Privacy Policy

At CollegeHero ("we," "our," or "us"), we are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the security of your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our website and services.

1. Information We Collect

Personal Information You Provide

We collect information that you voluntarily provide to us when you:

• Create an account or register for our services
• Complete the FAFSA assistance forms
• Search for scholarships or financial aid opportunities
• Contact us for support or inquiries
• Subscribe to our newsletter or communications

This information may include:

• Name, email address, and contact information
• Educational background and academic information
• Financial information relevant to financial aid applications
• Demographic information (age, location, etc.)
• Parent or guardian information (for dependent students)

Automatically Collected Information

When you access our website, we automatically collect certain information, including:

• IP address and browser type
• Device information and operating system
• Pages viewed and time spent on our site
• Referring website addresses
• Cookies and similar tracking technologies

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the collected information for the following purposes:

• Provide Services: To help you complete FAFSA forms, find scholarships, and compare financial aid packages
• Personalization: To customize your experience and provide tailored recommendations
• Communication: To send you important updates, deadlines, and scholarship opportunities
• Improvement: To analyze usage patterns and improve our website and services
• Compliance: To comply with legal obligations and protect against fraud
• Marketing: To send promotional materials (with your consent, which you can withdraw at any time)

3. Information Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell your personal information. We may share your information in the following circumstances:

• Service Providers: With trusted third-party vendors who assist in operating our website and services (e.g., hosting, analytics, email delivery)
• Educational Institutions: With colleges or universities when you explicitly authorize us to share your application information
• Scholarship Organizations: With scholarship providers when you apply for specific opportunities through our platform
• Legal Requirements: When required by law, court order, or governmental authority
• Business Transfers: In connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets
• With Your Consent: When you explicitly authorize us to share specific information

4. Data Security

We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your personal information, including:

• SSL/TLS encryption for data transmission
• Secure data storage with encryption at rest
• Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments
• Access controls and authentication requirements
• Employee training on data protection practices

However, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

5. Your Rights and Choices

Depending on your location, you may have the following rights:

• Access: Request access to the personal information we hold about you
• Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
• Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information (subject to certain exceptions)
• Portability: Request a copy of your data in a portable format
• Opt-Out: Unsubscribe from marketing communications at any time
• Restrict Processing: Request that we limit how we use your information
• Object: Object to certain types of processing

To exercise these rights, please contact us at lily@collegehero.me.

6. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience. You can control cookie preferences through your browser settings. Types of cookies we use:

• Essential Cookies: Required for website functionality
• Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how visitors use our site
• Functional Cookies: Remember your preferences and settings
• Marketing Cookies: Track advertising effectiveness (with your consent)

7. Children's Privacy (FERPA Compliance)

Our services are designed for students and families navigating college financial aid. For users under 18, we require parental consent before collecting personal information. We comply with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) regarding educational records and ensure that any educational information is handled in accordance with applicable laws.

8. International Data Transfers

If you are accessing our services from outside the United States, please be aware that your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in the United States. We take steps to ensure that your data receives adequate protection in accordance with applicable data protection laws.

9. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to provide our services and fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy. When you close your account, we will delete or anonymize your information within 90 days, unless we are required to retain it for legal, regulatory, or legitimate business purposes.

10. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites, including scholarship provider sites and educational institutions. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these external sites. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing any personal information.

11. California Privacy Rights (CCPA)

If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA):

• Right to know what personal information is collected, used, shared, or sold
• Right to delete personal information held by businesses
• Right to opt-out of the sale of personal information (we do not sell your information)
• Right to non-discrimination for exercising your CCPA rights

12. European Privacy Rights (GDPR)

If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA), you have rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), including the right to access, rectify, erase, restrict processing, object to processing, and data portability. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority.

13. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time 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. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically.

14. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us: