How to set up your Ohio State login and BuckeyeMail

Follow the directions below to:

  • activate your Ohio State username (lastname.#)
  • create your password
  • set up your BuckeyeMail account

From now on, Ohio State will send most important (and time-sensitive) business communications to your BuckeyeMail account, so be sure to check it regularly!

Select the description that applies to you:

I have NOT already activated my Ohio State username.

  1. Locate your Ohio State username

    We have created a username for you based on your last name: lastname.#. Look for it at the top of your notice of admission letter and on other correspondence from us.

  2. Request an Activation Code

    Go to my.osu.edu and click the Activate Now! button. Click I need an Activation Code and follow the prompts. An activation code will be emailed to you at the email address you select.

  3. Activate your username, create a password and enable BuckeyeMail

    When you receive the email with your activation code, return to my.osu.edu and click the Activate Now! button again.

    • This time, select I have an Activation Code. Enter your username and the activation code we emailed to you.

    • Follow the instructions to complete the process.

    • In the final step, select "Deliver my email to BuckeyeMail, the university's email service" and submit.

I HAVE already activated my Ohio State username.

If you've already activated your username and created a password (you may have done this as an applicant in order to check your application status), your final step is to set up your BuckeyeMail account.

  1. Go to my.osu.edu and log in.

  2. On the left side of the page, click Change Email Delivery.

  3. Select Create my BuckeyeMail account and submit.

Once your request has been processed (allow up to 90 minutes), you'll be able to log in at buckeyemail.osu.edu to receive and send email. Your email address is: lastname.#@buckeyemail.osu.edu.

Did you forget your username or password? Go to my.osu.edu and follow the directions in the "Current users" box.

BuckeyePass (Duo) authentication

Ohio State requires two-factor authentication when logging in to most services and applications. If you haven't already done so, you'll need to register for BuckeyePass before you can take certain actions (like logging in to your Applicant Center to accept your admission offer or logging in to My Financial Aid to accept your financial aid offer). BuckeyePass is powered by Duo Security.

Check your email regularly

Once you've set up your BuckeyeMail account, log in at buckeyemail.osu.edu to receive and send email. Your email address is: lastname.#@buckeyemail.osu.edu.

Check BuckeyeMail several times a week until school begins, and then daily.

Run into a problem?

If you have issues at any step of this process, contact our IT Service Desk at 614-688-4357 or 8help@osu.edu.