ctcLink Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) from Students
Click the accordion box with your question for an answer and additional information.
To get to the ctcLink login screen:
- Go to the Students web page for your college ( North | Central | South ) and click on the ctcLink icon.
The quicklinks menu at each college's website also has a link.
- You may get to the ctcLink login screen directly at the URL https://gateway.ctcLink.us.
Returning Students: If you are a current or returning student, you will get your new ctcLink ID number (called EMPLID in the system) when you activate your ctcLink account beginning March 1. Be sure to write down your new number when you get it and keep it in a safe place. Refer to the instructions for how to activate your ctcLink account.
New students: Your ctcLink ID number is included in the welcome email you receive from Seattle Colleges.
Be sure to write down your new ctcLink ID number (EMPLID) when you get it and keep it in a safe place. You will need it to login to ctcLink.
If, however, you forget your ctcLink ID after you activate your account, you can retrieve your credentials by entering your SID and PIN at https://tools.seattlecolleges.edu/Initialize/mycredential_bySID/
You may also login to https://tools.seattlecolleges.edu/ using your MySeattleColleges information (typically firstname.lastname@seattlecolleges.edu and associated password), select Manage Account Settings, and find your ctcLink ID (EMPLID). The IT Helpdesk can help too.
If you have already received a ctcLink ID number from another college in Washington state, you do not need to activate your account or receive a new number. The ctcLink ID number you already have is what you will use at Seattle Colleges as well.
You won’t be alone as you start using ctcLink. IT staff will be on standby to assist with technical issues. Online help and support—both self-service tutorials and Zoom meetings will be available.
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If you encounter problems activating your account, contact the IT HelpDesk.
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for step-by-step help guides and tutorials, visit the ctcLink Resources for Students web page.
If you have student SID and PIN numbers from before March 1, 2021, they will not work in ctcLink. They are replaced by the ctcLink ID number (called an EMPLID in the new system) and password. Students now set up their own passwords and associated security questions (for use if the password is forgotten) when they activate their ctcLink account and log in to the new system for the first time.
New students starting Spring Quarter 2021 and after will receive a ctcLink ID and will use that number. New students will still need to activate their ctcLink account.
Refer to the instructions for how to activate your ctcLink account.
You can continue accessing your Ed Plans via the student portals (MyNorth, MyCentral, MySouth). However, you will need to sign in using your MySeattleColleges credentials.
Note: Your MySeattleColleges login is the same login information you use with Microsoft Office365 and Outlook email (typically firstname.lastname@seattlecolleges.edu and associated password).
MySeattleColleges Portal Login: MyNorth | MyCentral | MySouth
Yes, you can still view your unofficial transcript in our legacy systems using your old SID and PIN.
Note: If you are not a currently enrolled student and only need to retrieve an unofficial student transcript, you do not need to activate your ctcLink account before accessing your unofficial transcript.
NORTH: wts.seattlecolleges.edu/seanor/waci002.html
Yes, you can still access your financial aid information for Fall 2020 and Winter and Spring 2021 through your college’s Financial Aid Portal.
ctcLink displays more information to students about tuition and fees than Seattle Colleges’ previous system. One big change is that tuition is now shown split out into the Operating, Building, and S&A (Services and Activities) components.
For details go to the Understanding Tuition and Fees in ctcLink web page.
Seattle Colleges follow the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) tuition and fees policies, which generally describe the amounts that are charged for different types of classes and students. More information is available at the SBCTC tuition and fees web page.
It is possible this could happen if you are using the mobile app for ctcLink. If this happens:
- Log into the main ctcLink portal at gateway.ctclink.us instead of using the app.
- Select ‘Student Homepage’
- Select ‘Financial Account’
This should fix the issue and you should be able to see your account charges.
We are aware that some students have encountered problems when trying to pay tuition through a credit card transaction in ctcLink.
If you encounter this problem, try the tips below:
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Use the main ctcLink webpage to login and pay (instead of the mobile app).
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Use the Firefox or Safari browsers (instead of Google Chrome).
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Turn off the pop-up blocker on your browser.
Student 1098-T forms are not available in ctcLink. Students may go to our Education Tax Credit website to learn more and to access their 2020 and past 1098-T forms.
One exciting feature of ctcLink is an 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’ll be able to access ctcLink directly through your mobile device using this app.
Note: You must activate your ctcLink account before using the mobile app or its web-based version.
You will use a combination of ctcLink, Starfish, Canvas, and MyNorth/MyCentral/MySouth while you’re a student at Seattle Colleges. The guide below provides a brief overview of what each system is for, along with relevant resources and login information.
FYI: Student Tech Tools: ctcLink, Canvas, Starfish, MyNorth/Central/South: A Guide
No, students taking a class with Continuing Education will continue to register directly at learnatnorth.org, learnatcentral.org, or learnatsouth.org. As a Continuing Education (CE) student, you will not register, add or drop classes in ctcLink.
Related Questions for Continuing Education (CE) Students
Q: Will anything change for me as a CE student?
A: Yes, if you are a current student, you will be assigned a new ID number on March 1, 2021—a ctcLink ID—and, after launch, all new incoming students will receive a ctcLink ID. This new ID will be used whether you register for classes at North Seattle College or one of the other Seattle Colleges, as well as at all Washington community and technical colleges.
Q: Will I need to do anything to activate my new ctcLink ID?
A: No. You will register for a CE class through the CE websites. The college's CE office will look up your ctcLink ID and term activate you to complete your registration and payment. You will only need to activate your ctcLink ID if you are also taking academic classes which require you to register through ctcLink. Note: if there are other functions where you will need to use ctcLink, CE staff will send you the information on how to activate your ctcLink ID and login to the system. However, in most cases, CE students will not need to login to that system.
Q: Will I still use my SID when I register for classes?
A: No. After you register for a class with Continuing Education, your new ctcLink ID will be included in your confirmation email. You will use your ctcLink ID for all future registrations.
Q: Does logging in to Canvas change?
A: Students, faculty, and staff will continue to use Canvas, our learning management system (LMS). Students will be encouraged to use their new ctcLink ID. New students without a SID will only use their ctcLink ID to access Canvas.
Yes. Student employees need to use ctcLink to report their time worked so they can get paid. Step-by-step instructions are available.
No, you do not need a permission number for every class.
There is some confusion about when students need to request permission numbers (formerly known as entry codes) because the Permission Number Box automatically appears on the registration page. You do not need a permission number for every class. We encourage you to go through the process to register for your courses, and if you need a permission number, the system will inform you after you click the Enroll Button.
Course permission numbers (formerly known as entry codes) will be available when registration opens and can be obtained at your college in the same way they were previously available. For more information, visit the registration website for your college: