Terms of Service

1. Account Eligibility & Age Restriction (14 or Older)

• Age Restriction (14 or Older): ScholarRank is strictly restricted to individuals who are 14 years of age or older. By creating an account, installing our browser extension, or accessing the Platform, you expressly affirm and warrant that you are at least 14 years old. If you are under 14 years of age, you are strictly prohibited from creating an account or providing any personal information.
• Eligibility Scope: ScholarRank is tailored for high school students seeking higher education funding, with a primary focus on Texas and San Antonio residents. You represent that all registration details you provide are truthful and accurate.
• Account Security: You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials (managed via our secure cloud authentication provider) and for all activities occurring under your account. You agree to notify us immediately of any unauthorized access.
• Accuracy of Profile Data: Your Unweighted GPA, major, grade level, and demographic information directly drive our Scholarship Match Algorithm and external application auto-fills. You are solely responsible for ensuring your Scholar Vault details remain truthful.

2. Platform Mechanics & No Guarantee Disclaimer

A. Scholarship Match & Win Probabilities (NO GUARANTEE)

NO GUARANTEE DISCLAIMER: ScholarRank provides eligibility scores, match rationales, competitiveness ratings, and win probability estimates based on algorithmic comparisons. THESE METRICS ARE ESTIMATES FOR SELF-DIRECTED RESEARCH AND ORGANIZATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. SCHOLARRANK MAKES ABSOLUTELY NO GUARANTEE, REPRESENTATION, OR WARRANTY THAT YOU WILL RECEIVE ANY SCHOLARSHIP FUNDING, FINANCIAL AID, TUITION REIMBURSEMENT, COLLEGE ADMISSION, OR MONETARY AWARDS. FINAL SELECTION DECISIONS ARE MADE EXCLUSIVELY BY INDEPENDENT THIRD-PARTY SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEES OUTSIDE OF SCHOLARRANK'S CONTROL.

B. Gamification, Points & Duels

• Virtual Engagement Markers: Points, login streaks, tier badges (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum), and leaderboard rankings are virtual platform engagement markers only. Points have zero monetary value, cannot be redeemed for cash, and are non-transferable.
• Duels & Wagers: Head-to-head application challenges ("Duels") allow users to pledge virtual platform points against peers to incentivize timely submission. Duels are friendly productivity challenges and do not constitute real-money gambling or legal wagers.
• Fair Play: Any attempt to manipulate scores, exploit bugs, or automate point accumulation is strictly prohibited.

C. Application Self-Attestation & Integrity

ScholarRank operates on a Trust-but-Verify self-attestation system. To claim completed scholarship submissions or awards and earn platform points, users self-certify their application details (such as submission date, optional confirmation reference, and notes).

Submitting false or fraudulent self-attestation claims, or claiming unearned awards, will result in immediate forfeiture of points, duel disqualification, and potential account suspension under our fair play policy.

D. Copilot Browser Extension & External Portals

The Copilot Browser Extension is designed to assist you by auto-filling fields on third-party scholarship application sites using saved profile data from your Scholar Vault.

• User Review Required: The extension does not submit applications automatically without your action. You are solely responsible for reviewing all auto-filled fields on external forms for accuracy prior to submitting an external application.
• Third-Party Sites: ScholarRank is not responsible for the content, deadlines, submission systems, or privacy practices of external scholarship websites.

E. Calendar Feed Integration

ScholarRank provides dynamic iCalendar (.ics) subscription links powered by a unique secure profile credential. You are responsible for keeping your calendar token secure. You may reset your token in your settings at any time if you believe your calendar link has been compromised.

F. Third-Party Information Aggregation & User Burden of Verification

ScholarRank functions strictly as an aggregator of third-party educational, academic, and financial aid information compiled from public domains, sponsor feeds, institutional listings, and custom user imports. ScholarRank does NOT own, operate, manage, control, sponsor, or administer any of the third-party scholarships, foundations, universities, deadlines, eligibility criteria, application portals, or monetary payouts listed on the Platform.

