Privacy Policy

Grantify FZ-LLC (“Grantify,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) values your trust, and we want you to feel confident about how we handle your Personal Information.

To provide our services (“Services”)—including helping students apply for scholarships, connecting them with universities, and supporting their educational journey—we collect, use, and share Personal Information.

“Personal Information” means any data that can identify you directly (such as your name or email) or indirectly (such as your phone number or device ID).

The type of information we collect depends on your relationship with us. You may give it directly when you create an account or sign up for communications, or it may come through one of our partners, such as a university or service provider.

We take privacy, data protection, and our legal obligations seriously. Our goal is to be clear and transparent about how we use your information and to give you control over your data.

This Privacy Policy is effective as of the date above. By using Grantify's Services or website after this date, you agree to the terms of the updated Policy.

At Grantify, we only use your information to serve a clear purpose—like helping you find the right scholarships, connecting you with universities, or making your application process smoother. This Privacy Policy explains:

• What we collect: The types of Personal Information we gather, whether you provide it directly, we receive it from partners, or we collect it automatically (for example, through cookies).
• Why and how we use it: The reasons we process your information and how it supports your experience on our platform.
• Your rights: The ways you can access, update, or control your Personal Information.

We encourage you to read this Policy carefully to understand how we handle and protect your data. If you have questions, please contact us using the details at the end of this document.

We collect Personal Information in three main ways: directly from you, from trusted partners, and automatically when you use our Services or website.

Information you provide

• Account details: When you create a Grantify profile or apply for scholarships, we may ask for your name, email, phone number, date of birth, nationality, and government-issued ID.
• Application details: Supporting documents such as transcripts, resumes, academic history, preferences, and other materials required by universities.
• Financial details: Information related to scholarships, payments, or transactions you make through our platform.
• Communications: Emails, chats, feedback forms, or survey responses you share with us.
• Additional services: If you choose to use services like housing, visa guidance, or financing support, we may collect the information needed to provide them (with your consent).

Information we collect automatically

• Usage data: How you interact with our platform (e.g., pages visited, applications submitted, features used).
• Device data: Browser type, operating system, IP address, and device identifiers collected through cookies and similar technologies.
• Location data: Approximate location to recommend universities, scholarships, and meet compliance requirements.

Information from third parties

• Universities and partners: Data from schools, counselors, financial institutions, or service providers to verify identity, prevent fraud, and improve your experience.
• Linked accounts: If you connect external accounts (like Google), those providers may share certain profile or usage details.

We only collect the information necessary to provide our Services and always with your consent.

The way we use your Personal Information depends on how you interact with Grantify. Here are the main purposes:

1. Account management

• Creating and managing your account.
• Verifying your identity (where required for security or compliance).

2. Application processing & business operations

• Helping you apply for scholarships and programs.
• Sharing your application details with universities you choose.
• Handling payments, billing, and account administration.
• Running business functions such as auditing, compliance, and analytics.

3. Personalization

• Using your background, preferences, and interests to recommend programs that best fit you.
• Improving your experience on our platform through tailored suggestions and support.

4. Safety & security

• Protecting against fraud, misuse, or unauthorized access.
• Monitoring activity to keep accounts and data secure.

5. Service improvement

• Analyzing how students and universities use Grantify to improve features and performance.
• Debugging and troubleshooting issues.
• Collecting feedback to refine our platform.

6. Communication

• Sending you updates, confirmations, and important notices.
• Responding to your questions or support requests.
• Sharing promotions or opportunities if you've opted in.

7. Research & development

• Conducting surveys and research to enhance our Services.
• Using anonymized or aggregated data to build new features.

8. Cookies & tracking

• Understanding how users interact with our website to improve navigation, performance, and advertising.
• You can manage cookies through your browser settings.

9. Legal & compliance

• Meeting regulatory requirements.
• Responding to valid legal requests (e.g., court orders).
• Protecting the rights and safety of users and the platform.

We only process your information for clear, legitimate purposes, and always in line with your consent and legal obligations.

We only share your Personal Information in limited situations, and always with a clear purpose. These are the main scenarios where sharing may occur:

1. Universities and educational institutions

To help you secure scholarships and admissions, we share your application details and supporting documents with the universities you choose. This only happens with your consent.

2. Supporting services

If you opt into additional services—such as housing, visa support, or financial assistance—we may share the necessary information with trusted partners (e.g., accommodation providers, financial institutions) so they can deliver those services.

3. Service providers

We work with third-party providers who help us run Grantify securely and efficiently. These include services for hosting, payments, data protection, analytics, and fraud prevention.

4. Research and improvement

To improve Grantify, we may use anonymized or aggregated data (data that does not identify you) for research, analysis, and innovation. This information may also be shared externally but cannot be traced back to you.

5. Legal and business obligations

We may share information if required by law, to protect our rights, ensure user safety, or if Grantify undergoes a business change such as a merger or acquisition. Any new organization will continue to protect your information.

