Privacy Policy
Privacy Policy for Students
1. Introduction
Funding Dreams Initiative (“we,” “us,” or “our”) is committed to protecting your privacy. This policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your personal information when you subscribe to our platform to apply for scholarships. By using our services, you consent to the practices described herein.
2. Information We Collect
We collect the following categories of data:
(a) Personal Identification: Full name, date of birth, nationality, gender, contact details (email, phone, address), and government-issued ID (for verification).
(b) Academic Information: Educational history, transcripts, diplomas, test scores, proof of enrollment, recommendation letters, and financial need documentation (e.g., tax returns, income statements).
(c) Program Preferences: Desired field of study, university choices (home country or institutions in Canada, USA, UK, Australia, New Zealand), and scholarship criteria.
(d) Multimedia Content: Short video submissions (including voice, image, and personal aspirations).
(e) Technical Data: IP address, device information, browser type, cookies, and usage patterns (via Google Analytics).
(f) Communications: Records of emails, messages, or support tickets.
(g) Payment Details: Credit card numbers, bank account info (processed via Stripe/PayPal), and transaction history.
3. How We Use Your Information
(a) Scholarship Matching: To connect you with donors and educational institutions based on your profile and preferences.
(b) Verification: To authenticate your identity, academic credentials, and financial need.
(c) Communication: To notify you about application updates, scholarship opportunities, and platform changes.
(d) Improvement: To analyze user behavior and enhance platform functionality.
(e) Legal Compliance: To meet regulatory obligations (e.g., fraud prevention, tax reporting).
4. Data Sharing and Disclosure
We share your data only under these circumstances:
(a) With Donors: Your profile (excluding sensitive financial/ID documents) and video submission are shared with registered donors “only after your explicit consent.”
(b) With Educational Institutions: Academic records and application materials are shared with partner universities “only after you accept a scholarship offer.”
(c) With Service Providers: Trusted third parties (e.g., cloud storage, payment processors) bound by confidentiality agreements.
(d) Legal Requirements: To comply with court orders, subpoenas, or government investigations.
We never sell your data to advertisers or third-party marketers.
5. Data Retention
(a) Active Profiles: Retained for 5 years after your last interaction or until account deletion.
(b) Financial Documents: Deleted 2 years after scholarship disbursement.
(c) Video Submissions: Archived for 3 years unless you request earlier deletion.
(d) Inactive Accounts: Deleted after 2 years of inactivity.
6. Security Measures
(a) Encryption: All data is encrypted in transit (TLS 1.2+) and at rest (AES-256).
(b) Access Controls: Role-based permissions limit staff access to sensitive data.
(c) Audits: Regular security assessments and penetration testing.
(d) Incident Response: Breach notifications within 72 hours of discovery, as required by law.
7. Your Rights
(a) Access & Portability: Request a copy of your data in a machine-readable format.
(b) Correction: Update inaccuracies in your profile.
(c) Deletion: Erase non-essential data (exceptions: active scholarships or legal requirements).
(d) Withdraw Consent: Opt out of data sharing with donors/institutions.
(e) Object to Processing: Challenge automated decisions (e.g., scholarship eligibility algorithms).
To exercise these rights, email [privacy@fundingdreamsinitiative.com].
8. International Data Transfers
Data may be transferred to countries outside your residence (e.g., Canada, USA) with adequate safeguards (e.g., EU Standard Contractual Clauses).
9. Children’s Privacy
We do not knowingly collect data from users under 13yrs (or 16yrs in the EU). Parents/guardians may request deletion of minors’ data.
10. Updates to This Policy
Changes will be posted on our website with an updated “Effective Date.” Material changes will trigger email notifications.
Privacy Policy for Donors
11. Introduction
This policy governs how Funding Dreams Initiative collects, uses, and protects donor information. By donating, you agree to these terms.
12. Information We Collect
(a) Personal Identification: Full name, email, phone number, and billing address.
(b) Payment Details: Credit card numbers, bank account info (processed via Stripe/PayPal), and transaction history.
(c) Tax Documentation: Tax ID or Social Security Number (for issuing receipts).
(d) Preferences: Choice to donate anonymously or names being published. Choice to donate to the organisation or to a specific student.
(e) Technical Data: IP address, cookies, device information.
13. How We Use Your Information
(a) Processing Donations: To facilitate transactions and issue tax receipts.
(b) Impact Reporting: To send anonymized updates on scholarship recipients.
(c) Communication: To share newsletters, fundraising campaigns, and gratitude messages (opt-out available).
(d) Legal Compliance: Anti-fraud measures, tax reporting, and audit trails.
14. Data Sharing and Disclosure
(a) With Students: If you donate to a specific student, your first name and donation message (if provided) may be shared. “Anonymous donations remain confidential.”
(b) With Payment Processors: Financial data is shared only with PCI-DSS compliant services (e.g., Paypal,Stripe).
(c) With Governments: Disclosed for tax audits or legal investigations.
15. Data Retention
(a) Financial Records: Retained for 7 years to comply with tax laws.
(b) Donor Profiles: Deleted upon request (excluding transaction records required by law).
16. Security Measures
(a) PCI Compliance: Payment data is encrypted and never stored on our servers.
(b) Anonymity Options: Donors can hide their identity from students and public reports.
17. Your Rights
(a) Access: Request donation history or tax receipts.
(b) Anonymity: Opt out of public recognition.
(c) Deletion: Remove non-essential personal data.
Email [privacy@fundingdreamsinitiative.com] to exercise these rights.
18. Cookies and Tracking
We use cookies to personalize your experience. Manage preferences via your browser settings.
19. Dispute Resolution
Complaints may be submitted to [privacy@fundingdreamsinitiative.com]. Unresolved disputes may proceed to binding arbitration in the state of Texas, USA.
20. Contact Us
Data Protection Officer: Mr Selvin Kirpal
Email: privacy@fundingdreamsinitiative.com
Address: 5900Balcones Drive Suite 100, Austin TX 78731, USA
Phone: +1 310 8688136
21. General Provisions
(a) Governing Law: This policy adheres to the laws of the State of Texas USA.
(b) Third-Party Links: We are not responsible for external sites linked on our platform.
(c) Consent Updates: Continued use of our services constitutes acceptance of policy changes.