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Frequently Asked Questions

Alumni Email

Please note: In December of 2022, USC announced that all @alumni.usc.edu accounts would be converted to 2GB Gmail-only accounts beginning March 1, 2023, and that all users must be in compliance with these new storage standards as well as USC’s 2-Step Verification (2SV) security requirements.

Since that time, all active @alumni.usc.edu account holders received multiple communications regarding the impending loss of storage and features, and were informed that any accounts out of compliance with the storage requirements moving forward would be subject to deletion.

As of March 1, 2023, G-suite features such as Google Drive, Photos and Keep were turned off for all @alumni.usc.edu accounts and all Drive data was permanently deleted. Accounts that were out of compliance with security requirements were also permanently deleted. If your account was deleted and you would like to create a new @alumni.usc.edu account, you may do so by logging into FightOnline.

Moving forward, accounts that are out of compliance with any of the following requirements are subject to deletion:

  1. Accounts must have 2FA enabled
  2. Account storage must be limited to Gmail and must not exceed 2GB of data
  3. Account use must comply with USC policies and standards governing use.
  4. Accounts not logged into for more than one year will be considered inactive. Inactive accounts are subject to deletion at any time.

Please visit our Google Photos Compliance Instructions page if you need additional assistance in removing Google Photos storage from your account.

What is an @alumni.usc.edu Gmail account?
All degreed alumni are able to request access to an @alumni.usc.edu Gmail account following their degree conferral. This account is hosted on Google’s Gmail platform and is separate from the @usc.edu account that you had access to as a student, which will expire 12 months following graduation.

How do I sign up for an @alumni.usc.edu Gmail account?
In order to receive an @alumni.usc.edu Gmail account, you must first register using the FightOnline Alumni Portal. Once logged in, navigate to the “My Alumni Email” tab in My Profile to activate your alumni email. Once you have activated your alumni email account, a password reset will be sent to your preferred email address.*

* Please note: According to our terms of service, users are not permitted to use alumni email accounts for business purposes.

How do I log in to my @alumni.usc.edu Gmail account?
Alumni email accounts are hosted on Gmail. You can log in to your @alumni.usc.edu account through the Gmail sign in page.

I am locked out of my @alumni.usc.edu email account.
Since January 25, 2022, all @alumni.usc.edu Gmail users have been required to have two-factor authentication activated in order to access their accounts. Doing so provides an extra level of security when you are logging in to the system, and also enables you to reset your password, should you ever lose access to your account. If you do not have 2-Step Verification enabled, your account will be locked due to being out of compliance with the 2SV security requirement. To gain temporary access to your account, please complete a help request form. Once submitted, you should receive an email within a few days that to notify you that your account has been unlocked for 24 hours. Please note that you must log in and enable 2-Step Verification for your account within that 24-hour period to maintain access.

If you are still having trouble accessing your account after receiving your 24-hour notice, please clear your browser’s cache and cookies (located in the browser settings) or try to log in using “incognito” or a private browsing tab to see if that solves the problem. If you receive a 405 error, try typing the Gmail URL directly into your browser.

Why is 2-Step Verification required for my @alumni.usc.edu Gmail account?
This requirement is part of an ongoing effort by the USC Office of the Chief Information Security Officer to protect university-affiliated systems against cybersecurity attacks and unauthorized access. Setting up 2-Step Verification will also allow you to reset your password should the need arise. For more information on how to set up your Google 2SV, click here. Unfortunately, there is no exception to this rule. If you do not have 2-Step Verification enabled you will be out of compliance and unable to access your account.

How do I activate 2-Step Verification for my @alumni.usc.edu Gmail account?
Once you are granted temporary access to your account, please follow the steps below to activate 2SV for your account and ensure that you are in compliance:

  1. From your desktop or a web browser (not the Gmail app), log in to your @alumni.usc.edu account through the Gmail sign in page.
  2. Click on your profile icon in the top right corner, then select Manage your Google Account.
  3. In the navigation panel, select Security.
  4. Under “Signing into Google,” select 2-Step Verification.
  5. Follow the on-screen steps to add an alternate email and recovery phone number to your profile.

Once correctly enabled, a green check mark with the word “On” will appear next to “2 Step Verification” under “Security – Signing into Google” and it will ask you test to the recovery method you added.