BURDEN OF INDEPENDENT USER VERIFICATION: YOU EXPRESSLY ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT SCHOLARRANK DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE ACCURACY, TIMELINESS, COMPLETENESS, OR AVAILABILITY OF ANY THIRD-PARTY SCHOLARSHIP LISTING, DEADLINE, ELIGIBILITY CRITERION, OR FINANCIAL PAYOUT. YOU BEAR THE SOLE, EXCLUSIVE, AND ABSOLUTE RESPONSIBILITY AND BURDEN TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY ALL SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION, APPLICATION DEADLINES, ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS, ESSAY PROMPTS, APPLICATION PROCEDURES, AND PAYOUT CRITERIA DIRECTLY ON THE OFFICIAL PRIMARY WEBSITE OF THE APPLICABLE SCHOLARSHIP SPONSOR PRIOR TO SUBMITTING ANY APPLICATION OR TAKING ANY ACTION.

3. Prohibited Conduct

When using ScholarRank, you agree not to:

• Submit false, misleading, or deceptive academic credentials, GPA data, or self-attestation claims.
• Reverse-engineer, scrape, or attempt to extract source code from the Platform or Copilot Browser Extension.
• Use automated bots, scripts, or spiders to interact with platform APIs, simulate daily logins, or manipulate leaderboard rankings.
• Harass, intimidate, or abuse other users through social features, friend requests, or duels.
• Upload malicious code, viruses, or harmful payloads through custom CSV imports or notes fields.

4. Custom Data & CSV Imports

You retain ownership of any custom scholarship data, application notes, or CSV files you upload to your Scholar Vault. By uploading content, you grant ScholarRank a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to host, process, and display that data solely to provide tracking and analytics services back to you.

5. Intellectual Property & Third-Party Non-Endorsement

All platform designs, code structures, algorithms, branding, logos, graphics, and the Copilot Browser Extension are the exclusive property of ScholarRank. You may not copy, modify, distribute, or create derivative works based on our platform intellectual property without express written permission.

Third-Party Non-Endorsement Disclaimer

THIRD-PARTY NON-ENDORSEMENT DISCLAIMER: All third-party scholarship provider names, university titles, foundation names, organization logos, and registered trademarks referenced on ScholarRank or within our database are the property of their respective trademark owners. Reference to or display of any third-party scholarship opportunity, university, or external portal does NOT constitute or imply endorsement, sponsorship, affiliation, or recommendation of ScholarRank by such third parties, nor does it imply endorsement of such third parties by ScholarRank.

6. Absolute Zero-Liability Disclaimer & Complete Limitation of Liability

100% Free Service Notice: ScholarRank is provided to all users completely free of charge. ScholarRank does not charge, collect, or accept any monetary payments, subscription fees, or financial transactions from users in any form.

• DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES ("AS IS" & "AS AVAILABLE" CLAUSE): SCHOLARRANK IS AN AGGREGATOR OF THIRD-PARTY INFORMATION. THE PLATFORM, INCLUDING THE COPILOT BROWSER EXTENSION, ALGORITHM MATCH SCORES, SCHOLARSHIP DATABASE LISTINGS, DEADLINES, PAYOUT AMOUNTS, CALENDAR SYNC FEEDS, VERIFICATION TOOLS, AND DUELS FEATURES, IS PROVIDED STRICTLY ON AN "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" BASIS WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, WHETHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED, STATUTORY, OR OTHERWISE, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ACCURACY, COMPLETENESS, TIMELINESS, NON-INFRINGEMENT, OR AVAILABILITY. SCHOLARRANK EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY WARRANTY THAT SCHOLARSHIP LISTINGS, DEADLINES, ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS, OR PAYOUT AMOUNTS ARE ACCURATE, CURRENT, OR UNCHANGED.
• Third-Party Scholarship & Payout Disclaimer: ScholarRank is an independent educational technology aggregator and does not control, manage, or award third-party scholarships listed on the Platform. ScholarRank shall not be liable for scholarship cancellations, shifting deadlines, missed application cutoffs, external portal glitches, rejection decisions, altered eligibility criteria, or unpaid monetary awards.
• Total Exclusion of All Damages: TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, SCHOLARRANK, ITS FOUNDERS, AFFILIATES, OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, SUPPLIERS, AND LICENSORS SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE, OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LOSS OF SCHOLARSHIP FUNDING, FINANCIAL AID, TUITION OPPORTUNITIES, DATA, GOODWILL, TIME, OR OTHER INTANGIBLE LOSSES ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO YOUR USE OF OR INABILITY TO USE THE PLATFORM.
• ABSOLUTE ZERO LIABILITY CAP ($0.00 USD): BECAUSE SCHOLARRANK IS PROVIDED TO YOU ENTIRELY FREE OF COST AND WITHOUT ANY MONETARY CHARGES, SCHOLARRANK'S TOTAL AGGREGATE LIABILITY TO YOU OR ANY THIRD PARTY FOR ALL CLAIMS, DISPUTES, DEMANDS, OR CAUSES OF ACTION OF ANY KIND (WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT, NEGLIGENCE, STRICT LIABILITY, OR OTHERWISE) SHALL BE STRICTLY LIMITED TO ZERO DOLLARS ($0.00 USD).
• SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDY: IF YOU ARE DISSATISFIED WITH THE PLATFORM, ANY CONTENT, ANY FEATURE, OR THESE TERMS, YOUR SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDY IS TO CEASE USING SCHOLARRANK AND DELETE YOUR ACCOUNT.
• Exclusions from Limitation: NOTHING IN THESE TERMS SHALL LIMIT OR EXCLUDE SCHOLARRANK'S LIABILITY FOR: (A) GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT BY SCHOLARRANK; (B) FRAUD OR FRAUDULENT MISREPRESENTATION; (C) DEATH OR PERSONAL INJURY CAUSED BY SCHOLARRANK'S NEGLIGENCE; OR (D) ANY OTHER LIABILITY THAT CANNOT BE LAWFULLY EXCLUDED OR LIMITED UNDER APPLICABLE TEXAS OR FEDERAL LAW.
• Force Majeure: NEITHER SCHOLARRANK NOR ITS SERVICE PROVIDERS SHALL BE LIABLE FOR ANY FAILURE OR DELAY IN PERFORMANCE DUE TO CAUSES BEYOND REASONABLE CONTROL, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: NATURAL DISASTERS, PANDEMICS, ACTS OF GOVERNMENT OR REGULATORY AUTHORITIES, INTERNET OR TELECOMMUNICATIONS FAILURES, DISTRIBUTED DENIAL-OF-SERVICE (DDOS) ATTACKS, CYBERATTACKS, POWER OUTAGES, THIRD-PARTY CLOUD SERVICE PROVIDER DISRUPTIONS, OR LABOR DISPUTES. DURING ANY SUCH EVENT, SCHOLARRANK'S OBLIGATIONS UNDER THESE TERMS SHALL BE SUSPENDED FOR THE DURATION OF THE FORCE MAJEURE EVENT.

7. Indemnification Clause

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, you agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless ScholarRank, its parent company, subsidiaries, affiliates, officers, directors, employees, agents, licensing partners, service providers, and co-branders from and against any and all third-party claims, demands, actions, suits, liabilities, losses, damages, judgments, penalties, fines, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees and court costs) arising out of or in any way related to:

• Your access to, use of, or misuse of the Platform, Copilot Browser Extension, or calendar sync feeds;
• Your User Content, custom CSV imports, personal statement notes, or submitted verification proof;
• Your breach or alleged breach of any provision of these Terms or any applicable law, rule, or regulation;
• Your violation of any third-party right, including without limitation any copyright, trademark, trade secret, privacy, publicity, or contractual right; or
• Any misrepresentation, fraud, or cheating committed by you in connection with Scholar Duels, leaderboards, or verification submissions.

ScholarRank reserves the right, at your expense, to assume the exclusive defense and control of any matter for which you are required to indemnify us, and you agree to cooperate fully with our defense of these claims.

Proportionality Limitation: Your indemnification obligations under this Section shall be limited to claims, losses, and damages directly and proximately caused by your own actions or omissions, and shall not extend to claims arising from ScholarRank's independent negligence, willful misconduct, or breach of these Terms.

