Terms of Use

Effective Date: November 25, 2025

Welcome to FirstGrad. These Terms of Use ("Terms") govern your access to and use of FirstGrad's website, platform, applications, and related services (collectively, the "Services"). By accessing or using the Services, you agree to be bound by these Terms and our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, you must not use the Services.

"FirstGrad," "we," "our," and "us" refer to FirstGrad, a student-success and education solutions provider based in Bangalore, Karnataka, India. "You" or "your" refers to the individual or entity using the Services. If you are accessing the Services on behalf of another person or institution, you represent that you are authorized to bind that party to these Terms.

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing or using the Services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to these Terms. If you are using the Services on behalf of a minor or another individual, you confirm that you have lawful authority to do so and assume responsibility for their compliance with these Terms.

2. Definitions and Interpretation

2.1 Definitions

(a) "Account" means any user profile or record created for you on our Platform.

(b) "Partner" refers to any university, institution, vendor, lender, service provider, or entity we collaborate with to deliver the Services.

(c) "User Content" means any data, text, documents, images, or other materials submitted by you.

(d) "Platform" means our websites, dashboards, applications, and related technology.

2.2 Interpretation

Headings are for convenience only and do not affect interpretation. References to laws include amendments or replacements.

3. About FirstGrad & Scope of Services

3.1 Our Role

FirstGrad provides student-support and educational services, including:

  • Counseling and profile evaluation

  • School shortlisting and application guidance

  • Documentation support

  • Visa guidance through partners

  • Education loan assistance

  • Bank account and phone plan facilitation (where applicable)

  • Accommodation and travel support

  • Technology-enabled features such as dashboards and AI-powered recommendations

3.2 Scope

Services may include application facilitation, document workflows, test-prep support, fee coordination, visa-related guidance, content access, and communication tools. We reserve the right to add, modify, or discontinue features at any time.

3.3 Changes

We may update, improve, suspend, or discontinue any part of the Services or Platform without prior notice. Continued use constitutes acceptance of the modified Services.

4. Free and Paid Services; Fees

4.1 Current Pricing

Counseling and advisory services are currently provided at no cost to students. Any fees collected through the Platform on your behalf (e.g., application fees) are transmitted directly to the applicable institution or authorized processor. FirstGrad does not retain such fees unless explicitly stated.

4.2 Future Paid Services

We may introduce premium or paid offerings in the future. Pricing and terms will be clearly published, and you will be notified before any charge is incurred.

5. No Guarantees; Third-Party Decisions

5.1 No Outcome Guarantee

We do not guarantee admission, visa approval, scholarships, job outcomes, financial aid, accommodation, or any specific result. These decisions are made independently by third parties such as universities, immigration authorities, and financial institutions.

5.2 Third-Party Reliance

We are not liable for delays, decisions, system outages, policy changes, or actions of any Partner, institution, government authority, or service provider.

6. Registration, Accounts & Student Responsibilities

6.1 Account Information

You must provide accurate and complete information and maintain the security of your Account credentials. You are responsible for all actions taken through your Account.

6.2 Student Responsibilities

By using the Services, you agree to:

(a) Provide truthful and complete information

(b) Submit required documents on time

(c) Pay applicable institutional or third-party fees

(d) Follow instructions from FirstGrad or Partners

(e) Maintain timely communication

(f) Comply with applicable laws and regulations

6.3 Verification

We may verify any information or documents submitted. Inaccurate or misleading information may result in suspension, termination, or other appropriate actions.

7. User Conduct; Prohibited Activities

7.1 Prohibited Use

You must not:

(a) Submit fraudulent or misleading information

(b) Impersonate any person or entity

(c) Harass or abuse FirstGrad staff or Partners

(d) Access or attempt to access data without authorization

(e) Introduce malware or harmful code

(f) Use the Services for unlawful or abusive purposes

(g) Misuse communication channels for spam or unsolicited messages

7.2 Consequences

Violation may result in immediate suspension or termination of your access and may expose you to legal liability.

8. User Content; License to FirstGrad

8.1 Ownership

You retain ownership of your User Content.

8.2 License

By submitting User Content, you grant FirstGrad a worldwide, non-exclusive, sublicensable, royalty-free license to use, process, modify, and share such content solely to deliver the Services and with Partners where you have provided consent.

8.3 Success Stories and Testimonials

By using our Services, you acknowledge that we may use your success story, testimonials, admission results, and related information (including your name, photograph, institution name, and program details) in our promotional and marketing materials, including but not limited to our website, social media, advertisements, and case studies. We will make reasonable efforts to notify you before featuring your story. You may opt out of such use by contacting us at hello@firstgrad.in.

8.4 Representations

You represent that you own or are authorized to share the content and that it does not violate any law or third-party rights.

9. Intellectual Property

9.1 Our IP

All Platform content, software, designs, trademarks, logos, and related intellectual property are owned by or licensed to FirstGrad.

