Self Service Activation for Sponsored & Resource Accounts - Account Recipient Instructions

Body

A Sponsored or Resource Pitt computing account has been created for you, the account recipient, and the steps in this article walk you through the process of activating it using the self-service activation process. You will confirm your identity with a One‑Time Passcode (OTP) sent to your email address or phone number, then choose your own password.

No initial password will be provided. To begin the self-service activation process, you need to begin with the activation email described in step 1 below.

Important: two time limits apply

  • The activation email expires 72 hours after it is sent. After that, self-service activation locks, and you will need help from the Responsibility Center Account Administrator who created your account.
  • Once you click Begin >, you have 15 minutes to finish. Have your previously provided first name, last name, and phone number ready before you start.

Activating your account

  1. Open the email notification informing you that your Pitt computing account is ready for activation, then click the activation link inside it.

    Activation email

    From
    Pitt Digital, helpdesk@pitt.edu
    Subject
    Activate Your University of Pittsburgh Account

    Your University Computing Account is ready for activation. Your University Computing Account is your key to accessing technology resources at the University of Pittsburgh including email, timecard entry, account management, and PittNet Wi‑Fi.

    To activate your account:

    1. Visit activateaccount.pitt.edu/sponsored, read the information on the page, then click Begin.
    2. Enter your First Name, Last Name, and Phone Number.
    3. Request your Confirmation Code.
    4. Enter your Confirmation Code.
    5. Set up your Password Reset Questions.
    6. Set up your Password.

    NOTE: You must activate your account within 72 hours of receiving this email.

    Please contact the 24/7 Technology Help Desk at +1‑412‑624‑HELP (4357) if you have any questions regarding account activation, or if 72 hours have passed since receiving this email and your account has not been activated.

  2. Read the Sponsored Account Activation page, then click Begin >. Your 15 minutes begins at this time. You will receive your username at the end of the process.

    The Sponsored Account Activation welcome page, listing the first name, last name, and phone number needed before starting, with a Begin button at the bottom.
    The Sponsored Account Activation welcome page.

  3. Enter the First Name, Last Name, and Phone Number used when your account was created, then click Next >. All three must match, or the page will not accept them.

    The Step 1, Confirm Your Identity page, with empty First Name, Last Name, and Phone Number fields above a Next button.
    Step 1 – Confirm Your Identity.

  4. Choose where to receive your One-Time Passcode (OTP), also called Confirmation Code, then click Send Text or Send Email. Each button shows a masked version of the destination it will be delivered to. The phone number must be able to receive text messages; if it cannot, use the email option.

    The Step 2, Request Your Confirmation Code page. A Send Text button appears beside a partially masked phone number, and a Send Email button appears beside a partially masked email address.
    Step 2 – Request Your Confirmation Code.

  5. Your Confirmation Code arrives by email or text message, depending on the option you chose. Enter it into the provided entry field.

    Confirmation code email

    From
    Pitt Digital, helpdesk@pitt.edu
    Subject
    Your University Computing Account Confirmation Code

    You received this email because you are in the process of activating your University Computing Account at the University of Pittsburgh.

    Your Confirmation Code is: 953703 (example only, use the code in your own message)

    Please copy and paste this code into the designated field to continue with the account activation process.

    Confirmation code text message

    University of Pittsburgh – Account Activation Confirmation Code: 738976 (example only, use the code in your own message)

  6. Read the University Technology Use Policy. Then select the check box labeled “I accept the above University Policy regarding proper use of University computing services,” and click Next >. You cannot continue without accepting. The page also links to the University of Pittsburgh Policy on Computer Access and Use if you want to view the full policy text.

    The Step 4, Accept University Technology Use Policy page. A scrollable list of improper uses of University computing resources appears above an acceptance check box and a Next button.
    Step 4 – Accept University Technology Use Policy.

  7. Select three password reset questions and type an answers for each, then click Next >. All three paired fields are required. These answers let you reset your own password later, so choose ones you will remember.

    The Step 5, Set Your Password Reset Questions page, with three question menus and three matching answer fields above a Next button.
    Step 5 – Set Your Password Reset Questions.

  8. Enter your new password twice to confirm, then click Next >. It replaces the temporary password created when your account was set up.

    The criteria appear on the page. Your password must:

    • Be 15 to 30 characters long.
    • Include at least one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, and one number.
    • Include at least one special character, such as + @ # or $.
    • Avoid these characters entirely: _ . ` , < > & ! (underscore, period, backtick, comma, less than, greater than, ampersand, exclamation point).
    • Omit your username, first name, last name, and nickname.
    • Differ from your last 24 passwords, and from any password you used in the past 365 days.

    Passwords are case sensitive and must never be shared. For full guidance, see Password Best Practices and Standards.

    The Step 6, Set Your Password page, listing the password criteria above the Password and Confirm Password fields and a Next button.
    Step 6 – Set Your Password.

  9. Your account is now active. The Account Activated page shows your Pitt username and Pitt email address, which you will use with the password you just set. Record both, then close the page.

    The page also points to My Pitt, My Account, Forgot Password, the 24/7 IT Help Desk, and Multifactor Authentication. Multifactor Authentication uses the Duo Security application, and you will need to set up Duo the first time you log in. You can find the Duo setup knowledge base article here: Multifactor Authentication with Duo: Setup, Methods, and Troubleshooting.

    The Account Activated page, showing the new Pitt username and Pitt email address above a list of helpful resources.
    The Account Activated confirmation page.

  10. A final email, Account Successfully Activated, arrives at the same inbox that received the activation link. Keep it, because it repeats your Pitt username and Pitt email address. You can now use your account to reach University computing resources.

Troubleshooting

Activation problems and what to do
Problem What to do
Your activation email is more than 72 hours old Locked. The link no longer works. Contact your Responsibility Center Account Administrator or the 24/7 Technology Help Desk for help gaining access.
The pages stop responding partway through Your 15 minutes have probably run out. Return to the activation page and click Begin > to start over, as long as you are still inside the 72‑hour window.
No one-time passcode arrives by text message The number on file may not accept text messages. Click Send Email to get your one-time passcode by email instead.
Your name or phone number is not accepted All three details must match what was entered when your account was created. Ask your Responsibility center Account Administrator to confirm the information that was used.
Your new password is rejected Check it against the criteria in step 8, especially the 15‑character minimum and the characters you cannot use.

Get help

Call the 24/7 Technology Help Desk at +1‑412‑624‑HELP (4357) if you have questions, or if more than 72 hours have passed and your account is still not active.

Details

Details

Article ID: 3859
Created
Tue 8/11/26 2:59 PM
Modified
Wed 8/12/26 4:20 PM