8. Governing Law, Jurisdiction & Dispute Resolution

• Governing Law: These Terms and any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of or relating to these Terms, the Platform, or your relationship with ScholarRank shall be governed by, construed, and enforced in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Texas, United States, without giving effect to any conflict of law rules or principles that would cause the application of the laws of any other jurisdiction.
• Exclusive Forum & Venue: You and ScholarRank irrevocably agree that any legal action, lawsuit, or judicial proceeding arising out of or in connection with these Terms or the Platform shall be brought exclusively in the state district courts located in Bexar County, San Antonio, Texas, or the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas (San Antonio Division). You consent to personal jurisdiction and venue in such courts and waive any defense of inconvenient forum.
• Class Action Waiver: YOU AND SCHOLARRANK AGREE THAT EACH MAY BRING CLAIMS AGAINST THE OTHER ONLY IN YOUR OR ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, AND NOT AS A PLAINTIFF OR CLASS MEMBER IN ANY PURPORTED CLASS, COLLECTIVE, CONSOLIDATED, OR REPRESENTATIVE PROCEEDING.
• Jury Trial Waiver: TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, YOU AND SCHOLARRANK HEREBY WAIVE ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THESE TERMS OR THE PLATFORM.
• Mandatory Binding Arbitration: Any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of or relating to these Terms, the Platform, or your relationship with ScholarRank (except for claims in small claims court or actions for injunctive relief) shall be resolved exclusively through final and binding individual arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association ("AAA") under its Consumer Arbitration Rules. Arbitration shall take place in Bexar County, San Antonio, Texas, unless otherwise agreed. The arbitrator's decision shall be final and binding and may be entered as a judgment in any court of competent jurisdiction.
• 30-Day Opt-Out Right: You may opt out of this arbitration provision by sending written notice to legal@scholarrank.com within thirty (30) calendar days of first creating your ScholarRank account. Your opt-out notice must include your full name, email address associated with your account, and a clear statement that you wish to opt out of arbitration. If you opt out, disputes will proceed in the courts specified in the Exclusive Forum & Venue clause above.
• Minors & Parental Binding: For users under 18 years of age, this arbitration provision binds the parent or legal guardian who provided consent on the minor's behalf during account creation. By providing parental consent, such parent or guardian is deemed a party to this arbitration agreement and agrees to resolve disputes through arbitration as described herein. If a minor's parent or guardian did not provide consent, the minor's account is unauthorized under Section 1 of these Terms.
• Contractual Limitation Period: TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THESE TERMS OR THE PLATFORM MUST BE FILED WITHIN ONE (1) YEAR AFTER THE DATE ON WHICH THE CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION FIRST AROSE. FAILURE TO FILE WITHIN THIS ONE-YEAR PERIOD SHALL CONSTITUTE A PERMANENT, IRREVOCABLE WAIVER AND FORFEITURE OF SUCH CLAIM. This limitation period applies to all claims, whether based in contract, tort, strict liability, or any other legal theory.

9. Data Protection & GDPR Compliance Provisions

ScholarRank respects data privacy laws worldwide, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) (EU Regulation 2016/679), the UK GDPR, and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA/CPRA).

• Data Processing Terms: Personal data collected and processed by ScholarRank is handled in strict compliance with our Privacy Policy.
• User Data Rights: European Economic Area (EEA), UK, and Swiss users possess statutory data rights under GDPR, including the Right to Access, Rectification, Erasure ("Right to be Forgotten"), Restriction of Processing, Data Portability, and Objection. Users may exercise these rights at any time via the self-serve Data Privacy tools in their Scholar Vault settings or by emailing privacy@scholarrank.com.
• International Data Transfers: Where personal data of EEA/UK residents is transferred outside the European Economic Area, ScholarRank utilizes Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) or adequacy mechanisms to ensure an equivalent standard of protection.

10. Student Privacy Framework: FERPA, PPRA, Texas Ed Code §32.151, TxSPA & TX-NDPA

ScholarRank is committed to upholding rigorous student privacy protections pursuant to federal and Texas student privacy legislation, including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g), the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232h), the Texas Student Privacy Act (Texas Education Code § 32.151 et seq.), and the Texas Student Privacy Alliance (TxSPA) / TX-NDPA framework.

