Student Toolkit

Welcome to Houston Community College!

This page is a one-stop, quick guide to help you know what to expect this semester, how to prepare for success, and where to get help. Start strong with the Student Toolkit below.

Access Technology for Courses

Access Your HCC E-mail and Eagle ID & Password

What is Eagle ID?

Your HCC Eagle ID is your key to access your email and most of your student services.

  • Your Eagle ID is the User ID or W number you were issued upon admission.
  • Your Eagle User ID is the same as your “User ID” which is used to enroll in courses via the HCC Student System [example: W0034567]. 
  • Your Eagle ID gives you access to the Student Center, HCC Student Email, Eagle Online - Canvas, Ask Online tutoring services, and it’s your log-in for campus computers and campus printers. 

How do you access HCC Student Email?

  • Click here to log in to your HCC Student Email Account.
  • You must be registered for at least one class before your HCCS email account is created. Please note that it will take up to 24 hours from the time you register for your first class until your HCCS Email account is created.
  • Your HCCS email will be your HCC Eagle ID with the domain @student.hccs.edu [Example: W211354867@student.hccs.edu].
  • Your password will be the same as your Student Center login.

How do you reset HCC Student Email password? 

 

Log In to Eagle Online (Canvas)

About Eagle Online (Canvas)

HCC uses the Canvas learning management system (LMS), which we call Eagle Online. Through Eagle Online you log in to communicate with instructors and actively participate in courses.

For courses taught online, attendance means logging into your courses using Eagle Online on a regular basis and following any established schedule your instructor puts in place for your course. Students who do not log in and actively participate before the Official Day of Record may be automatically withdrawn for non-attendance. 

How to Log In to Eagle Online (Canvas)

Course information will be posted on Eagle Online by the first day of class. If you register for a class on or after its start date, expect a delay of up to 24 hours before you can access your class. 

  1. Use the following link to log in, eagleonline.hccs.edu.

  2. Your Eagle Online Canvas Username is your HCC Email (issued upon enrollment through the Student System) and the password is the same as your HCC Email password.
    • Details about accessing your HCC Student Email are in the section above. 

Eagle Online (Canvas) Tutorials

Eagle Online (Canvas) System Requirements

To access Eagle Online, you will need a PC (Windows 7 sp1 or better), or Mac (OS X 10.8 or better) with a broadband connection to the Internet.

Canvas Browser Requirements:

  • Canvas recommends the use of the latest version of any web browser.  It’s important to update your web browser regularly.
  • Pop-ups must be enabled. Disable your pop-up blockers.
  • Javascript must be enabled
  • Cookies must be enabled
  • Install the most commonly used internet plugins and keep them updated

 

Watch Course Lectures Using Cisco WebEx and Kaltura

Watch Course Lectures Using Cisco Webex

Some professors will use Cisco Webex to deliver online lectures. Your first step is to access lectures through Cisco WebEx is to log in to Canvas. 

Watch Course Lectures Using Kaltura

Professors who use the Kaltura Live Classroom will invite you via your HCC student email to the meeting in Canvas. To join the meeting, click on the Media Gallery link (on the Canvas Navigation Bar), then click the Join Meeting button at the scheduled meeting time.

 

Get Eagle Online (Canvas) and Password Reset Support

Reset Canvas Password  + Help With HCC Email and Other Technology for Courses

The Information Technology Service Desk assists faculty and students with technical issues related to HCC’s passwords, technology, email, and support hardware and software.

Canvas Technical Support

The Canvas Technical Support team assists faculty and students with technical issues related to the Canvas learning management system and courses being offered through Canvas.

Instructional Services Call Center

The Instructional Services Support Center assists faculty and students with general information about courses, instructional support services, and basic assistance with our learning management system, Canvas.

 

 

Access Free and Low-Cost Computers, Software and Wifi

Please click here to learn about HCC's technology resources: 

  • Technology loaner program
  • Free and reduced costs computers and wifi
  • Free software (Microsoft, Adobe and more) for students
  • Technology and Password Support Hotline
  • Silver Eagle Technology program (for students age 55)

 

 

Academic Support to Succeed

Accommodations/Ability Services

HCC is committed to creating an accessible learning community where individuals with disabilities have an equal opportunity to pursue their educational goals, limited only by their abilities, not their disabilities. Ability Services strives to empower students, foster independence, and promote the achievement of the student’s career and educational goals.

Due to the high demand for services and the nature of certain disabilities, it is recommended that students meet with an ADA Counselor prior to the beginning of each semester. For more information about ability services please read an overview of the process below and click here to visit the Ability Services website.

Accommodation Process Overview

  • Step 1 |  Any student with a documented disability (e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, pregnancy, etc.) who needs to arrange reasonable accommodations must contact the Ability Services office. Professors are authorized to provide only the accommodations presented in the accommodation letter.

