LEGAL · EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 7, 2026

Privacy & Children’s Privacy Notice

This notice explains how Meritaria and the scholarship organization in your invitation collect, use, retain, and delete applicant information.

Privacy by organizationEach scholarship organization sees only its own applicants and is responsible for its program criteria, notices, and contact information.

1. Who is responsible for your information

Meritaria provides the technology used to collect and administer scholarship applications. The organization named in an invitation controls its scholarship program and the applications it receives. That organization is responsible for its eligibility rules, communications, review process, and privacy contact. Students and parents should direct questions about a particular application to that organization first.

2. Information used to administer an application

We process the information an organization asks for in its application, which may include name, email address, phone number, mailing address, school and graduation details, major, GPA, essays, answers, resumes, recommendation materials, uploaded documents, and consent choices. We also process account, device, and security information needed to sign in, prevent misuse, maintain records, and support the service. Do not provide Social Security numbers, bank-account details, government identification, medical records, or immigration documents unless the organization has clearly explained why they are required and how they will be protected.

3. How application information is used

Application information is used only to operate the scholarship program: to verify enrollment, match a student to eligible scholarships, review applications, contact applicants, make and record decisions, meet recordkeeping obligations, and protect the platform from fraud or unauthorized access. Meritaria does not sell student information, rent application lists, or use applicant information for behavioral advertising.

4. Organization separation and limited sharing

Each organization has a separate program. Its administrators can access only the scholarships, applicants, documents, and decisions associated with that organization. A student who joins another organization through a separate invitation has a separate application record there. Information is shared with authorized members of the receiving organization and with service providers that help operate, secure, or support Meritaria under confidentiality and security obligations. We may also disclose information when required by law or when necessary to protect people, the service, or our legal rights.

5. Children and parental consent

Meritaria is not intended to collect personal information directly from children under 13 without the involvement of the scholarship organization and a parent or guardian. Where COPPA applies, the organization must give the parent or guardian direct notice and obtain verifiable parental consent before collecting a child’s personal information. Parents and guardians may ask the organization to review, correct, delete, or stop collecting their child’s information. An organization may not require more information from a child than is reasonably necessary to participate in its scholarship program.

6. Optional scholarship rollover retention

An organization may offer a separate choice to retain an application for future scholarship opportunities within that same organization. This choice is optional and is limited to six years. Applicants under 18 must have parent or guardian permission before opting in. A student or parent/guardian may withdraw that permission at any time through the organization’s privacy contact. After withdrawal, the organization must delete the retained application unless it must keep a limited record to meet a legal obligation.

7. Security and retention

We use safeguards designed to protect information, including encrypted connections, controlled document storage, role-based access, and organization-separated database rules. No online service can guarantee absolute security. Organizations should retain identifiable application information only for as long as needed for their scholarship program, legal obligations, dispute resolution, and approved rollover consent. Archived records should contain only the minimum information needed for an award history.

8. Your choices and requests

Students and parents/guardians may ask the organization that received the application to access, correct, export, restrict, or delete application information. The organization can verify the requestor’s identity and may retain information where the law permits or requires it. If an organization does not resolve a request about how Meritaria handles information, keep a copy of the request and contact the organization’s designated privacy contact for escalation.

9. Changes to this notice

We may update this notice when the service, legal requirements, or privacy practices change. The effective date at the top shows when it was last revised. Material changes will be presented through the service or through the organization where appropriate.