• FERPA Compliance: Academic information in Scholar Vault is provided voluntarily by you or under authorized user direction. ScholarRank does not receive or disclose non-consensual institutional education records. When operating under contract with an educational agency, ScholarRank acts as a designated "school official" with legitimate educational interests pursuant to 34 CFR § 99.31(a)(1)(i)(B), bound by strict FERPA non-disclosure requirements.
• Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA): ScholarRank does not conduct, administer, or require student participation in any surveys or evaluations concerning any of PPRA's 8 protected areas (political beliefs, mental/psychological problems, sex behavior/attitudes, illegal/anti-social behavior, critical appraisals of relatives, privileged relationships, religious practices/beliefs, or unrequired income data).
• Texas Student Privacy Act (Texas Ed Code § 32.151 et seq.): As an operator under Texas Education Code Chapter 32, Subchapter D, ScholarRank strictly covenants that it shall not:
  • Engage in targeted advertising directed to students or based on covered student information;
  • Create student profiles for non-educational or commercial purposes; or
  • Sell, rent, or commercialize covered student information to any third party.
  ScholarRank maintains reasonable administrative, physical, and technical security procedures (§ 32.153) and honors student data deletion requests from parents and school districts (§ 32.154).
• TxSPA & TX-NDPA Execution Readiness: ScholarRank stands ready to execute the standardized Texas National Data Privacy Agreement (TX-NDPA) and support Exhibit E (General Offer of Terms) with any Texas Local Educational Agency (LEA / School District) upon request. All student data processed under an LEA contract remains the exclusive property of the student, parent, or school district.
• SPPO Contact Notice: For questions regarding student privacy rights under FERPA or PPRA, or to file a complaint, contact the U.S. Department of Education's Student Privacy Policy Office (SPPO):

11. Account Termination

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your account and access to the Platform at our sole discretion, without prior notice, for conduct that violates these Terms, including submission of fraudulent verification proof, cheating in duels, or platform abuse.

You may terminate your account at any time by utilizing the "Delete My Account & Private Data" feature in your Scholar Vault or contacting legal support.

12. Modifications to Terms

We reserve the right to update or modify these Terms at any time. For material changes (including changes to dispute resolution, liability, or data practices), we will provide at least 30 days' advance notice via email to the address associated with your account and by displaying a prominent notification on your dashboard. All modifications shall apply prospectively only and shall not affect disputes arising before the effective date of the modification. If you do not agree with a material change, you may reject it by deleting your account before the change takes effect. Continued use of the Platform after the 30-day notice period constitutes acceptance of the modified Terms. Non-material changes (such as formatting, typo corrections, or clarifications that do not alter your rights or obligations) may take effect immediately upon posting.

13. Severability, Survival & Entire Agreement

• Severability: If any provision of these Terms is found by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, such provision shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable, or if modification is not possible, shall be severed from these Terms. The invalidity, illegality, or unenforceability of any single provision shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision, and all remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.
• Survival: Sections 5 (Intellectual Property), 6 (Limitation of Liability), 7 (Indemnification), 8 (Governing Law & Dispute Resolution), and this Section 13 (Severability, Survival, Assignment & Waiver) shall survive any termination or expiration of these Terms or your use of the Platform.
• Entire Agreement: These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and ScholarRank with respect to the Platform and supersede all prior or contemporaneous communications, whether electronic, oral, or written.
• Assignment: ScholarRank may assign or transfer these Terms, and any rights and licenses granted hereunder, to a successor entity in connection with a merger, acquisition, reorganization, or sale of all or substantially all of our assets, without your prior consent. You may not assign or transfer your rights or obligations under these Terms without our prior written consent. Any purported assignment in violation of this provision shall be null and void.
• No Waiver: No waiver of any provision of these Terms shall be deemed a further or continuing waiver of such provision or any other provision. ScholarRank's failure to assert or enforce any right or provision of these Terms shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision. All waivers must be in writing and signed by an authorized representative of ScholarRank to be effective.

14. Contact Us

If you have any questions, legal notices, or concerns regarding these Terms of Service, please contact us at: