The essentials, answered. Tap any question to expand it.
Stamps How do I earn a stamp?
Each stamp is tied to a real thing you do on campus. You earn it one of four ways: enter a secret code an office gives you, scan the QR code at an event, check in on location when you're there, or add a photo as proof (like your FAFSA confirmation). The app tells you which method each stamp uses.
Stamps My stamp didn't show up. What now?
First, pull down to refresh your passport. If it's still missing, double-check you used the right code or scanned the correct QR. Sometimes a connection hiccup is the culprit — try again with a stable signal. If it still won't appear, message us with the stamp name and roughly when you completed it, and we'll add it.
Sign in How do I sign in?
Use your Southwestern College student account — the same login you use for other campus services. The app never sees your password; sign-in goes through the college's secure login. Once you're in, your passport is ready.
Sign in I can't log in. Help?
Make sure you're using your full Southwestern student credentials. If your campus password isn't working in general, reset it through the college's standard process first, then try again. If login fails only in the app, close and reopen it, check for an update, and confirm you have a connection. Still stuck? Reach out below.
Scanning The QR scanner won't work.
The scanner needs camera permission. If you declined it the first time, go to your phone's Settings → FYE Passport → and turn Camera on. Good lighting and holding steady help too. The camera is only used while you're actively scanning.
Check-in Location check-in isn't stamping.
Location stamps only work when you're actually at the venue and you grant location permission at the moment you tap check in. Make sure location is enabled for the app and that you're inside the event area. The app never tracks your location in the background — it only checks the one time you ask it to.
Alerts How do I manage notifications?
Notifications are optional. Turn them on to get event reminders and badge-unlock alerts. You can switch them off anytime in your phone's Settings → FYE Passport → Notifications. Turning them off won't affect the rest of the app.
Data What does the app collect about me?
Very little: your name and student account (from sign-in), your passport progress (stored on your device), and a notification token if you opt into alerts. No ads, no tracking, no selling your data. Full details are in our Privacy Policy.
Quick fixes
Before you message us, try this
Most hiccups clear up with one of these. They take about ten seconds each.
1
Pull to refresh
On your passport, swipe down to refresh. A lot of "missing stamp" cases fix themselves here.
2
Check your permissions
Camera for scanning, location for check-ins, notifications for reminders — confirm they're enabled in Settings → FYE Passport.
3
Close, update, reopen
Fully close the app, check the App Store / Play Store for an update, then reopen. Make sure you're on a stable connection.
Contact us
Send us a message
Tell us what's going on — including reporting a problem with a specific stamp or event — and we'll get back to you by email.
Prefer email?
Reach the First-Year Experience team directly. Include your name and, if it helps, the stamp or event involved.