Connecting to Campus WiFi (eduroam)

Eduroam Wi-Fi Setup & Connection Guide

Eduroam is a secure Wi-Fi network used by colleges, universities, research institutions, and other participating education organizations. Once eduroam is set up correctly on your device, it can connect automatically at MGCC and at many participating eduroam locations worldwide.

Quick Summary

  • The recommended setup method is the geteduroam app.
  • When asked to choose your organization, search for Virginia Community College System.
  • Students should sign in using their full VCCS student email address, such as username@email.vccs.edu.
  • Use your current myMGCC password.
  • If eduroam used to work but no longer connects, remove or forget the old eduroam network and set it up again.

1. Before You Start

Before setting up eduroam, make sure you have:

  • Your full VCCS student email address, such as username@email.vccs.edu.
  • Your current myMGCC password.
  • An internet connection if you are downloading the geteduroam app or an eduroam CAT installer.
  • Your device with Wi-Fi turned on.

Important:

For eduroam, your username is usually your full VCCS student email address. Entering only your username without @email.vccs.edu may cause the connection to fail.

2. Recommended Method: Use the geteduroam App

The geteduroam app is the recommended setup method for most personal devices because it helps configure eduroam with the correct organization profile.

  1. Download the geteduroam app from your device’s app store, or visit geteduroam.
  2. Open the app.
  3. When prompted to select your organization, search for Virginia Community College System.
  4. Enter your full VCCS student email address, such as username@email.vccs.edu.
  5. Enter your current myMGCC password.
  6. Follow the prompts to install or save the eduroam Wi-Fi profile.
  7. After setup is complete, connect to the eduroam Wi-Fi network.

Tip

If you do not see MGCC listed, search for Virginia Community College System. Eduroam is configured at the VCCS level, not always by individual college name.

3. Returning Users: Eduroam Used to Work but Stopped

If you previously connected to eduroam but your device no longer connects, your saved Wi-Fi profile may be outdated or your password may have changed.

Try This First

  1. Open your device’s Wi-Fi settings.
  2. Select the saved eduroam network.
  3. Choose Forget This Network, Forget Network, or Remove.
  4. Restart Wi-Fi on your device.
  5. Set up eduroam again using the geteduroam app.

Password Change Reminder:

If you recently changed your myMGCC password, you may need to forget eduroam and reconnect using your new password.

4. Manual Setup: Windows, macOS, iPhone, and iPad

If you are on campus and prefer to connect manually through your device’s Wi-Fi settings, use the general steps below.

  1. Open your device’s Wi-Fi settings.
  2. Select eduroam from the available Wi-Fi networks.
  3. For the username or identity, enter your full VCCS student email address, such as username@email.vccs.edu.
  4. For the password, enter your current myMGCC password.
  5. Select Connect or Join.
  6. If prompted to trust or accept a certificate, follow the on-screen prompt only if the network name is eduroam and you intentionally started the connection.

5. Manual Setup: Android Devices

Android devices may show additional Wi-Fi security fields. The exact labels may vary by Android version and device manufacturer.

Android Setting Use This Value
EAP Method PEAP
Phase 2 Authentication MSCHAPv2
CA Certificate Use system certificates
Domain vccs.edu
Identity Your full VCCS student email address, such as username@email.vccs.edu
Anonymous Identity Leave blank
Password Your current myMGCC password

Recommendation

If Android setup fails manually, forget the eduroam network and use the geteduroam app instead.

6. Chromebooks and ChromeOS Devices

For Chromebooks and ChromeOS devices, the eduroam Configuration Assistant Tool may provide a ChromeOS configuration file when available for your organization.

  1. Go to eduroam CAT.
  2. Select the option to download an installer.
  3. Search for Virginia Community College System.
  4. Choose the ChromeOS option if available.
  5. Follow the instructions provided by eduroam CAT for importing the configuration.
  6. Connect to eduroam and sign in using your full VCCS student email address and myMGCC password.

7. Device-Specific VCCS Eduroam Guides

If you need screenshots or device-specific instructions, use the VCCS Eduroam guides below.

8. Troubleshooting: Eduroam Will Not Connect

If eduroam does not connect, try the steps below before submitting a support request.

Step 1: Check Your Login Format

  • Use your full VCCS student email address, such as username@email.vccs.edu.
  • Do not enter only your username.
  • Use your current myMGCC password.

Step 2: Forget and Reconnect

  1. Forget or remove the saved eduroam network from your device.
  2. Restart Wi-Fi on your device.
  3. Reconnect using the geteduroam app or the manual setup steps above.

Step 3: Check Your Password

  • If your password recently changed, update the saved eduroam connection.
  • If you are unsure whether your password is correct, try signing in to myMGCC.

Step 4: Check the Device

  • Restart your device.
  • Turn Wi-Fi off and back on.
  • Make sure airplane mode is off.
  • Move to another campus location where eduroam signal may be stronger.

9. Common Questions

Q: Should I search for MGCC or VCCS in the geteduroam app?

A: Search for Virginia Community College System.

Q: What username should I use?

A: Students should use their full VCCS student email address, such as username@email.vccs.edu.

Q: What password should I use?

A: Use your current myMGCC password.

Q: Eduroam worked before, but now it does not. What should I try?

A: Forget or remove the saved eduroam network, then set it up again using the geteduroam app. If your myMGCC password changed recently, reconnect using the new password.

Q: Can I use eduroam at other colleges?

A: Eduroam is designed for use at participating education and research institutions. Once configured correctly, your device may connect automatically at other participating eduroam locations.

Q: Should I use MGCC-Guest instead?

A: If you are an MGCC student, eduroam is the recommended Wi-Fi network for your personal device. Guest networks may have different access limits and may not provide the same experience as eduroam.

10. Need Technical Assistance?

If you are on campus and still cannot connect after trying the steps above, contact the MGCC I.T. Help Desk.

Include This Information

  • Your full name
  • Your VCCS student email address
  • The type of device you are using
  • The operating system, if known
  • Whether you used the geteduroam app or manual setup
  • The exact error message, if one appears
  • Whether eduroam worked previously on the same device

Privacy Reminder:

Do not send your password, Social Security Number, banking information, or other sensitive personal information in a support ticket or email.

References

TDX Search Tags

eduroam wifi wi-fi wireless geteduroam cat.eduroam.org vccs wifi student wifi android eduroam iphone eduroam windows eduroam mac eduroam chromebook eduroam email.vccs.edu myMGCC password

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