Terms of Service

These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your access to and use of services provided by HRGC Scholars LLC ("Company," "we," "our," or "us"), a legally registered US-based professional consulting and advisory firm. By requesting a quote, accepting a service proposal, or making any payment, you agree to be bound by these Terms in full.

1. Description of Services

HRGC Scholars LLC provides academic consulting, career development, grant and scholarship writing, research support, one-on-one mentorship, and institutional advisory services. Services are delivered remotely via video, phone, or email unless otherwise agreed in writing. All service descriptions, deliverables, timelines, and fees are confirmed in a written quote prior to commencement of any work or charge.

2. Eligibility

You must be at least 18 years of age or have verifiable parental or guardian consent to purchase our services. By engaging with us, you represent that all information you provide is accurate, current, and complete.

3. Payments & Billing

All fees are denominated in US Dollars (USD). No payment is processed until the client has received a written quote and provided explicit acceptance. We use Stripe, Inc. as our third-party payment processor. By providing payment information, you authorize HRGC Scholars LLC to charge the exact amount stated in the accepted quote. Charges will appear on your bank or card statement as "HRGC Scholars."

HRGC Scholars LLC does not store, process, or transmit raw cardholder data. All payment data is handled exclusively by Stripe under PCI-DSS Level 1 standards. For recurring or multi-phase engagements, each billing period requires a separate written authorization. There are no automatic recurring charges unless explicitly agreed in a signed service agreement.

4. Cancellations & Rescheduling

Sessions may be cancelled or rescheduled up to 24 hours before the scheduled time without penalty. Cancellations within 24 hours may incur a fee of up to 50% of the session cost. No-shows without prior notice forfeit the session fee entirely. Project-based engagements follow the cancellation terms outlined in the individual service agreement.

5. Intellectual Property

All proprietary frameworks, templates, methodologies, and original content created by HRGC Scholars LLC remain our intellectual property. Materials delivered to clients are licensed for personal, non-commercial use only and may not be reproduced, resold, or distributed without prior written consent.

6. Confidentiality

We maintain strict confidentiality of all client information and will not disclose it to third parties except as required by law or with your explicit written consent. See our Privacy Policy for full details.

7. Disclaimer of Guaranteed Outcomes

8. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, HRGC Scholars LLC shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, consequential, special, or punitive damages. In no event shall our total liability exceed the fees paid for the specific service giving rise to the claim.

9. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless HRGC Scholars LLC and its officers, employees, and agents from any claims, damages, or expenses arising out of your violation of these Terms or use of our services.

10. Governing Law & Dispute Resolution

These Terms are governed by the laws of the United States and the applicable state in which HRGC Scholars LLC is registered. Disputes shall first be addressed through good-faith written negotiation. If unresolved within 30 days, disputes shall be submitted to binding arbitration under AAA Commercial Rules. Class action waiver applies to the fullest extent permitted by law.

11. Amendments

We reserve the right to update these Terms at any time. Material changes will be communicated to active clients via email at least 14 days before taking effect. Continued engagement constitutes acceptance of revised Terms.

12. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy and Refund Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and HRGC Scholars LLC regarding our services.

13. Contact

HRGC Scholars LLC
Email: contact@hrgcscholars.com
Location: United States of America
Hours: Mon–Fri, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM EST

Refund Policy

HRGC Scholars LLC is committed to fair, transparent billing. This Refund Policy outlines the conditions under which refunds are granted. Because our services are custom-scoped and quote-based, refund eligibility varies by engagement type and is always disclosed in the written quote before payment is made.

1. Pre-Payment Transparency

No payment is charged without the client first receiving a written quote that includes the applicable refund terms. By proceeding with payment, you acknowledge having read and accepted those terms. Questions before paying? Email contact@hrgcscholars.com.

2. Individual / One-Time Sessions

• More than 48 hours before session: Full refund to original payment method within 5–10 business days.
• 24–48 hours before session: 50% refund issued.
• Less than 24 hours before session: No refund. A one-time reschedule may be offered at our discretion.
• No-show without prior notice: No refund. Session fee forfeited entirely.