If you receive an error message when attempting to log in, please first confirm that you have entered the password and email address correctly. If so, please clear your browser’s cache and cookies (located in the browser settings). You may also try to log in using “incognito” or a private browsing tab to see if that solves the problem. In addition, you can try the recovery link. If the problem persists, please check out the Google Error Report Form.

How do I reset my @alumni.usc.edu Gmail account password?
If you do not have 2-Step Verification enabled, please complete a help request form to request a password reset for your @alumni.usc.edu alumni Gmail account. Once submitted, you should receive an email within a few days that contains temporary credentials and additional instructions for logging in and enabling 2-Step Verification for your account.

What happens to my @usc.edu student email account after graduation?
Typically, your @usc.edu student account will be disabled twelve (12) months after your conferred degree date.

If you are still using your @usc.edu email account, please note that USC will require you to have DUO 2-factor authentication activated by January 20, 2022. Please visit this USC ITS department page for more information on this requirement, as well as a guide on how to activate DUO 2-factor authentication.

For additional information and assistance, please contact the USC ITS department via email or call (213) 740-5555.

Can I set up my @alumni.usc.edu Gmail account to forward my emails?
Yes, Gmail provides this feature. To forward your @alumni.usc.edu Gmail account, please follow these instructions.

Can I migrate my email data from my @usc.edu email to my new @alumni.usc.edu Gmail?
Due to storage limitations in @alumni.usc.edu Gmail accounts, you are not able to migrate data from your student account.

How do I send emails from a different address or alias?
Follow these instructions to set it up on Gmail.

How do GDPR laws affect my ability to receive USC Alumni Association emails?
If you currently reside in the EU or Great Britain, you may not be able to receive our emails without special consent, due to GDPR laws. If you would like to receive communications from the USC Alumni Association, contact us to formally request to be added to our email list. Please include your full name, date of birth, degree information and Alumni ID (if known).

Events

Who can attend USC Alumni Association Events?
While our events are meant to engage alumni, all are welcome to attend most USC Alumni Association events. For events that must be limited to a certain group, registration parameters will be defined on the registration page. All guests in attendance at USC Alumni Association events are expected to adhere to our established code of conduct.

How do I find events?
To find upcoming virtual and in-person events near you, visit our Events Calendar. You can also visit our Annual Traditions page to view events that the USC Alumni Association hosts annually.

I am having trouble with my registration.
Please clear your browser’s cache and cookies (located in the browser settings) or try to log in using “incognito” or a private browsing tab to see if that solves the problem. We strongly encourage using Chrome when possible. If you need further assistance, please contact us.

Can I host an event for the USC Alumni Association?
Yes! Hosting an event for fellow alumni and/or students is one of the many ways to stay involved with the USC Alumni Association. Visit our Volunteer page to learn more.

Why should I register for events through my FightOnline profile?
When registering for events, we highly recommend that you log into FightOnline alumni portal for an optimal experience, as doing so will pre-populate most of the required guest information for you. *Events hosted on alternate platforms may require additional login steps.

When you click the ‘Register’ button on any listing on the FightOnline Event Calendar, you’ll be given the option to either register as a FightOnline user or as a Guest. Clicking YES will allow you to log-in to your profile and register in just a few quick clicks.

FightOnline

What is the FightOnline alumni portal?
FightOnline is the official alumni portal of the USC Alumni Association, where you can connect with fellow Trojans, find USC events in your community, update your contact information, set your communication preferences and more!

I forgot my username.
FightOnline usernames will typically match the preferred email address that you have on file with USC. If you forgot your username, please contact us.

I forgot my password.
For security reasons, the USC Alumni Association does not keep passwords on file. To reset your password, click the Forgot Password link on the FightOnline login page and follow the instructions on the page. Please note, only users who have previously received a FightOnline registration invitation may request a password reset.

How do I register for FightOnline?
All degreed alumni should automatically receive an invitation to join FightOnline alumni portal once their degree has been conferred. The invitation will be sent to your preferred email address on file with USC.

My FightOnline invitation link has expired.
If you’ve yet to log in and the ‘reset password’ link you were sent has expired, please enter your email into the Forgot Password portal to be sent a new link.

