Cookie Policy

Date Updated: December 19, 2024

Introduction

At Student Scholarship Organization Inc. ("we," "us," or "our"), we value your privacy and are committed to being transparent about the technologies we use. This Cookie Policy ("Policy") explains how and why cookies, web beacons, pixels, and other similar technologies (collectively "Cookies") may be stored on and accessed from your device when you use or visit our website hosted on Squarespace ("Website"). This Policy should be read together with our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

Legal Basis for Processing

We process your personal data collected through Cookies based on your consent, which you can provide or withdraw at any time through our Cookie preference center, and/or our legitimate interests in operating, securing, and improving our Website.

What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files containing a string of characters that are stored on your device when you visit a website. They help the website function effectively, improve user experience, and provide useful analytics. Cookies may be session-based (temporary cookies that expire when you close your browser), persistent (stored on your device until a set expiration date), first-party (set by our Website domain), or third-party (set by other domains).

Detailed Categorization of Cookies

Essential Cookies (Strictly Necessary) These cookies are critical for the Website's basic operations and security. They are processed based on legitimate interest and can remain active from a single session up to 2 years. These include authentication tokens, security tokens, session identifiers, load balancing cookies, and CSRF tokens.

Performance and Analytics Cookies These cookies collect anonymous statistical data about Website usage, processed based on user consent and stored for up to 2 years. They track pages visited, time spent on pages, navigation paths, error messages, device information, and referral sources.

Functional Cookies These cookies remember user preferences and choices, processed based on consent and stored for up to 1 year. They manage language preferences, region/location settings, personalized layouts, form auto-fill data, and user interface customizations.

Security Cookies These cookies protect Website and user data, processed based on legitimate interest and stored from session length to 1 year. They provide fraud prevention, DDoS protection, malware scanning, session authentication, and access control.

Squarespace-Specific Cookie Information

As our Website is hosted on Squarespace, we utilize their cookie infrastructure. For detailed information about Squarespace's cookie practices, please visit HERE. We have verified that Squarespace's cookie usage complies with applicable data protection laws, including GDPR and CCPA.

Your Rights and Choices

You have the right to accept or reject non-essential cookies, and your consent can be withdrawn at any time. Essential cookies cannot be rejected as they are necessary for Website functionality. You can manage cookies through your browser settings, and we honor Do Not Track (DNT) signals.

Browser Controls For Chrome, click the menu icon, select "Settings," click "Privacy and security," and choose "Cookies and other site data." Similar controls exist for Safari, Firefox, and Edge browsers.

Data Retention and Security

Our retention periods vary by cookie type, with session cookies being deleted when the browser closes and persistent cookies having a maximum retention of 2 years. Analytics data is anonymized after 14 months. We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect cookie data, including encryption, access controls, regular security assessments, and staff training on data protection.

International Transfers

Cookie data may be processed in countries outside your residence. We ensure appropriate safeguards through Standard Contractual Clauses, adequacy decisions, and other legal transfer mechanisms.

Updates to This Policy

We reserve the right to update this Cookie Policy at any time. Material changes will be notified through Website notifications, email communications (if subscribed), and the policy update date.

Contact Information

For questions about this Cookie Policy or our cookie practices, please contact us via our CONTACT PAGE.

Legal Compliance

This Cookie Policy complies with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), ePrivacy Directive, and other applicable data protection laws.

By continuing to use our Website, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Cookie Policy and agree to our use of cookies as described herein.