Privacy Policy

Last Updated: 4/29/26

OVERVIEW

HelloCollege (“HelloCollege,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) is committed to protecting the privacy and security of the students and families we serve. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, share, and protect your information when you visit our website (sayhellocollege.com) or use our services.

By using our website or services, you agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy.

INFORMATION WE COLLECT

We collect several types of information to provide and improve our services:

1. Personal Information You Provide

When you engage with HelloCollege, we may collect:

Name, email address, phone number
Billing and payment information
Account login credentials
Communication history (emails, messages, meeting notes)

2. Student & College Planning Information (“Profile Information”)

To provide our services, we collect academic and personal planning data, including:

GPA, transcripts, and academic performance
Standardized test scores (SAT, ACT, AP, etc.)
Activities, achievements, and extracurriculars
Intended major, career interests, and goals
Parent/guardian occupation and general financial information (as needed for planning)
College lists, applications, and essays

3. Automatically Collected Information (“Usage & Device Data”)

When you visit our website, we may collect:

IP address, browser type, and device information
Pages visited, time on site, and referring sources
Interaction data (clicks, navigation behavior)
Cookies and similar tracking technologies

HOW WE USE YOUR INFORMATION

We use your information to deliver high-quality college planning services and improve your experience.

Core Service Delivery

Provide counseling, tutoring, essay coaching, and planning support
Review and provide feedback on student work (including essays and applications)
Build and manage college lists and strategic plans
Communicate with students and families

Operations & Support

Process payments and manage accounts
Schedule meetings and provide progress tracking
Respond to inquiries and provide customer support

Improvement & Analytics

Understand how families use our platform
Improve our services, tools, and curriculum
Evaluate program effectiveness

Marketing & Communications

Share relevant resources, workshops, and updates
Provide information about services you may be interested in
Deliver advertising (where permitted and applicable)

USE OF STUDENT WORK & ANONYMIZED DATA

Educational & Internal Use

HelloCollege may use student work (including essays, applications, and planning materials) for internal purposes such as:

Training team members
Improving service quality
Developing curriculum and best practices

When used for these purposes, we make reasonable efforts to remove or alter identifying details.

Anonymized Data for Marketing & Case Studies

HelloCollege may use anonymized and aggregated student data for marketing, educational, and promotional purposes, including:

Case studies
Aggregated results

This may include:

College outcomes (e.g., colleges attended)
Academic metrics (e.g., GPA ranges, test scores, class rank)
Generalized student profiles and journeys
Summarized narratives of a student’s experience

We will NEVER include:

Student names
Specific high schools
Any directly identifying information

Unless explicit written consent is provided.

Opt-Out

Families may opt out of the use of anonymized data or student work at any time by submitting a written request to: [email protected]

Upon receipt, HelloCollege will remove applicable materials from future use where reasonably possible.

SHARING YOUR INFORMATION

We do not sell personal information.

We may share information in the following limited circumstances:

Service Providers

With trusted third parties who help us operate our business, such as:

Payment processors (e.g., Stripe)
Technology platforms and hosting providers
Analytics and marketing tools

Legal & Compliance

When required to:

Comply with laws, regulations, or legal processes
Protect the rights, safety, or property of HelloCollege or others

Business Transfers

In connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, where your information may be transferred as part of the business.

COOKIES & TRACKING

We use cookies and similar technologies to:

Improve website functionality
Analyze traffic and usage patterns
Support marketing and advertising efforts

You can control cookie settings through your browser. Some features of our site may not function properly if cookies are disabled.

DATA RETENTION

We retain personal information only as long as necessary to:

Provide services
Comply with legal obligations
Resolve disputes and enforce agreements

Student data may be retained for a reasonable period after services conclude to support continued access, future services, or legal compliance.

YOUR RIGHTS

Depending on your location, you may have the right to:

Access the personal information we hold about you
Request corrections or updates
Request deletion of your data
Opt out of certain uses of your information

To exercise these rights, contact us at: [email protected]

CHILDREN’S PRIVACY

Our services are intended for students and families, but we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 without parental involvement. If we become aware of such data, we will take steps to delete it.

DATA SECURITY

We take reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect your information. However, no method of transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

THIRD-PARTY LINKS

Our website may contain links to third-party sites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of those sites.

CHANGES TO THIS POLICY

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. Updates will be posted on this page with a revised “Last Updated” date. Continued use of our services constitutes acceptance of any changes.

CONTACT US

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or how your data is used, please contact:

Email: [email protected]