Student Password Information

According to the District's Security Plan, all student passwords administratively expired annually. Your password is used to access the following systems: SURF, Blackboard, Wireless Network Access (Wi-Fi), Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP), Lab Printing, and some Library Online Databases (contact the Library for more info).

New Students

Students who are new to MiraCosta College and have received their SURF ID and password from Admissions and Records cannot reset this password until the following day after 7 a.m. Further, if you have NOT received your SURF ID/Password, you may retrieved it online by following the below steps:

Ensure that pop-ups are enabled in the Internet browser; click here to learn how.
On the SURF Login page, click Get your student SURF ID & password here.
On the Password Management System | Challenge-response page, answer all of the questions correctly. Click Continue.
On the Password Management System | Main menu page, note the SURF ID in red on the left side (SURF ID: W#######), click Change passwords.
On the Password Management System | Change passwords for (student name) [W#######] page, enter a new password in the New password field and re-type it in the Confirm field. Refer to the password criteria when entering your password.
Click Change passwords.
Click Close this window button and login to your online system.

Current / Returning Students

Students who are currently attending or have attended the immediate past semester may reset their password here:

Ensure that pop-ups are enabled in the Internet browser; click here to learn how.
On the SURF Login page, click Reset your Student Password.
On the Password Management System | Self-service login page, enter your SURF ID in the Login ID for SURF field. Click the Log in button.
In the Password Management System | Select an authentication method page, select either method:
- Select Use a password ONLY if you remember your OLD PASSWORD, enter your old password and click Continue.
- Otherwise, select Answer personal questions and answer the three requests listed within the Challenge-response page. Click Continue.
In the Main menu page, click Change passwords.
On the Password Management System | Change passwords for (student name) [W#######] page, enter a new password in the New password field and re-type it in the Confirm field. Refer to the password criteria when entering your password.
Click Change passwords.
If your password was successfully changed, a confirmation will display on the Password change results page. Click the Close this window button.
Upon return to the SURF Login page, enter the SURF ID and new Password. Click Sign In.

Former Students

Contact the Student HelpDesk to receive your SURF ID and a temporary password. See Contact information.

Password Requirements

Password must include:

at least eight characters
at least one number
at least two letters
upper-case letters (A-Z)
lower-case letters (a-z)

Password cannot have:

more than two pairs of repeating characters
your username with the letters rearranged
personal information (e.g. first and/or last names)
spaces (can use the underscore symbol _)
control characters (e.g., return, tab, etc.)

Password Recommendations

Include at least 16 characters
Include symbols
Be a passphrase rather than a password (i.e., write a full sentence for your password)