Privacy Policy

1 Information we collect

a) Information you provide to us
If you contact us by email (support@checknsfas.co.za), we receive the information you send, such as your email address, name (if provided), and message content.

b) Information collected automatically
When you use our website, we (and our service providers) may automatically collect:

• IP address (may be truncated/anonymised by some services)
• Device type, browser type, operating system
• Pages viewed, time spent, clicks, and referring/exit pages
• Approximate location (city/country) derived from IP

This data helps us run the site, improve content, and keep the site secure.

2 Cookies and similar technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies (like pixels and local storage) to:

• Provide and maintain website functionality
• Measure site performance and improve user experience
• Serve and measure advertising (including Google AdSense, if enabled)

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Disabling cookies may affect how some parts of the site work.

3 Google AdSense and advertising (important)

We may display ads served by Google and other third-party advertising partners.

• Google uses cookies to serve ads
• Google may use advertising cookies (for example, the DoubleClick cookie) to:
  • Serve ads based on your visit to this site and/or other sites on the internet
  • Measure ad performance and limit repeated ads

Third-party vendors
Third-party vendors (including Google) may show ads on our site and may use cookies or similar technologies to deliver and measure ads.

Personalised vs non-personalised ads
Depending on your region, settings, and consent where required by law, Google may serve:

• personalised ads, or
• non-personalised ads

4 How to manage or opt out of advertising cookies

You can opt out of personalised ads by Google using Google’s Ads settings:

• Google Ad Settings (search “Google Ads Settings”)

You can also opt out of some third-party vendors’ personalised advertising by visiting:

• www.aboutads.info (US)
• www.youronlinechoices.eu (EU/UK)

You may also use your browser controls to delete or block cookies.

5 Analytics (traffic measurement)

We may use analytics tools (such as Google Analytics or similar services) to understand how visitors use the site. Analytics tools may collect usage data and set cookies to measure site performance.

6 How we use information

We use information to:

• Operate, maintain, and improve our website
• Understand what content is helpful (analytics)
• Serve ads and measure ad performance
• Respond to your messages
• Protect against spam, fraud, misuse, and security threats
• Comply with legal obligations

7 Sharing of information

We do not sell your personal information. We may share information in limited situations:

• Service providers (hosting, analytics, security, advertising) that help us run the site
• Legal reasons if required by law, court order, or to protect rights and safety

8 Data retention

We keep information only as long as necessary for:

• the purposes described in this policy (site operations, analytics, security), or
• responding to your requests, and
• complying with legal obligations

9 Third-party links

Our site may link to external websites (including official NSFAS resources and other information sources). We are not responsible for the content or privacy practices of those sites. Please review their policies.

10 Children’s privacy

CheckNSFAS is intended for a general audience and students seeking information. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under the age of 13. If you believe a child has provided personal information, contact us at support@checknsfas.co.za and we will take appropriate steps to remove it.

11 Security

We use reasonable safeguards to protect information. However, no method of online transmission or storage is completely secure.

12 Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will post the updated version on this page and update the effective date.

13 Contact us