HigherStudy.ai ("HigherStudy.ai", "we", "us", or "our") operates the website https://www.higherstudy.ai and related services that help graduate school applicants discover programs, connect with professors, and manage admissions workflows.

This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, how we share it, and the choices you have. By using our services, you agree to the practices described here.

We collect information in the following categories:

• Account information: name, email address, authentication identifiers, and profile details you provide.
• Application profile data: education history, work experience, publications, skills, test scores, research interests, uploaded documents (such as CVs and transcripts), and generated application materials.
• Usage data: pages visited, features used, device/browser information, IP address, and diagnostic logs needed to operate and secure the service.
• Payment information: billing details processed by our payment provider (Stripe). We do not store full payment card numbers on our servers.
• Communications: messages you send through contact forms or support requests.
• Connected email account data: if you connect Gmail or Microsoft, we access only the permissions you authorize to send outreach emails, read replies related to outreach, and provide inbox tracking within the product.

We use collected information to:

• Provide, maintain, and improve HigherStudy.ai features.
• Generate personalized professor outreach emails, application drafts, and matching recommendations.
• Authenticate users and secure accounts.
• Process purchases, entitlements, and subscription status.
• Send service-related notifications and respond to support requests.
• Monitor performance, prevent abuse, and comply with legal obligations.

If you choose to sign in with Google or connect your Gmail account, we access Google user data only as needed to provide the features you request.

Our use of information received from Google APIs adheres to the Google API Services User Data Policy, including the Limited Use requirements.

We use Gmail permissions solely to compose and send emails you initiate, read messages needed to detect professor replies to outreach you sent through HigherStudy.ai, and display relevant inbox activity in your dashboard.

We do not use Google user data to serve advertisements, sell data to third parties, or train generalized AI models unrelated to your requested features.

You may disconnect Google access at any time from your account settings or Google Account permissions page.

If you connect a Microsoft account, we use Mail.Send and Mail.Read permissions only to send emails you authorize and to read replies related to outreach sent through the platform.

Microsoft account data is not used for advertising or unrelated profiling.

We do not sell your personal information. We may share information only in these cases:

• Service providers that help us operate the platform (for example, hosting, authentication, payment processing, email delivery infrastructure), under contractual confidentiality and security obligations.
• When required by law, legal process, or to protect rights, safety, and security.
• In connection with a merger, acquisition, or asset sale, with notice where required by law.
• With your direction or consent, such as when you send an email to a professor.

We retain account and profile data while your account is active and as needed to provide the service.

You may delete your account from Settings. Upon deletion, we remove associated profile data and documents from our systems, subject to limited retention required for security, fraud prevention, billing records, or legal compliance.

OAuth tokens for connected email providers are removed when you disconnect or delete your account.

We use administrative, technical, and organizational safeguards designed to protect your information, including encrypted transport (HTTPS), access controls, and secure credential storage practices.

No method of transmission or storage is completely secure. Please use a strong password and protect access to your connected email accounts.

Depending on your location, you may have rights to:

• Access, correct, or delete personal information in your account.
• Export profile data you have provided.
• Disconnect third-party integrations such as Google or Microsoft.
• Object to or restrict certain processing where applicable law provides those rights.

We use cookies and similar technologies for authentication, session management, preferences, and analytics needed to improve the service.

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Disabling cookies may limit some functionality.

HigherStudy.ai is intended for users applying to graduate and professional programs and is not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.

If you access the service from outside the United States, your information may be processed in the United States or other countries where our service providers operate, under appropriate safeguards.

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will post the revised version on this page and update the "Last updated" date. Material changes may also be communicated through the product or by email where appropriate.

For privacy questions or requests, contact us at support@higherstudyai.com or through the contact form at https://www.higherstudy.ai/contact.