the “clear data” button.
If that does not work, try using an incognito window.
From the “Menu” button in the upper-right corner of the Chrome window (it looks like three small dots), choose “new incognito window”
Follow this link for illustrated instructions on clearing the cache in Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, and Firefox browsers. Clearing Browser History Cookies
Please contact the Student IT Help Desk at 678-226-6407
or StuHelpDesk@GwinnettTech.edu and be sure to provide the details below so that we may reset your password.
- Full Name
- Student ID
- Date of Birth
- Last 4 Digits of Social Security Number
For other questions regarding your application status, please contact the Recruitment Office. via email: GTCRecruitment@GwinnettTech.edu or via phone: (678) 226-6751.
Dual enrollment students should contact the Office of Dual Enrollment.
By phone 678-226-6889 or by email DualEnrollment@GwinnettTech.edu
If you get this error message when trying to log in to banner it is because your application is not complete. To check your admissions status, go to Online Admissions
Your Login ID will be your 900# or your SSN
Your PIN is to your 6-digit date of birth, MMDDYY (no dashes or slashes)
If you have questions about completing the application process, contact the student recruitment center.
via email: GTCRecruitment@GwinnettTech.edu or via phone: (678) 226-6751.
Dual enrollment students should contact the Office of Dual Enrollment.
By phone 678-226-6889 or by email DualEnrollment@GwinnettTech.edu
The Gwinnett Tech Foundation is able to provide limited assistance with Loaner Laptops.
Please follow the following link to view additional information to acquire a Loaner Laptop.
Contact Gwinnett Tech Foundation 678-226-6425 or email FoundationOffice@gwinnetttech.edu
In order to annotate, print, and sign any Gwinnett Technical College PDF document, please download the free Adobe Reader® software on your machine.
Follow the link below to download: https://get.adobe.com/reader/
Students have a budget of 300 free prints each semester.
To check your print budget:
- Go to https://gwinnetttech.edu/dashboard/ and select the login button.
- Click on the Office 365 link
- Click on all apps in the lower left corner
- Select the student print budget shortcut to see your current print balance and pay for additional printing through Print Payment Management
Additional security on Gwinnett Tech student accounts
Gwinnett Technical College has implemented additional security on all student email accounts. This is called Multifactor Authentication.
- What is Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)?
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is a more secure authentication process for connecting to a web service. It uses at least two out of three factors: something you know, something you have, or something you are. With the system we use at Gwinnett Tech you can verify your ID with a text message, a voice call, or the OKTA verify app. The OKTA verify app is available for Android or iOS.
- Why does GTC require MFA for student logins?
- This year saw a substantial increase in the quantity and complexity of malicious emails on the Internet. In addition, spammers have been increasingly successful in tricking account holders into releasing their passwords, compromising these accounts, which were used to send spam or other malicious attacks.
- How does MFA prevent unauthorized logins if the student’s login information has been compromised?
- By requiring a text message, a voice call, or the OKTA verify app as an additional authentication requirement, MFA blocks access to criminals even if they have the student’s login information. If you get multiple authentication messages on your phone even though you aren’t logging in to your student account, change your password as soon as possible. You have likely compromised it in some way without your knowledge.
- Can I use an alternate email address for MFA?
- No. OKTA only supports verification through a text message, a voice call, or the OKTA verify app.
- If you are unable to log in with the new MFA system Contact the Gwinnett Tech Student IT Help Desk. Stuhelpdesk@gwinnetttech.edu or 678-226-6407
- Is there some alternative to a phone call, SMS or the OKTA verify app??
- No. Gwinnett Tech’s access policy does not support any other authentication method.
- Will you disable MFA on my account if I find it inconvenient?
- No. MFA protects you, other students, faculty, staff, the school’s data, and others online. It has also been instituted as a required security policy at all TCSG colleges.
- If you are unable to log in with the new MFA system Contact the Gwinnett Tech Student IT Help Desk. Stuhelpdesk@gwinnetttech.edu or 678-226-6407