Why should I register for events through my FightOnline profile?
When registering for events, we highly recommend that you log into FightOnline alumni portal for an optimal experience, as doing so will pre-populate most of the required guest information for you. *Events hosted on alternate platforms may require additional login steps.

When you click the ‘Register’ button on any listing on the FightOnline Event Calendar, you’ll be given the option to either register as a FightOnline user or as a Guest. Clicking YES will allow you to log-in to your profile and register in just a few quick clicks.

Why can’t I register using my Facebook or LinkedIn Accounts?
In order to register using your social media accounts, the email used as your FightOnline username must match the email associated with those accounts. Please note, only users who have previously received a FightOnline registration invitation will be able to log in via these accounts.

How do I find my Alumni ID?
Your eight-digit alumni ID number begins with a zero (i.e., 01234567) and can be found on the following: your alumni membership card, the mailing label of your personal copy of USC Trojan Family Magazine or in My Profile under the “Bio Details” tab.

If you need help finding your alumni ID, please contact us.

How do I view and edit fields in My Profile?
Log in to your account and navigate to My Profile to view your Bio Details, Contact Information, Communication Preferences, Involvements and Degree Information. To make changes, select the ‘Edit’ button on the top right corner of each page. When finished, click the ‘Apply Changes’ button to save.

How do I edit my profile photo?
Log in to your account and navigate to My Profile. At the top of the page, click the blue photo icon to edit your profile picture. Click the “Upload Files” button to select a photo from your desktop for upload (please note that photos should be under 1 mb and proportionally square). Once selected, press the “Upload Attachment” button to make it your new profile photo.

How do I change my physical address or other information with USC?
Log in to your account and click on the “Contact” tab in My Profile to change your address or other information.

How do I manage my communication preferences with the Alumni Association?
Log in to your account and then click on the “Communication Preferences” tab in My Profile to modify your preferences. To manage your email preferences, select the “Manage Subscription Preferences” link at the bottom of any USC Alumni Association email. Please note: This does not affect the communication you receive from other University departments.

How do I find a former USC classmate(s)?
Log in to your account, then navigate to the “Contact Search” engine in the Directory tab. Do a simple search by entering the criteria suggested or toggle “Advanced Search” on for a more detailed search by class year, major, etc.

Please note that while you are able to view your certificates within your profile, you are not able to search by certificate in the Directory.

Why can’t I message a fellow alum through the Directory?
Please note that messaging is only available if the alum you’re trying to message has also created a FightOnline profile.

FightOnline Communities

How can I join a group?
To join a group, simply select the group you’d like a join and press the ‘+ Join Group’ button at the top of the page. While you can automatically join any public group, if a group is private you will need to request access and be granted access by the group’s moderator.

How do I post in a group?
Enter a message or update in the text box at the top of your feed and click ‘Share’. Users can post updates, attach a file or a link, publish a poll, or ask a question.

What are my notification preferences?
The Communities portal will send you periodic updates on what is happening in each of your groups. You can configure your own email notification settings and control the number of notifications you receive directly within each group.

What are group topics?
Topics organize posts and threads within groups based on their subject matter. Click a topic to view other posts on that same subject. For example, clicking the #Football topic will show you more football posts across multiple groups. Be sure to tag each of your posts with a topic so that other alumni can find it and join the conversation!

Where can I find more information on each group?
The ‘Details’ tab within each group provides a description of the group’s purpose as well as information on popular topics and helpful resources such as rules.

How can I find all of the members of a group?
You can find each member of a group listed under ‘Members’ on the ‘Related’ tab.

Why can’t I see any posts in my feed?
If your feed is empty, you may have a filter on your feed that is hiding old posts. Be sure to check your filter settings and confirm that you are viewing ‘All Updates.’

How do I leave a group?
When viewing a group feed, you can opt to leave the group by hovering over the ‘Member’ button on the top right of the page. A ‘Leave Group’ button will appear, click it to remove yourself as a member.

Membership Card

What benefits come with my USC Alumni Association membership card?
All degreed alumni receive a variety of benefits ranging from discounts at on-campus eateries to library privileges. For details and a description of all benefits, click here.

