1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing or using the Studo Guide platform (website, mobile application, and all related services), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms"). If you do not agree to these Terms, you may not access or use our services. These Terms apply to all users, including students, tutors, parents, sponsors, and visitors. We reserve the right to update these Terms at any time, and continued use of the platform after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.

2. Description of Service

Studo Guide is an AI-powered education guidance and academic support platform designed for South African students in Grades 8 through 12 and post-matric. Our services include education assessments, AI education coaching, academic progress tracking, tutor matching, bursary discovery, academic competitions, university application support, and APS calculation tools. We strive to provide accurate and helpful information, but we do not guarantee specific career outcomes, academic results, bursary awards, or university admissions.

3. User Accounts

To access certain features, you must create an account. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials and for all activities that occur under your account. You must provide accurate and complete information during registration and keep your information up to date. You must be at least 13 years old to create an account. If you are under 18, you should have parental or guardian consent. You may not create multiple accounts, impersonate another person, or use a false identity. We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts that violate these Terms.

4. Acceptable Use

You agree to use the platform only for lawful purposes and in accordance with these Terms. You may not: use the platform in any way that violates applicable laws or regulations; attempt to gain unauthorised access to any part of the platform; use automated systems, bots, or scrapers to access the platform; interfere with or disrupt the platform or servers; upload or transmit malware, viruses, or harmful code; use the platform to send spam or unsolicited communications; copy, reproduce, or redistribute platform content without permission; or impersonate any person or entity. We reserve the right to restrict access to users who violate these rules.

5. Tutor Services

Tutors who use the platform to offer tutoring services are independent contractors and are not employees of Studo Guide. Studo Guide acts as a platform connecting students with tutors and does not guarantee the quality, accuracy, or outcomes of tutoring sessions. Tutors are responsible for their own qualifications, conduct, and compliance with relevant laws. Payment terms between tutors and students are governed by the platform's payment policies. Studo Guide charges a platform fee on tutor transactions as disclosed in the pricing section.

6. Intellectual Property

All content on the Studo Guide platform, including but not limited to text, graphics, logos, images, software, and the overall design, is the property of Studo Guide (Pty) Ltd or its licensors and is protected by South African and international intellectual property laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, modify, create derivative works from, or commercially exploit any content from the platform without our prior written consent. Your personal assessment results and profile information remain yours, but you grant us a licence to use this data to provide and improve our services.

7. Payments and Refunds

Certain features of the platform may require payment. All prices are displayed in South African Rand (ZAR) and include applicable taxes. Payment is processed securely through our payment partner, PayFast. Subscription fees are billed in advance according to the selected billing cycle. You may cancel your subscription at any time; cancellation will take effect at the end of the current billing period. Refunds are handled on a case-by-case basis and are not guaranteed. For tutor-related payments, specific refund policies apply as disclosed during the booking process.

8. AI Services Disclaimer

Our AI-powered features, including education assessments, AI coaching, and smart matching, are provided for informational and educational purposes only. AI-generated recommendations should not be considered as professional career counselling, legal advice, medical advice, or any other form of professional advice. Career recommendations are based on assessment data and algorithms and may not account for all individual circumstances. Users should consult qualified professionals for important decisions regarding their education and career.

9. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by South African law, Studo Guide and its directors, employees, and affiliates shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising from your use of or inability to use the platform. Our total liability for any claim arising from these Terms shall not exceed the amount you paid to Studo Guide in the 12 months preceding the claim. We do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information provided through the platform, including career recommendations, bursary listings, and university data.

10. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Studo Guide, its directors, employees, agents, and affiliates from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, and expenses arising out of or in connection with your use of the platform, your violation of these Terms, or your violation of any rights of another person or entity.

11. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Republic of South Africa. Any disputes arising from these Terms or your use of the platform shall be resolved in the courts of South Africa, with the Gauteng Division of the High Court having jurisdiction. You agree to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of these courts.

12. Contact Us

If you have any questions about these Terms of Service, please contact us:

• Email: info@studoguide.co.za
• WhatsApp: +27 79 036 8318
• Address: Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa