Getting Started Guide: Students
Carolina Computing Initiative (CCI)
The Carolina Computing Initiative (CCI) helps ensure students have access to high-quality and affordable technology that fulfills the University’s laptop requirement.
Received your laptop? Use the buttons below to set up your computer.
Deciding whether to buy? It’s never too late to get the CCI benefits: onsite authorized repair, deep discounts, access to loaner machines and more. Visit CCI for details.
Secure your account
Carolina Key
Protect your account with Carolina Key. Carolina Key replaces your password and Duo with device-based authentication like facial recognition, PIN or fingerprint scanning and works on web-based systems and services protected Single Sign-On, such as Canvas and ConnectCarolina. Carolina Key is easier for you, but harder for hackers. Register your devices at Carolina Key.
2-Step Verification
At UNC-Chapel Hill, there are 2 ways to 2-Step. We know that having more than one way to verify your identity might seem confusing at first, but these two industry-standard tools are the most effective ways to protect your accounts. Visit 2-Step Verification to set up both services.
Microsoft 365 (formerly Office 365) has 2-Step Verification built-in. Some other services also use Microsoft to authenticate.
For other 2-Step uses on campus, including VPN and ConnectCarolina, the University uses Duo Security.
Get connected!
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi is everything! Enroll your device with eduroam for secure and encrypted Wi-Fi on campus and at more than 10,000 hotspots worldwide.
If you need Wi-Fi on a device that’s not compatible with eduroam, like a gaming console or smart TV, use UNC-PSK. The UNC-PSK network password changes annually. By comparison, enrolling your device in eduroam installs a four-year certificate.
And leave the guest network for guests — it’s not secure and restricts access to some campus resources.
Hello Heels mobile app (formerly CarolinaGO)
The Hello Heels app is a must-have for campus resources, including dining hours, transit schedules, events, maps, quick links and more. Search “Hello Heels” in the App Store or Google Play.
Canvas
Canvas is UNC’s online course-management system and you’ll use it many, many times throughout your student career.
Customize your Canvas experience with the YuJa Panorama accessibility assistant. Panorama automatically offers course content in alternative formats, including audio, tagged PDF, Braille, multiple languages and math formats.
Zoom
Meeting online for class? Sign into your UNC Zoom account before joining your Zoom meetings! See tips for attending class in Zoom.
Panopto
You may need to watch videos for class through Panopto, the University’s centrally supported video storage and management system. Sign into UNC Panopto to create your account! Note that to access your course videos, you must click on the Panopto tool in the Canvas course.
Productivity apps
Get to know Heelmail. It’s your go-to spot for checking your email and calendar throughout the semester. Most official University services will default to your UNC email, so check it often! You can install the Outlook app on your phone for quick access on the go.
While it’s essential to use your UNC email account, you won’t be able to keep it after you graduate and are no longer affiliated with the University. It’s a good idea to maintain a personal email account for banking, shopping, social media and non-University correspondence.
Storage
OneDrive is available to all students. It’s a great spot to store and share your files.
Carolina Print Hub (formerly CCI printing)
Wondering which printers are up and running? Need to find the closest printer in a hurry? Curious about your printing allotment? Learn more about the Carolina Print Hub. The printing map is available online. Also, mobile printing is available.
WordPress websites
Create a website in under a minute. Need a website for class, a student org or just for fun? Tarheels.live makes it easy to create a WordPress website.
Be accessible
UNC-Chapel Hill believes everyone deserves the opportunity to succeed and participate in a welcoming environment. This includes creating an inclusive digital experience.
Connect with the Digital Accessibility Office to learn how to make the digital content you create on behalf of the University, like websites, social media, video and more, accessible for all Tar Heels.
Top 5 IT help articles
Have one of these common tech challenges?
Be creative and keep learning!
FREE Adobe Creative Cloud
Adobe Creative Cloud is available to all students for no additional cost. Visit Adobe at UNC to request your license, which includes free access to Adobe Stock images and some Adobe Firefly AI tools.
LinkedIn Learning
LinkedIn Learning is also available to all students. Need to learn Excel for class? Maybe how to edit a video? Or, just some tips for public speaking? LinkedIn Learning has online classes for any skill you need to pick up or refine.
AI tools at Carolina
Across campus, Tar Heels are exploring generative AI and finding innovative uses for teaching, learning, work and play. ITS provides campus with centrally supported AI tools, including Microsoft Copilot with Data Protection and Zoom AI Companion. When you use these, or any AI tools, reference University generative AI resources for learning, which includes guidance on using AI appropriately.
ConnectCarolina
From registering for classes to checking grades to taking care of financial aid, ConnectCarolina is the hub for your most essential to-dos as an enrolled student.
To keep your data secure, you’re required to use Duo 2-Step Verification when logging into ConnectCarolina, and when off campus, the University’s Virtual Private Network (VPN) is required to access certain portions of ConnectCarolina.
Bonus: a simplified version is available in the Hello Heels app.
Stay safe and secure
IT policies
When you use University IT services, like Wi-Fi and email, you agree to abide by UNC IT policies. Take a few minutes to read relevant policies, with Acceptable Use and Copyright Information at the top of your must-read list.
Emergency alerts
Alert Carolina is our emergency alert system — from timely and weather warnings to serious campus situations. Visit ConnectCarolina to make sure your info is up-to-date.
LastPass
Making long and strong passwords, or better yet, passphrases, is a key part of keeping your accounts safe. Generate and store passwords securely with free access to LastPass Premium. Read more about LastPass at UNC or sign up for a new account.
Phishing and email security
Don’t get snagged by a phishing email! Phishers target the University — and you — daily, trying to trick you into sharing your password or other valuable information. As the semester begins, look out for job scams. Criminals target students and use the lure of easy and high-paying campus jobs to steal your money or identity. Remember that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Want a second opinion? Contact the ITS Service Desk. When you know it’s a phish, use the “report phishing” button in Outlook. This alerts Microsoft to review and potentially remove the message from other inboxes to help keep Carolina safe.
