Setting up your APSU account for the first time? The APSU GovsTech Help Desk is available to assist with account access, password setup, and authentication questions. If account changes or a password reset are needed, Help Desk staff may be required to verify your identity before updating your account for security purposes.

First-Time Setup Guide 

IMPORTANT MULTIFACTOR AUTHENTICATION ( MFA) NOTICE Students must set up MFA themselves using a phone they personally own, keep with them, and can access whenever they sign in. Parents, guardians, and other family members SHOULD NOT set up MFA on a student’s behalf.

FALL 2026 SIGN-IN CHANGE Use your full APSU student email address throughout this guide: username@students.apsu.edu.

Before You Begin

• Use a computer if possible and keep your smartphone nearby.
• Have the APSU Welcome email containing your temporary password.
• Know your full APSU student email address.
• Install Microsoft Authenticator from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

USE YOUR FULL EMAIL ADDRESS Whenever you are asked for your APSU sign-in, enter your complete student email address, including @students.apsu.edu.

Step 1: Open a Private Browser Window

Open an InPrivate window in Microsoft Edge or an Incognito window in Google Chrome. Complete every remaining step in this private window.

Tip: A private window helps prevent another Microsoft or APSU account from interfering with setup.

Step 2: Begin Your First Sign-In

Starting October 13^th, 2026, you may start at either OneStop or Outlook.

 

Open Outlook   |   Open OneStop

Step 3: Enter Your APSU Student Email

Enter your full APSU student email address, including @students.apsu.edu, and select Next.

 

Step 4: Use Your Temporary Password

Enter the temporary password from your APSU Welcome email, then select Sign in.

Step 5: Create Your New APSU Password

Replace the temporary password with a new password that is at least 16 characters long, enter it again, and submit the change.

Tip: A multi-word passphrase is easier to remember. Do not reuse a password from another service.

Step 6: Start Microsoft Authenticator Setup

When you see More information required or Let’s keep your account secure, select Next and choose Microsoft Authenticator.

Step 7: Scan the QR Code

On your phone, open Microsoft Authenticator, select +, choose Work or school account, select Scan QR code, and scan the code displayed on the computer.

Please note if you do not have the Microsoft Authenticator app, you will need to install it during this step.

 

Step 8: Approve the Test Request

Return to the computer and select Next. If a number appears, enter that number in Microsoft Authenticator and approve the request.

SECURITY REMINDER Never approve an Authenticator request you did not initiate. An unexpected prompt can mean someone else is trying to access your account.

Step 9: Verify Outlook Access

Open Outlook and confirm that you can access your APSU student mailbox using your full student email address and new password.

Return to Outlook

Step 10: Verify OneStop Access

Open OneStop, select Login, enter your full APSU student email address and new password, then complete the Authenticator prompt if one appears.

Open OneStop

Quick Setup Order

BEFORE October 13th, 2026 Outlook > Change password > Microsoft Authenticator > Verify Outlook > Verify OneStop

AFTER October 13th, 2026 OneStop or Outlook > Change password > Microsoft Authenticator > Verify Outlook and OneStop

Troubleshooting

Incorrect username or password

Confirm that you entered your complete APSU student email address, including @students.apsu.edu. Then try again in a new private browser window.

Temporary password does not work

Use the password from your APSU Welcome email and make sure no extra spaces were included. If you previously attended or worked for APSU, do not assume an older APSU password is the temporary password.

OneStop will not accept the new password

First confirm that the new password works in Outlook. Close the browser, open a new private window, and try OneStop again using your full student email address and new password.

Microsoft Authenticator is not working

If you can still sign in, review your methods in Security Info. If you cannot authenticate or access your account, contact the GOVSTECH Help Desk.

Need Help?

APSU GOVSTECH HELP DESK Phone: 931-221-4357 Email: govstech@apsu.edu If a password or authentication reset is required, the Help Desk may need to verify your identity before making changes to the account.