3. Project-Based Engagements

• Cancelled before work commences: full refund minus a 10% administrative fee.
• Cancelled after work begins: refund of unused pro-rata portion, less completed work at the quoted rate.
• Completed and delivered work product is non-refundable.

4. Multi-Session Retainer Engagements

Retainers may be cancelled at any time with written notice. Unused prepaid sessions are refunded at the per-session rate in the original agreement. Used sessions are non-refundable. Administrative fees are non-refundable.

5. Enterprise & Institutional Agreements

Refund terms for enterprise agreements are outlined in the individual signed contract. Fees for completed work are non-refundable. Unused prepaid fees may be credited toward future services at our discretion.

6. Non-Refundable Items

• Completed consulting sessions, regardless of outcome
• Delivered written materials, reports, or edited documents
• Engagements cancelled due to client non-compliance
• Administrative or third-party fees incurred on behalf of the client
• No-show sessions without prior notice

7. How to Request a Refund

Email contact@hrgcscholars.com with your full name, purchase date, service description, and reason for request. We respond within 2–3 business days. Approved refunds are returned to the original payment method via Stripe within 5–10 business days.

8. Chargebacks & Payment Disputes

9. Refund Processing Timeline

• 3–5 business days for us to initiate the refund via Stripe
• 5–10 additional business days for the refund to appear on your statement

10. Contact

HRGC Scholars LLC
Email: contact@hrgcscholars.com
Hours: Mon–Fri, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM EST

Privacy Policy

HRGC Scholars LLC ("we," "our," "us") respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains what data we collect, how we use and protect it, and the rights you have under applicable US law, including the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA).

1. Information We Collect

• Identity & Contact: Name, email address, phone number, state of residence.
• Service Information: Goals, documents, session notes, and project materials you share with us.
• Payment Information: Processed entirely by Stripe. We never receive, store, or access raw card numbers or CVVs.
• Communication Data: Emails, messages, and form submissions.
• Usage Data: Anonymized analytics (page views, browser type) for service improvement only — not linked to your identity.

2. How We Use Your Information

• To deliver, administer, and improve our consulting services
• To prepare, send, and follow up on quotes, invoices, and receipts
• To communicate about appointments, updates, and inquiries
• To comply with applicable US legal and regulatory obligations
• To protect against fraud and unauthorized use of our services

3. Data Sharing & Disclosure

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. Data is shared only with trusted service providers (Stripe for payments, scheduling tools, secure cloud storage) under strict data processing agreements. We may disclose data if required by law or valid governmental request.

4. Your Rights (CCPA & US Law)

• Right to Know: Request a copy of personal data we hold about you.
• Right to Delete: Request deletion, subject to legal retention requirements.
• Right to Correct: Request correction of inaccurate personal data.
• Right to Opt Out: Opt out of any data sharing (we do not sell data).
• Right to Non-Discrimination: Exercise rights without being denied services or charged different prices.

To exercise any right, email: contact@hrgcscholars.com with subject "Privacy Request." We respond within 45 days as required under CCPA.

5. Data Retention

We retain client data for as long as necessary to fulfill services and comply with legal obligations — typically no longer than 3 years after our business relationship ends, unless a longer period is required by law.

6. Security

We implement TLS/SSL encryption in transit, role-based access controls, and secure cloud storage at rest. All payment data is managed exclusively by Stripe under PCI-DSS Level 1 standards.

7. Cookies

We may use essential cookies for site functionality and anonymized analytics. We do not use tracking cookies for advertising or third-party retargeting. You may disable cookies in your browser settings.

8. Children's Privacy

Our services are not directed to individuals under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If discovered, such data is deleted promptly.

9. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party sites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those sites and encourage you to review their policies independently.

10. Changes to This Policy

Material changes will be communicated to active clients via email at least 14 days before taking effect. Continued use constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.

11. Contact

HRGC Scholars LLC
Email: contact@hrgcscholars.com · Subject: "Privacy Request"
Location: United States of America
Hours: Mon–Fri, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM EST