9.2 Limited License

We grant you a limited, revocable, non-transferable license to access and use the Platform for personal, non-commercial purposes only.

9.3 Restrictions

You may not copy, modify, distribute, reverse-engineer, or create derivative works from our intellectual property without written permission.

10. Application Fee Handling & Refunds

10.1 Fee Forwarding

Fees collected on your behalf are forwarded to the applicable institution or payment processor. We do not retain such fees except where explicitly stated.

10.2 Refunds

Refund requests are subject to institutional policies and our procedures. We are not responsible for institutional delays or decisions regarding refunds.

11. Communications & Marketing

11.1 Service Communications

By using the Services, you consent to receive communications via WhatsApp, email, SMS, and telephone regarding your applications, deadlines, and service updates.

11.2 Marketing Communications

You may receive promotional messages about our services. You may opt out at any time through the unsubscribe link or by contacting us. Essential service communications will continue regardless of marketing preferences.

12. Minors

If you are under 18 years of age, you may use the Services only with the consent and supervision of a parent or legal guardian. The guardian is responsible for the minor's use of the Services and compliance with these Terms.

13. Platform Features, Storage & Data Export

13.1 Current Features

Documents and information may be submitted via various channels including email, WhatsApp, or cloud storage links.

13.2 Future Features

We may introduce user accounts, dashboards, direct uploads, payment features, AI-powered tools, and other enhancements. Use of new features is subject to these Terms.

13.3 Data Export

Where technically feasible, you may request an export of your profile or documents in a machine-readable format.

14. Data Security & Breach Response

We maintain administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect your data. In the event of a security incident, we will investigate, contain the issue, notify affected individuals where required by law, and implement remedial measures. Please refer to our Privacy Policy for detailed data-handling practices.

15. Third-Party Tools, Links and Partners

The Services may integrate with third-party tools or link to external websites. Use of third-party services is subject to their own terms and privacy policies. We are not responsible for third-party content, practices, security, or systems.

16. Limitation of Liability

16.1 Indirect Damages

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, FIRSTGRAD AND ITS AFFILIATES, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AND PARTNERS SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, INCLUDING LOSS OF PROFITS, DATA, BUSINESS, OR GOODWILL.

This includes damages arising from:

  • Third-party systems or institutional decisions

  • Service outages or interruptions

  • Unauthorized access to your account

  • Reliance on timelines, recommendations, or guidance

  • Policy changes, application rejections, or visa denials

16.2 Direct Damages

Our aggregate liability for any claims arising out of or related to these Terms or the Services is limited to the amount you paid to FirstGrad in the 12 months preceding the claim (if any).

16.3 Mandatory Exceptions

Nothing in these Terms excludes liability that cannot be excluded under applicable law, including liability for fraud, gross negligence, or willful misconduct.

17. Indemnity

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless FirstGrad, its affiliates, directors, employees, and partners from any claims, losses, damages, liabilities, and expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising from:

  • Your breach of these Terms

  • Your misconduct or violation of law

  • Your violation of third-party rights

  • Any User Content you submit

18. Termination and Suspension

We may suspend or terminate your access to the Services at any time, with or without notice, for:

  • Breach of these Terms

  • Fraudulent or misleading conduct

  • Non-compliance with our instructions or policies

  • Security concerns or illegal activity

Upon termination, you must immediately discontinue use of the Services. Certain provisions survive termination, including those related to intellectual property, liability limitations, indemnity, dispute resolution, and governing law.

19. Dispute Resolution; Arbitration

19.1 Informal Resolution

Before initiating formal proceedings, parties agree to attempt to resolve disputes informally by contacting us at hello@firstgrad.in.

19.2 Binding Arbitration

If a dispute cannot be resolved informally within 30 days, it shall be resolved by binding arbitration in Bangalore, Karnataka, in accordance with the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996. The arbitration shall be conducted in English.

19.3 Interim Relief

Either party may seek interim or injunctive relief from courts where necessary to protect rights or prevent irreparable harm.

20. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of India. The courts in Bangalore, Karnataka shall have exclusive jurisdiction for matters related to interim relief and any disputes not subject to arbitration.

21. Changes to the Terms

We may revise these Terms at any time. Updated Terms will be posted on our Platform with a revised Effective Date. Your continued use of the Services after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the modified Terms.

22. Survival

The following sections survive termination or expiration of these Terms: Intellectual Property, User Content License, Limitation of Liability, Indemnity, Dispute Resolution, Governing Law, and any other provision intended by its nature to survive.

23. General Provisions

23.1 Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and FirstGrad regarding the Services.

23.2 Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

23.3 No Waiver

Our failure to enforce any right or provision of these Terms does not constitute a waiver of that right or provision.

23.4 Assignment

You may not assign or transfer these Terms without our prior written consent. We may assign our rights and obligations without restriction.

24. Contact Us

If you have questions about these Terms, please contact us: at hello@firstgrad.in

By using FirstGrad's Services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms of Use.