  • Step 2 | Students are strongly encouraged to contact the Ability Support Services office before the start of each semester to request accommodations (60 days, if possible) to allow sufficient time to meet with an ADA Counselor and for accommodations to be arranged. Once accommodations are approved, the Ability Services office will email a PDF copy of the student’s accommodation letter to the student.  Ability Support

  • Step 3 | It is the student’s responsibility to email (via HCC email) the accommodation letter to all of his/her HCC Online instructor(s) on the first day of class every semester if the student needs accommodations for the entire class session. Please do not use your personal email.

  • Step 4 | Any student with a documented disability (e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, pregnancy, etc.) who needs to arrange reasonable accommodations must contact the Ability Services office. Professors are authorized to provide only the accommodations presented in the accommodation letter.

  • Step 5 | Students are strongly encouraged to contact the Ability Support Services office before the start of each semester to request accommodations (60 days, if possible) to allow sufficient time to meet with an ADA Counselor and for accommodations to be arranged. Once accommodations are approved, the Ability Services office will email a PDF copy of the student’s accommodation letter to the student.  Ability Support

  • Step 6 | It is the student’s responsibility to email (via HCC email) the accommodation letter to all of his/her HCC Online instructor(s) on the first day of class every semester if the student needs accommodations for the entire class session. Please do not use your personal email.

 

Attendance & Course Participation Requirements

All students are expected to attend classes regularly.

For courses taught online, attendance means logging into your courses using Eagle Online on a regular basis and following any established schedule your instructor puts in place for your course.

Students who do not log in and actively participate before the Official Day of Record may be automatically withdrawn for non-attendance. All of the official Dates of records are available on Academic Calendar. An automatic withdrawal from a course does not erase the course from your record or excuse you from paying for the courses. Your instructor will define what "active participation" is for your course.

 

Books and Course Material

It's highly recommended that you wait until the first day of class so that your professor can share all options for course materials. Below are options to purchase books and cover the costs. 

HCC Bookstores

Textbooks and other materials are available for online purchase with home delivery or in-store pickup through the HCC Bookstore. Click here to view locations, hours of operation and how to know what books your course requires. 

Financial Aid or Online Bookstore Vouchers to Cover Costs for Books

Click here to learn your options to purchase books and course materials with financial aid and vouchers from Veteran Affairs, Texas Workforce, and Baker Ripley. 

Textbook Savings Program

The HCC Textbook Savings Program offers three options (see below) for courses with books that range from $0 - $40. All options of The HCC Textbook Savings Program classes are searchable within the Student Center (powered by PeopleSoft). Click here to learn how to find textbook savings courses when enrolling. 

  • Zero Cost Books - Students will have no textbook costs, as the course uses only free, online, open educational resources.

  • Low-Cost Books - Course materials for this course are part of the affordable learning initiative at HCC and are available for $40 or less.

  • First Day - Inclusive Access - First Day – Inclusive Access (FD-IA/SFD/Savings First Day) includes the cost of your digital learning materials as an additional course charge on your tuition & fee statement at the lowest possible bookstore rate found online in accordance with the Department of Education mandate.

It's highly recommended that you wait until the first day of class so that your professor can share all options for course materials. 

 

Library

As a student, you have access to a host of information resources through the HCC Libraries system. Please visit the Library for all your research and learning needs.

  • Contact
  • Resources
    • Visit the HCC Library website for resources on avoiding plagarism. 
    • Visit the HCC Library website for resources on style guides and citations.
    • Special services provided by the library system include photocopying facilities; specialized equipment for disabled students; group and personalized instruction in-library use, including a self-instructional media program to orient students to the use of the HCCS libraries; a “term paper” workshop; and online bibliographic search services.

 

Tutoring

Did you know that HCC has free tutoring for students? 

  • Option 1: For virtual and limited in-person tutoring, please www.hccs.edu/tutoring for more information.

  • Option 2: If you would like to submit a paper or assignment for feedback, please upload documents using following link: Upswing (hccs.upswing.io). All document submissions will be returned, generally within 18-24 hours. Please take ten minutes to watch the how-to video at the bottom of the Upswing log-in page.

 

Testing Online Requirements

HCC instructors may require online proctored (administered) exams. Your professor will communicate test requirements, schedule, and other important information on the course syllabus and/or Eagle Online (Canvas). To prevent academic dishonesty, students may be required to have a computer with a built-in camera and microphone, or a webcam connected to their computer. Additionally, speakers and/or headphones and a tool called Lockdown Browser may be required.

 

Student Support Services

Virtual Lobby | Enrollment, Advising, Financial Aid, and Payment Support

Through the Virtual Lobby, you can get help with enrollment, advising, financial aid, and payment arrangements. Visit www.hccs.edu/virtuallobby.  

 

Emergency Help

 Students facing financial emergencies are encouraged to:

  • Visit hccs.edu/emergencyhelp to apply for emergency aid you may be eligible to receive.
  • Visit hccs.edu/cares to learn about and access community resources for basic needs and mental health.

 

Mental Health

Having a hard time or want to reach out to talk to someone? Don’t forget you can access HCC’s Counseling Services. HCC Counselors are licensed professionals who offer free, short-term counseling to currently enrolled students. They can also point you to other free mental health resources to help you finish strong this semester. Click here to contact Counseling.