Your NetID is your electronic identity at Northwestern. The most common format of a NetID is a combination of three letters (often related to your name) and three or four numbers. Your NetID is different from your seven-digit student/employee number.
You will use your NetID to access important University systems including, but not limited to:
- Northwestern email (Microsoft 365/Outlook)
- Canvas
- Microsoft 365 (OneDrive, SharePoint, Teams)
- myHR
- Northwestern online directory
- Northwestern Library online resources
- Grades and transcripts (CAESAR)
- Kronos Time System
- Campus wireless networks
- Off-campus access to the Northwestern network (VPN)
Based on your University affiliation (faculty, staff, student, or a combination of staff/student, etc.), your NetID provides you with role-specific access to University systems and resources.
Using your NetID
NetIDs are provided to active members of the University community as a result of having been entered into myHR (faculty/staff) or CAESAR (students). If you are a faculty or staff member, Human Resources has entered your personal information into myHR. If you are a student, the University Registrar has entered your personal information.
You must activate your NetID before you can use it. You will be notified when your NetID has been created and you can begin the NetID activation process. Faculty and staff receive information about NetID activation from their department NetID coordinator. Students receive their NetID Activation Code from their school or the Admissions Office.