---
title: Configure MFA methods for users
description: How to configure Passport Login MFA factors for teachers and students in SchoolDay, including grade-based alternative authentication methods.
---

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August 29, 2026

# Configure MFA methods for users

## Set authentication factors for teachers and students in SchoolDay Login, including grade-level alternative methods for younger students.

**In this article**

> [Requirements](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/configure-mfa-passport-login#requirements)
> 
> [Configure MFA for teachers](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/configure-mfa-passport-login#teachers)
> 
> [Configure MFA for students](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/configure-mfa-passport-login#students)
> 
> [How Alternative Methods work](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/configure-mfa-passport-login#alt-methods)
> 
> [Troubleshooting](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/configure-mfa-passport-login#troubleshooting)
> 
> [Related articles](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/configure-mfa-passport-login#related)

You configure authentication factors separately for teachers and students. Student configuration additionally supports grade-level Alternative Methods, which override the primary factors for students at or below a specified grade.

### Requirements

- Primary District Admin permissions.
- [SchoolDay Login enabled](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/set-mfa-for-students-and-teachers-by-using-passport-login?hsLang=en) for your organization.
- Any factors you plan to use must already be configured as login methods (for example, AD LDAP must be activated separately if used as a first factor).

### Configure MFA for teachers

1. Navigate to **Connect** \> **Administration** \> **Login Methods** \> **SchoolDay Login**.
2. Under the **Teacher Authentication** section:  
   ![](https://help.schoolday.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Jun-05-2024-09-13-08-7623-AM.png?width=670&height=128&name=image-png-Jun-05-2024-09-13-08-7623-AM.png)
3. - **First Factor**: select the primary authentication method.
     - **Second Factor:** select the secondary authentication method.
     - **Grace Period** *(optional)*: enter a time window during which teachers can sign in without completing MFA. If left empty, MFA is required at every login.
4. Click **Save**.

**Result:** All teachers in your organization must authenticate with the configured factors at sign-in.

### Configure MFA for students

1. Navigate to **Connect** \> **Administration** \> **Login Methods** \> **SchoolDay Login**.
2. Under the **Student Authentication** section:  
   ![passport login\_student](https://help.schoolday.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Jun-05-2024-09-14-34-7517-AM.png?width=670&height=188&name=image-png-Jun-05-2024-09-14-34-7517-AM.png) 
     - **First Factor**: select the primary authentication method.
     - **Second Factor**: select the secondary authentication method.
     - **Grace Period** *(optional)*: enter a time window during which students can sign in without completing MFA.
3. *(Optional)* Click **Add Alternative Method** to define different factors for a specific grade and all grades below it.
4. Click **Save**.

**Result:** All students authenticate using the primary factors, unless an Alternative Method applies to their grade.

### How Alternative Methods work

Alternative Methods apply simpler authentication to younger students without changing the configuration for older students.

Each Alternative Method is applied to a specified grade level **and all grades below it**. If multiple Alternative Methods are configured, a student uses the one closest to — but not exceeding — their own grade.

**Example:** Primary factors: Active Directory + QR Code. Alternative Method set for Grade 6: Face ID.

| **Grade range** | **Factors used** |
| --- | --- |
| Grades 1–6 | Face ID |
| Grades 7–12 | Active Directory + QR Code |

**Example with multiple alternative methods:** Alternatives set for Grade 7 and Grade 8. A student in Grade 5 uses the Grade 7 alternative, as it is the nearest threshold at or above their grade.

**Note**

You cannot configure Alternative Methods without a primary method already set.

### Troubleshooting

| **Symptom** | **Cause** | **Fix** |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Factor options missing from dropdown | IdP or factor not yet activated | Activate the required IdP or factor under Connect \> Administration \> Login Methods first |
| Students using the wrong factor after a grade change | Grade data not yet synced | Run a data sync to update student grade information |
| Grace Period field not accepting a value | Invalid format entered | Enter a numeric value in the supported format |

### Related articles

- [Enable SchoolDay Login for your organization](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/set-mfa-for-students-and-teachers-by-using-passport-login?hsLang=en)
- [Check user MFA status](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/check-user-mfa-status?hsLang=en)
- [Set up Face ID (MFA)](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/faceid-setup?hsLang=en)
- [Disable SchoolDay Login for a user](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/disable-passport-login-user?hsLang=en)

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