Privacy Policy

BEMinds.org is committed to protecting your personal data in accordance with Republic Act No. 10173 — the Philippine Data Privacy Act of 2012 — and its Implementing Rules and Regulations.

Effective date: January 1, 2025 · Last updated: March 1, 2025

1. Scope and Purpose

This Privacy Policy explains how BEMinds.org Scholarship Foundation collects, uses, stores, and protects personal data submitted through our website and scholarship application portal.
This policy applies to all applicants, scholars, and visitors who interact with BEMinds.org and is issued in compliance with Republic Act No. 10173, known as the Data Privacy Act of 2012 (DPA), and its implementing rules and regulations.

2. Personal Data We Collect

Identity information: full name, date of birth, gender, and government-issued ID details.
Contact information: email address, mobile number, and home address.
Academic information: school name, grade level, strand or course, general weighted average (GWA), and academic records.
Financial information: household income, proof of financial need, and bank account details for disbursement purposes.
Documentary uploads: report cards, certificates of enrollment, income tax returns, barangay certificates, and other supporting documents.

3. Lawful Basis for Processing

We process your personal data based on one or more of the following lawful grounds under the DPA:
Consent — you have given clear, voluntary, and informed consent prior to submitting your application.
Contractual necessity — processing is necessary to evaluate your application and administer your scholarship award.
Legal obligation — processing is required to comply with applicable laws and regulations.
Legitimate interest — processing is necessary to protect the integrity of our scholarship programs.

4. How We Use Your Personal Data

To evaluate and process scholarship applications and communicate decisions to applicants.
To disburse scholarship funds and monitor academic progress of recipients.
To comply with reporting requirements of our donors, partner institutions, and government agencies.
To send important notices, program updates, and community event invitations.
To improve our website, detect fraud, and ensure the security of our systems.
With your consent, to feature your story in promotional or fundraising materials.

5. Data Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal data to third parties.
We may share your data with accredited educational institutions to verify enrollment and academic standing.
We may share necessary information with government agencies (e.g., CHED, DOST, NPC) when legally required.
We engage trusted third-party service providers who process data solely on our behalf under strict confidentiality agreements.

6. Data Retention

Application records are retained for five (5) years from the date of final decision to comply with audit and accountability requirements.
Scholar records are retained for seven (7) years after the completion or termination of the scholarship.
Website usage logs are retained for ninety (90) days and then permanently deleted.

7. Your Rights as a Data Subject

Right to be informed — to know how your personal data is being processed.
Right to access — to obtain a copy of your personal data held by us.
Right to correction — to have inaccurate or incomplete data corrected.
Right to erasure or blocking — to request deletion or suspension of processing under certain conditions.
Right to object — to object to the processing of your personal data for legitimate purposes.
Right to data portability — to receive your data in a structured, commonly used format.
Right to lodge a complaint — to file a complaint with the National Privacy Commission (NPC) at www.privacy.gov.ph.

8. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Our website uses cookies to maintain session state, remember preferences, and analyze traffic patterns.
You may configure your browser to refuse cookies, though this may limit some functionality of the site.
We do not use third-party advertising trackers or behavioral profiling technologies.

9. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal data against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction.
These measures include encrypted data transmission (HTTPS/TLS), access controls, regular security assessments, and staff training.
In the event of a personal data breach, we will notify you and the National Privacy Commission within seventy-two (72) hours of discovery.

10. Contact — Data Protection Officer

For questions, concerns, or requests related to your personal data, please contact our designated Data Protection Officer.
Email: privacy@beminds.org
Mailing address: BEMinds.org Scholarship Foundation, Philippines
We aim to respond to all data privacy inquiries within fifteen (15) business days.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal obligations.
Material changes will be communicated via email to registered users and posted prominently on this page with an updated effective date.

For questions about data privacy, email us at privacy@beminds.org or contact the National Privacy Commission. See also our Terms and Conditions.