Privacy Policy

Effective Date: December 12th, 2024

Introduction

At Student Scholarship Organization Inc. ("SSO INC," "we," "us," or "our"), we are committed to protecting your privacy and safeguarding your personal information. This Privacy Policy ("Policy") explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect your personal information when you visit our website or use our services. By accessing or using our website, you agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy.

Scope of This Policy

This Policy applies to personal information collected through our website, online forms, email communications, and other digital services operated by SSO INC. It covers both information you provide directly and information we collect automatically through cookies and similar technologies, as detailed in our separate Cookie Policy.

Information We Collect

Personal Information You Provide When you interact with our website, you may provide personal information including your name, email address, postal address, phone number, date of birth, educational background, financial information related to scholarship applications, and any other information you choose to provide through our forms or communications.

Information Collected Automatically We collect certain information automatically when you visit our website, including your IP address, browser type, device information, operating system, pages visited, time spent on pages, and other technical information about your interaction with our website. This collection is performed through cookies and similar technologies, as described in our Cookie Policy.

How We Use Your Information

Service Provision We use your personal information to process scholarship applications, evaluate eligibility, communicate about opportunities, respond to inquiries, and provide our services. This includes verifying your identity, assessing application materials, and managing scholarship disbursements.

Communications We may use your contact information to send important updates about your scholarship application, notifications about new opportunities, newsletters, and other relevant information. You can opt out of non-essential communications at any time.

Website Improvement We analyze usage data to improve our website functionality, enhance user experience, troubleshoot technical issues, and develop new features and services that better serve our community.

Legal Basis for Processing

We process your personal information based on the following legal grounds: your consent, the performance of a contract with you, compliance with our legal obligations, and our legitimate interests in operating and improving our services.

Data Sharing and Disclosure

Third-Party Service Providers We may share your information with trusted service providers who assist us in operating our website, conducting our business, or servicing you. These providers include website hosting services, email management platforms, and analytics providers. All service providers are contractually bound to protect your information and use it only for specified purposes.

Educational Institutions With your consent, we may share relevant application information with educational institutions, scholarship committees, or other entities involved in the scholarship selection and administration process.

Legal Requirements We may disclose your information if required by law, court order, or governmental regulation, or if we believe disclosure is necessary to protect our rights, property, or safety, or that of others.

Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include encryption, secure socket layer technology, regular security assessments, and restricted access to personal information.

Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Policy, unless a longer retention period is required by law. When determining retention periods, we consider the amount, nature, and sensitivity of the information, the potential risk of harm from unauthorized use or disclosure, and applicable legal requirements.

Your Rights and Choices

Access and Control You have the right to access, correct, update, or request deletion of your personal information. You may also have rights to restrict or object to certain processing of your information and request portability of your data.

Marketing Communications You can opt out of receiving marketing communications from us by following the unsubscribe instructions included in these communications or contacting us directly.

International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your country of residence. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your information in compliance with applicable data protection laws.

Children's Privacy

Our services are not directed to individuals under 16 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we become aware that we have inadvertently collected personal information from a child under 16, we will take steps to delete such information.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the updated Policy on our website and updating the "Last Updated" date.

Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests related to this Privacy Policy or your personal information, please contact us via our CONTACT PAGE.

Governing Law

This Privacy Policy is governed by and construed in accordance with applicable data protection laws, including but not limited to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA).

By using our website and services, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy and agree to the collection, use, and disclosure of your information as described herein.