Introduction
As a benefit of Columbia College's relationship with Microsoft, students can access the latest version of Microsoft Office 365 completely free of charge. This includes the full Office productivity suite — Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and more — available to you for as long as you are an enrolled Columbia College student and Microsoft continues the Student Advantage program.
●Install on up to 5 compatible PCs or Macs, plus 5 tablets (including iPad)
●Gain valuable skills on the world's most popular productivity software
●Use the same programs as your professors to ensure full file compatibility
Applies to: Students
Before You Begin
●You will need your Columbia College myPortal username (formatted as yourusername@ccis.edu) and your myPortal password.
●Your CougarMail address (ending in @cougars.ccis.edu) will NOT work for this sign-in — use your @ccis.edu address only.
●Ensure your device meets Microsoft 365's current system requirements. Visit Microsoft's system requirements page for the latest compatibility information.
Setup Instructions
How to Access & Install Office 365
1 Navigate to the Microsoft Office Portal
2 Sign In with Your Columbia College Credentials
Enter your Columbia College account credentials when prompted.
●Enter your username formatted as yourusername@ccis.edu and your myPortal password.
●Do not use your CougarMail address (e.g., yourusername@cougars.ccis.edu) — this will not grant access to Office 365 licenses.
●Click Sign In to continue.
3 Access the Software Installation Page
After signing in, you will be taken to the Microsoft 365 home page where you can install Office on your computer or tablet.
●Click on Install apps (or Install and more, depending on your view) in the upper-right area of the page.
●Select Microsoft 365 apps from the dropdown to begin the download.
4 Run the Installer and Complete Setup
Once the installer file has downloaded, open it and follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation of Microsoft Office on your device.
●When prompted to sign in during setup, use your @ccis.edu credentials again.
●If prompted about device management, ensure you uncheck the "Allow my organization to manage my device" option on personal devices.
Note for Chromebook Users
If you are using a Chromebook, desktop application downloads are not supported on ChromeOS. You can still access the full online versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other Office tools through your browser at office.com.
⚠ Microsoft Project — Windows Devices Only
If you are enrolled in a course that requires Microsoft Project, please be aware of the following important limitations before attempting to install or access the application:
●Microsoft Project is only available on Windows devices. It is not compatible with macOS, ChromeOS, iPadOS, or any other non-Windows operating system.
●If you are on a Windows device, you can access Microsoft Project by signing in to office.com, navigating to Apps & Devices in the left-hand menu, and downloading Microsoft Project from there.
●If you are not on a Windows device (e.g., Mac, Chromebook, iPad), you will need to request access to a Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) environment, which allows you to run a Windows desktop remotely from any device.
To request VDI access, please submit a support ticket using the link in the Get Help section below. Include your name, student ID, course name, and a note that you require VDI access for Microsoft Project. The Technology Solutions Center will assist you in getting set up.
Support & Assistance
Get Help
If you encounter any issues accessing or installing Microsoft Office 365, or if you need to request VDI access for Microsoft Project, contact the Technology Solutions Center at 573-875-4357 or use the resources below: