Common Scholarship Application (CSA)

Privacy Policy

Effective Date: 9/1/2025

1. Overview

The Common Scholarship Application (“CSA,” “we,” “us,” or “our”), operated by EDU, Inc., is committed to protecting your privacy and safeguarding your personal information.

This Privacy Policy explains:

  • What information we collect
  • How we use it
  • Who we share it with
  • Your rights and choices

This policy applies to:

  • Common Scholarship Application platform
  • All related services, tools, and communications

2. Information We Collect

A. Information You Provide

We collect personal information when you:

  • Create an account
  • Complete scholarship applications
  • Upload documents
  • Communicate through the platform

This may include:

  • Name, email, phone number
  • Address and demographic information
  • Academic records (GPA, school, transcripts if applicable)
  • Essays and application responses
  • Financial or scholarship-related information (if provided)

B. Automatically Collected Information

We may collect technical and usage data, including:

  • IP address
  • Device and browser type
  • Pages visited and session duration
  • Platform interaction data

This information helps us:

  • Improve performance
  • Enhance user experience
  • Analyze trends

3. How We Use Your Information

We use your information to:

  • Process and manage scholarship applications
  • Match you with relevant scholarship opportunities
  • Provide access to scholarship providers you select
  • Communicate important updates and deadlines
  • Improve platform functionality and user experience

4. Sharing of Information

A. Scholarship Providers (Core Function)

Your information is shared ONLY when you apply to or authorize access for a scholarship provider.

Once shared:

  • The provider independently controls how your information is used
  • CSA does not control or monitor provider decisions or actions

B. Important Clarification

CSA does NOT sell your personal information.

However, your information IS shared with scholarship providers as part of the application process.

C. Service Providers

We may share information with trusted vendors who support:

  • Platform hosting
  • Security
  • Analytics
  • Communications

These vendors are contractually required to protect your data.

D. Aggregated Data

We may share anonymized, aggregated data for:

  • Reporting
  • Research
  • Platform improvement

This data cannot identify you.

E. Legal Requirements

We may disclose information if required to:

  • Comply with law or legal process
  • Protect rights, safety, or security
  • Prevent fraud or abuse

5. Communications & Consent

By using CSA, you agree to receive:

  • Application-related notifications
  • Deadline reminders
  • Scholarship updates

You may also receive optional:

  • Educational content
  • Opportunity alerts

You can opt out of non-essential communications at any time.

We comply with the CAN-SPAM Act.

6. Text Messaging (SMS)

If you provide your phone number, you consent to receive:

  • Scholarship alerts
  • Application updates
  • Deadline reminders

Message and data rates may apply.
You may opt out at any time by replying STOP.

7. Children’s Privacy

CSA does not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 in compliance with:

  • COPPA

If such data is identified, it will be deleted promptly.

8. Student Data & Educational Context

CSA may collect academic and student-related information.

While CSA aligns with principles of:

  • FERPA

CSA is not an educational institution, and scholarship providers are responsible for their own compliance obligations.

9. Data Security

We implement reasonable safeguards including:

  • Encryption and secure servers
  • Access controls and authentication
  • Internal security policies

No system is completely secure, but we take appropriate steps to protect your information.

10. Your Rights & Choices

You have the right to:

  • Access and update your information
  • Control which providers can view your data
  • Revoke access permissions
  • Delete your account

Important:

Deleting your account does NOT remove data already shared with scholarship providers.

You must contact providers directly for removal requests.

11. Data Retention

We retain your information:

  • As long as necessary to provide services
  • For legal, compliance, and operational purposes

12. Third-Party Responsibility

CSA is not responsible for:

  • How scholarship providers use your data
  • Decisions made by providers
  • Communications sent by providers

Users should review each provider’s policies before applying.

13. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy at any time.

If changes are material:

  • We will provide notice on the platform

Continued use constitutes acceptance.

14. Contact Information

Common Scholarship Application (CSA)
Operated by EDU, Inc.
Email: support@commonscholarshipapplication.com
Phone: 305-813-5659