ESTHER FAQs

What is ESTHER?

ESTHER, an acronym that stands for Employee and Student Tools, Help, and Electronic Resources, is a self-service web application for students, faculty, and staff. Students use this application to access their academic records, register for classes, view financial aid, and more. Faculty and staff use ESTHER for grade entry, view course rosters, and access Degree Works among others.

What can I do on ESTHER?

Students

  • Update your contact information
  • Register, add, and drop courses
  • View your course schedule
  • Access your final grades
  • View your unofficial transcript
  • Access Degree Works
  • Identify any holds on your account
  • Order an official transcript
  • Download your CeDiploma
  • Print your degree application
  • View financial aid information
  • Review charges and payments
  • Pay your account online
  • View Course & Instructor Evaluation comments for previous semesters

Faculty and Staff

  • View your course rosters
  • Enter final grades
  • Access Degree Works
  • View Course & Instructor Evaluation comments for previous semesters
How do I access ESTHER?

Students and alumni should log in to ESTHER with their NetID and password, after which they will be prompted to authenticate using Duo, a security authentication tool.

Alumni who pre-date the ESTHER system (prior to 2004) should use the ESTHER Pin Login method to access ESTHER. See the question below: "What is my ESTHER User ID?" for additional information.

What is a NetID?

A NetID is a combination of your initials and numbers (e.g. abc123) and is not the same as your Rice Student ID. A NetID (and password) allows you access to many Rice applications and systems.

What is Duo?

Duo is a tool used to improve access security by using two-factor authentication. After a user logs in to a system with their username and password, Duo sends a notification to the user to verify their identity through an easy, one-tap authentication on a smartphone, smartwatch, or tablet, or through an automated phone call. This type of authentication protects Rice systems against cyber attacks, phishing, etc.

Whom should I contact if I have forgotten my NetID and password, and/or need assistance with Duo?

Please reach out to the OIT Help Desk for assistance with Duo, NetID, and/or password.

Website: https://oit.rice.edu/request-help
Phone: 713-348-HELP (4357)
Email: helpdesk@rice.edu

What is my ESTHER User ID?

Your User ID in ESTHER is your Rice Student ID. Please keep in mind that in ESTHER, your Rice Student ID (S12345678) is case-sensitive and the letter S is followed by eight numeric characters.

When I am trying to reset my ESTHER PIN Login, it tells me to re-enter my old PIN. What does this mean?

Your “Old Login PIN” is your current Login PIN; the one you just used to access the system; the one you are trying to change.

What do I do if my ESTHER PIN Login does not work?

Try typing your User ID and PIN again to ensure there aren't any typos. The User ID and PIN are both case-sensitive.

If assistance is needed to reset your ESTHER PIN, please send a request to registrar@rice.edu from your Rice alumni email account.

What if I forgot my ESTHER login credentials or my ESTHER account is locked or disabled?

Alumni who need assistance with their ESTHER login credentials (Student ID or ESTHER PIN) should send a request to registrar@rice.edu from their Rice alumni email account.

How do I sign up for a Rice alumni email address?

For alumni who have not yet created a Rice alumni email address or account, please complete the ESTHER Access Request Form and upload the completed form along with copies of supporting documentation via the Office of the Registrar's secure upload mechanism.

Does ESTHER ever have downtimes?

Yes. To find the schedule of downtimes, check the Administrative Systems webpage.