Privacy Notice

The Arizona Higher Education Loan Authority (AHELA) provides information online to parents, students, and educational staff. This privacy statement provides information about privacy, confidentiality and related policies for individuals who use our website. Individual web pages may provide additional information about privacy.

This website contains links to external websites, made available as a convenience to you. AHELA assumes no responsibility for the privacy practices or policies of those Sites not housed on the AHELA server. If you choose to access those Sites, you should review the Privacy statement applicable to that Site.

By using our Site, you agree that your use is subject to the AHELA Site terms and you consent to the collection, use and storage of your information by AHELA in accordance with this privacy statement. AHELA may change this Statement at any time and will display the changes here on this Site. Because your use of this Site after changes have been posted indicates your agreement with those changes, we encourage you to visit this Statement on a regular basis. If you are not comfortable with using this Site in accordance with this Statement, please do not use the Site.

INFORMATION COLLECTED

AHELA is committed to the privacy and security of personal information you provide to us during and through the use of our Site.

You may visit this Site without registering or disclosing personally identifiable information, although some areas of this Site may require a password. AHELA or one of our service providers may ask you to provide personal information, such as when you are asked to complete an online form, application, or a request with regard to a product or service from AHELA. This information may include name, physical address, phone number, email address and other personal information that you choose to provide. AHELA uses this information for purposes of communications with you, your school, the loan guarantor, the Department of Education, and other partners assisting with the student loan process or scholarship application process. AHELA also uses the information to respond to requests you may have and for marketing purposes. If you wish to update information you provided through this Site in connection with regular mailings or you wish to have your name removed from a mailing list, you may do so by sending an email or by submitting an updated form through the same communication channel you initially submitted the information or you may email general inquiries to [email protected].

In cases of suspected violations of AHELA policies, especially unauthorized access to computing systems, the system administrator concerned may authorize detailed session logging. In addition, a system administrator for the equipment involved may authorize limited searching of user files on individual or networked computers to gather evidence on a suspected violation.

DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION

AHELA does not sell or distribute confidential information it collects online to individuals or entities not affiliated with AHELA, except in the very limited circumstances described below. Non-confidential information may be distributed pursuant to Arizona Public Records law in the event such law is determined to apply to AHELA..

AHELA policies protect the confidentiality of student educational records and employee personnel information. These policies explain what information may be shared with the public or anyone who requests it. They also explain what information is protected as confidential; confidential information will not be disclosed without the consent of the student, parent, or employee, except under subpoena or court order or as otherwise authorized by law.

RETENTION OF INFORMATION

AHELA will retain personal information collected by this Site for as long as it is needed to fulfill the purpose for which the information was provided, to maintain a record of communications with you, or as required by applicable law.

PARTNERS AND SERVICERS

From time to time, individuals or companies under contract with AHELA may have access to confidential information in the course of the service they provide, but those entities are not permitted to use or re-disclose that information for unauthorized purposes. No other entities are authorized to collect information through AHELA Site.

SECURITY

Although every effort is made to secure network communications, AHELA cannot ensure the privacy of online communications.  Individuals using online services should also take steps to protect personal information, such as closing the web browser when finished using the Site. Failure to do so may result in personal information being viewed by someone else using the same computer.

AHELA-owned computers and equipment may be examined by authorized individuals to detect illegal software and to evaluate the security of the network.

If you have additional questions about online privacy or security, please e-mail the webmaster or phone (800) 731-8707 x 204.