How will my name be displayed on my membership card?
Membership cards include your legal first and last name along with suffix (e.g., Tommy Trojan Jr). If you would like to request a change to your legal name, please log in to the FightOnline alumni portal and select Submit Case from the dropdown menu.

How do I obtain my USC Alumni Association membership card?
All alumni may log in to the FightOnline alumni portal to request their digital membership card. While the physical card may still be used as proof of membership, we encourage all alumni to download the digital card for use on campus. Please note, the turnaround time to receive your digital membership card email is 24-48 hours.

How do I replace my digital card?
If you lose access to your digital card. Contact us and we will send you a replacement card.

How do I download my digital card to my mobile wallet?
To add your card to your mobile wallet, simply follow the instructions in your card delivery email. This email will be delivered by digitalcard@alumnicenter.usc.edu within 24 hours. Please note, for Android users, we recommend using Google Wallet for the best experience possible while using your digital membership card.

Recent graduates: Once your degree is conferred, you will receive an email inviting you to create an alumni profile on the FightOnline alumni portal where you can request your digital membership card.

Physical Card Requests: As of spring 2021, physical membership cards have been discontinued.

Benefits

What career benefits are available to alumni?
Career benefits include free access to connectSC job listings, one complimentary counseling session with the USC Career Center, career webinars, events and more. For more information, visit our Career Services page.

How can I access USC Libraries or check out books?
USC alumni with proper identification may be present in libraries open after 9:00 p.m. or before 7:00 a.m. All alumni will be asked to present their Alumni Association card and government-issued picture ID. To learn more, visit the Library’s website and navigate to the alumni tab.

Can alumni obtain remote access to the online libraries?
Remote access to digital resources such as JSTOR, ProQuest, Project MUSE, Lexis Nexis, etc. is restricted to current students.

Do you offer insurance for alumni?
Yes. Visit our Special Offers page for more details.

Please note: All alumni benefits are available based on the current policies and are subject to change. Please continue to check our website for the most up to date information about alumni benefits.

Joining and Other

How do I become a member of the USC Alumni Association?
If you earned a degree from USC, congratulations! You are automatically a member of the USC Alumni Association and there are no dues or renewal fees.

What are the official online networking platforms of the USC Alumni Association?
In addition to our various social media channels, we are proud to provide two online communities where USC alumni can build connections with fellow Trojans – the FightOnline alumni portal and Trojan Network platforms.

While these are the only official platforms affiliated with the USC Alumni Association, some USC schools host additional resources for connecting with alumni.

Please note that any invitation to join an official USC platform should come from an @usc.edu email address.

How do GDPR laws affect my ability to receive USC Alumni Association emails as a resident of the EU?
If you are currently reside in the EU, you may not be contactable due to GDPR laws and require special consent to receive our emails. If you would like to receive communications from the Alumni Association, submit a help request form and we’ll help provide specific instructions on how to do so.

What are the benefits of the USC Alumni Association?
Please visit our Alumni Benefits page for a complete list of benefits, including career benefits, online resources and on-campus discounts, as well as special offers exclusively for USC alumni.

How do I connect with alumni in my community?
From networking to socializing…there are so many reasons to connect with Trojans near you — and so many ways. Visit our Alumni Near You page to explore the various ways you can connect with the powerful USC Alumni network, no matter where you are in the world.

I need proof of my membership.
Every degreed graduate of USC is automatically a member of the USC Alumni Association. Alumni can show their official hard copy or digital membership card as proof of membership. To request your official membership card, log in to the FightOnline alumni portal and navigate to the My Alumni Card tab under the Profile dropdown menu in the top right corner of the page.

How do I submit a class note?
Class Notes are submitted through USC Trojan Family Magazine. More information

How do I order a transcript or diploma?
USC’s Office of Academic Records and Registrar manages all transcript and diploma requests. More information

As an alum, how do I purchase season or individual football tickets?
Visit the USC Ticket Office. If you are interested in getting more information on Cardinal and Gold, contact the Athletic Department at (213) 740-4155.

Where can I find out more information about USC Associates?
Contact USC Associates at (213) 740-8722 or visit them online.

I have a question regarding USC Trojan Family Magazine. How do I contact the magazine?
Visit the USC Trojan Family Magazine Contact Us page.