Scholarships.com Privacy Policy
Our Commitment to Privacy
Scholarships.com, LLC ("Scholarships.com," "we," "us," or "our") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, sell, share, and protect personal information from visitors to Scholarships.com.
We comply with the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), as amended by the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA), and other applicable privacy laws.
1. Information We Collect
The categories of personal information we collect include the following:
1.1 Information You Provide
When you register for Scholarships.com, you voluntarily provide:
Required Information:
- Full name
- Email address
- Mailing address
- Date of birth
- Gender
- Country of citizenship
- Password (encrypted)
Optional Information:
- Educational background and goals
- Career objectives
- Extracurricular activities and hobbies
- Academic performance
- Financial information for scholarship eligibility
Sensitive Personal Information (with your consent):
- Health or disability information
- Racial or ethnic origin
- Religious beliefs
1.2 Information Collected Automatically
We automatically collect:
- IP address and approximate location
- Browser type and device information
- Pages visited and navigation patterns
- Date and time stamps
1.3 Categories of Sources of Personal Information
We collect personal information from the following categories of sources:
- Information provided directly by you
- Information collected automatically from your device or browser
- Information from third-party partners and service providers
1.4 Cookies and Tracking
We use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience, analyze usage, and deliver relevant content. See Section 8 for details.
2. How We Use Your Information
We collect and use personal information for both business purposes and commercial purposes, as defined under applicable law.
2.1 Primary Services
- Match you with scholarship opportunities
- Provide personalized guidance
- Maintain your account
- Send scholarship alerts
2.2 With Your Consent
- Share information with education-related partners
- Provide your information to colleges and universities
- Send marketing communications
2.3 Legal and Operational Purposes
- Comply with legal obligations
- Protect against fraud and security threats
- Enforce Terms of Service
- Improve services
2.4 Aggregated Data
We may use de-identified or aggregated data for analytics and research.
You are not required to provide personal information; however, certain features of the Site may not function properly without it.
3. How We Share Your Information
We may disclose your personal information as follows.
3.1 Sale and Sharing of Personal Information
We may sell or share personal information, as those terms are defined under applicable law, including for purposes such as marketing, advertising, or connecting users with educational opportunities.
Scholarships.com may disclose your personal information to third parties for monetary or other valuable consideration or for cross-context behavioral advertising.
We will not sell or share your personal information without providing appropriate notice and the opportunity to opt out where required by law.
These disclosures may include sharing with:
- Educational institutions
- Scholarship providers
- Marketing partners
- Advertising networks
You have the right to opt out of these activities.
3.2 Categories of Personal Information Disclosed
The categories of personal information we disclose, sell, or share may include:
- Identifiers (such as name, email address, IP address)
- Demographic information
- Education and career-related information
- Internet or network activity information
- Sensitive personal information (where applicable)
We disclose these categories to:
- Service providers
- Scholarship providers
- Educational institutions
- Marketing and advertising partners
3.3 With Your Consent
When you choose to interact with scholarship providers, colleges, or partners, we share your information so they can provide relevant opportunities and communications.
Third parties that receive your information may retain it in accordance with their own privacy policies and legal obligations.
Once your information is shared with third parties, it is subject to their own privacy practices.
3.4 Service Providers
We share information with vendors performing services such as:
- Hosting
- Email delivery
- Analytics
- Customer support
All service providers are contractually required to:
- Use data only for defined purposes
- Maintain security standards
- Comply with applicable privacy laws
3.5 Legal Requirements
We may disclose information to:
- Comply with law
- Respond to legal requests
- Prevent fraud or abuse
- Protect rights and safety
3.6 Business Transfers
In case of merger or acquisition:
- Users will be notified
- Users may delete their account
- Data use remains governed by this policy
4. Data Retention
4.1 Active Accounts
We retain personal information as long as your account remains active.
4.2 Deletion Requests
We delete or de-identify data upon verified request, subject to legal exceptions.
