This Privacy Policy explains how (“we”, “us”, “our”), operating the website Apply4U Online, collects, uses, stores, shares and protects personal information when you use our website, counselling forms, student/partner portals, WhatsApp, email, phone, or related services (collectively, the “Services”).
By using our Services, you agree to this Policy. If you do not agree, please do not submit personal information or use the Services.
1. Who we are
Apply4U Online is a higher-education discovery and counselling platform. We help learners explore UGC-DEB entitled online / distance programmes offered by partner universities and support the enquiry and application journey. We are not a university and do not award degrees.
2. Information we collect
Depending on how you interact with us, we may collect:
- Identity & contact data: full name, email address, mobile number, state / city, preferred stream or course.
- Academic & counselling data: education background, work experience, budget preferences, documents you upload for applications, and notes from counselling interactions.
- Account data: login credentials (hashed), application status, and portal activity if you create a student or partner account.
- Technical data: IP address, browser type, device information, pages visited, referring URL, and approximate location derived from IP.
- Marketing & attribution data: UTM parameters (utm_source, utm_medium, utm_campaign), campaign IDs, and form source (homepage, counselling, contact, etc.).
- Communication data: emails, WhatsApp messages, call recordings/notes (where permitted), and chatbot / enquiry messages.
We do not knowingly collect sensitive personal data (such as passwords of third-party accounts, biometric data, or health data) unless required for a specific university process and with your knowledge.
3. How we collect information
- Directly from you via lead forms, counselling pages, registration, applications, email, phone or WhatsApp.
- Automatically via cookies, pixels, analytics and similar technologies when you browse our website.
- From partner universities or CRM tools when they update application / lead status related to your enquiry.
4. Why we use your information
- To respond to enquiries and provide free counselling / university shortlisting.
- To help you apply to partner universities and track application progress.
- To send admission updates, document reminders, fee-related guidance and service communications.
- To improve our website, Services, and user experience (analytics, debugging, security).
- To comply with legal obligations and prevent fraud or misuse.
- With your consent (or as otherwise permitted), to send promotional messages about programmes, webinars or offers. You may opt out anytime.
5. Sharing of information
We do not sell your personal data. We may share information with:
- Partner universities / institutes you are interested in or apply to, so they can process admission and contact you.
- CRM & integration providers (for example NoPaperForms / Meritto or similar tools) used to manage leads and follow-ups.
- Service providers such as hosting, email/SMS/WhatsApp delivery, analytics, payment facilitators (if used), and IT support — under confidentiality obligations.
- Legal / regulatory authorities when required by law, court order, or to protect rights, safety and security.
- Business transfers: in connection with a merger, acquisition or restructuring, subject to appropriate safeguards.
Partner universities process your data under their own policies once shared for admission purposes.
6. Cookies, analytics & advertising
We may use cookies and similar technologies (including Google Analytics, Google Tag Manager, Meta Pixel or equivalent, if configured in settings) to understand traffic, measure campaigns and improve conversions. You can control cookies through your browser settings. Disabling cookies may affect some site features.
7. Data retention
We retain personal data only as long as needed for counselling, application support, legal compliance, dispute resolution and legitimate business records. Lead and application records are typically retained for a reasonable period after last interaction unless you request deletion earlier (subject to legal holds).
8. Security
We use reasonable administrative, technical and organisational measures to protect personal data (access controls, HTTPS, hashed passwords for accounts, restricted staff access). No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure; please use strong passwords and do not share OTPs or credentials.
9. Your rights & choices
Subject to applicable Indian law (including the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, as applicable), you may request:
- Access to personal data we hold about you
- Correction of inaccurate or incomplete data
- Withdrawal of consent for marketing communications
- Deletion / erasure where legally permissible
- Grievance redressal regarding processing of your data
To exercise these rights, email admissions@apply4u.in with the subject “Privacy Request”. We may need to verify your identity before acting on the request.
10. Children’s privacy
Our Services are intended for individuals exploring higher education (typically 18+). If you are a minor, please use the Services with parent/guardian involvement. If you believe we have collected a child’s data inappropriately, contact us for deletion.
11. Third-party links
Our website may link to university sites, payment pages or social media. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those third parties. Please review their policies separately.
12. Changes to this Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The “Last updated” date at the top will change when we do. Continued use of the Services after updates constitutes acceptance of the revised Policy.
13. Contact / grievance
For privacy questions or complaints, contact:
This Policy is provided for transparency and does not constitute legal advice. For university-specific processing after you enrol, refer to that university’s privacy notice.