6. Marketing preferences

If you'd prefer not to receive marketing emails or if you don't want your information shared for promotional purposes, you can:

• Unsubscribe: Use the link provided in any email we send.
• Contact us: Reach out directly through the contact details at the end of this policy.

We do not sell your Personal Information to anyone.

How long we keep your information

We only keep your Personal Information for as long as it is needed to deliver our Services or for other valid purposes, such as legal or compliance requirements. In general, we retain your data:

• While you are actively using Grantify or applying to programs.
• For up to one year after your last interaction with us.

We may keep some information longer if needed for:

• Business purposes: Auditing, account recovery, or record keeping.
• Legal requirements: Where laws or regulations require us to keep certain records.
• Fraud prevention: Protecting against misuse or fraudulent activity.
• Contractual obligations: Commitments with universities or service partners.

Where we store your information

Our data is stored securely on cloud servers managed by our service providers. These servers may be located outside your home country. If information is transferred internationally, we ensure safeguards are in place to protect your data.

Your privacy and security are central to how Grantify operates. We use appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your Personal Information against loss, misuse, unauthorized access, or disclosure. The level of protection we apply depends on the sensitivity of the data and the current state of technology.

While no online system can be guaranteed 100% secure, we continuously review and improve our safeguards to stay ahead of new security risks.

Partner security checks

Before sharing your data with any service providers or partners, we ensure they:

• Meet strict data protection standards.
• Pass our security review process.
• Sign agreements requiring them to safeguard your information.

Please note that we are not responsible for the privacy practices of third parties, and we encourage you to review their policies.

Monitoring and incident response

Our team actively monitors systems for unusual activity and responds quickly to potential issues. If a security breach occurs that affects your Personal Information, we will notify you promptly in line with legal requirements.

Cookies and similar tools

We use cookies and similar technologies to improve your browsing experience, analyze usage, and support our Services. You can manage or disable cookies through your browser settings.

Privacy laws in different regions (such as GDPR in Europe, CCPA in California, and the UAE's DIFC and ADGM data protection laws) give you rights over how your Personal Information is handled. At Grantify, we respect these rights and make it easy for you to manage your data.

1. Access your information

You can log into your Grantify account anytime to view and update your profile. You may also request details about what data we collect, how we use it, and who we share it with.

2. Correct or update your information

If your details are incomplete or inaccurate, you can update them in your account or contact us directly. Where possible, we will also update any third parties we've shared your information with.

3. Delete your data ("Right to be forgotten")

You can request that we delete your Personal Information in certain situations. Some data may need to be retained for legal, contractual, or fraud-prevention reasons, but we will confirm what can and cannot be deleted.

4. Restrict how we use your data

You can ask us to limit how your information is processed. This may affect the Services we can provide, but we will honor restrictions where legally possible.

5. Human review of automated decisions

If any automated process (like eligibility checks) significantly affects you, you can request that a person review the decision.

6. Data portability

If processing is based on your consent or contract, you may request a copy of your Personal Information in a portable format so you can use it elsewhere.

7. Withdraw consent

If you've previously given us consent (for example, for marketing or sharing with partners), you can withdraw it at any time. Some services may be limited if consent is withdrawn, but we will explain and keep you informed throughout the process.

8. File a complaint

If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you can raise a complaint with your local data protection authority. Depending on your location, you may contact:

• United Arab Emirates (DIFC): Commissioner of Data Protection https://www.difc.ae/business/laws-and-regulations/data-protection/
• United Arab Emirates (ADGM): Office of Data Protection https://www.adgm.com/operating-in-adgm/office-of-data-protection
• European Union: European Data Protection Board
• United Kingdom: Information Commissioner's Office (ICO)
• United States: Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
• Other countries: Your national data protection regulator

Please note: These rights are not absolute. In some cases, we may need to refuse a request (for example, if deleting your data would prevent us from completing your scholarship application). If that happens, we'll explain why.

In some cases, Grantify may use automated systems to process your information and make certain decisions without direct human involvement. This helps us deliver services quickly and efficiently. For example, we may use automated checks to:

• Verify that uploaded documents (such as transcripts or IDs) are in the correct format and are legible.
• Match your profile with scholarship opportunities that align with your qualifications and preferences.
• Detect and prevent fraudulent activity.

You always have the right to request a human review of any decision that significantly affects you, as required by applicable law.

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect legal requirements, technical updates, or changes in how Grantify operates. When we make updates, the latest version will always be available on our website, with the "Last Updated" date clearly shown.

If we make any significant changes that affect your rights or how we handle your Personal Information, we will notify you in advance. We will never reduce your privacy rights under this Policy without informing you first.

You can contact us if:

• You have questions or feedback about this Privacy Policy.
• You would like to access, update, or correct your Personal Information and cannot do it through your account.
• You have concerns about how we or our service providers handle your information.
• You wish to lodge a privacy-related complaint.

We will respond within a reasonable time, typically within 10 business days.

By using Grantify's website or Services, you agree to the practices described in this Privacy Policy.