4.3 Retention Periods
We retain personal information for as long as reasonably necessary to:
- Provide our services and maintain your account
- Comply with legal obligations
- Resolve disputes and enforce agreements
- Detect and prevent security or fraud-related issues
Retention periods vary depending on the type of information and applicable legal requirements.
5. Your Privacy Rights
5.1 California Privacy Rights
California residents have the right to request:
- Access to personal information
- Access to the specific pieces of personal information we have collected about you
- Deletion of personal information
- Correction of inaccurate personal information
- Disclosure of:
- Categories of personal information collected
- Categories of sources
- Business or commercial purposes
- Categories of third parties
- Opt-out of the sale or sharing of personal information
- Limit the use of sensitive personal information
You may exercise your right to opt out by visiting our Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information page at www.scholarships.com/do-not-sell-my-personal-information.
5.2 Delete Your Account
You may delete your account by:
- Logging into your account
- Navigating to your Profile page
- Selecting “Account Settings”
- Clicking “Delete Account”
5.3 Right to Non-Discrimination
We will not discriminate against you for exercising your privacy rights.
5.4 How to Submit a Request
You may submit a privacy request through any reasonable method, including:
- Privacy Rights Request page
- Email: privacy@scholarships.com
- Contact form
- Mail:
Scholarships.com LLC
Privacy Department
513 Central Avenue, Suite 300
Highland Park, IL 60035
You are not required to create an account or use a specific form to exercise your privacy rights.
5.5 Verification of Requests
We must verify your identity before processing requests.
We may request additional information to confirm your
identity.
If we cannot verify your identity, we may deny the request as permitted by law.
5.6 Authorized Agents
Authorized agents may submit requests on your behalf.
We may require:
- Written authorization
- Identity verification
5.7 Response Timing
We will:
- Confirm receipt within 10 business days
- Respond within 45 days (or notify you if additional time is required)
We will deliver responses via email, your account, or other reasonable methods.
5.8 Appeals Process
If we deny your request, you may appeal by contacting us and including “Privacy Request Appeal” in your request.
5.9 Communication Preferences
You may:
- Adjust notification settings in your account
- Unsubscribe from marketing emails
- Contact us to opt out of communications
6. Data Security
We implement safeguards including:
- Encryption
- Access controls
- Employee training
- Incident response procedures
No system is completely secure.
7. Sensitive Information Protections
We collect sensitive personal information only with your consent and use it solely for scholarship matching and related services.
You may request limitation or deletion at any time.
We do not sell or share the personal information of consumers under 16 years of age without affirmative authorization.
8. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
We use:
- Essential cookies
- Analytics cookies
- Advertising cookies
- Social media cookies
Users may control cookies via browser settings or opt-out tools.
We recognize browser-based opt-out signals, such as Global Privacy Control (GPC), where required by law.
9. Third-Party Links
We are not responsible for the privacy practices of external websites.
10. Social Media Features
Our Site includes social media features (Facebook Like, Twitter share). These features are governed by the privacy policies of the companies providing them.
11. Public Forums
We may offer blogs, forums, or comment sections. Information you post may be publicly visible. To request removal,
contact
.
12. Children's Privacy
We do not knowingly collect data from children under 13.
Parents may request deletion of minor data.
13. International Users
Your information may be transferred to and processed in the United States.
14. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We will provide notice of material changes and update this policy accordingly.
15. State-Specific Privacy Rights
Residents of certain states may have additional rights, including:
- Access
- Correction
- Deletion
- Data portability
- Opt-out of targeted advertising
16. Contact Us
Email: 
Privacy Rights Portal: www.scholarships.com/privacy-rights
Mail:
Scholarships.com, LLC
Privacy Department
513 Central Avenue, Suite 300
Highland
Park, IL 60035
17. Testimonials
We may display testimonials with user consent.
18. California "Shine the Light" Law
California residents may request marketing disclosure information.
19. Definitions
Personal Information: Information that identifies or relates to an individual
Sell/Sale: Disclosure for monetary or other valuable consideration
Share/Sharing: Disclosure for cross-context behavioral advertising
Sensitive Personal Information: Includes health, race, religion, and similar data