Privacy Statement

ABLEnow Website Privacy Statement and Disclaimer

It is the policy of the Commonwealth of Virginia that personal information about citizens will be collected only to the extent necessary to provide the service or benefit desired; that only appropriate information will be collected; that the citizen shall understand the reason the information is collected and be able to examine their personal record which is maintained by a public body.

Our website does not automatically collect any personally identifiable information simply by your accessing the website. Combined and anonymous data are collected automatically through the operation of the website ("CA Data"). We may collect website usage data (such as which website pages you visit and in what sequence) through the use of various technologies. For example, we collect IP addresses from individuals who visit the website. An IP address is a number that is automatically assigned to your computer whenever you're surfing the web. Web servers, the computers that "serve up" webpages, automatically identify your computer by its IP address, and when you request a page from a website, its servers log your IP address. We do not link IP addresses to any personally identifiable information, so although your session will be logged, you will remain anonymous to us and the website. We may also collect password information from you when you log in, as well as computer and connection information such as browser type or version. During some visits, we may use software tools, such as JavaScript, to measure and collect session information, including page response times, download errors, time spent on certain pages, page interaction information, and methods used to browse away from the page.

Like many websites, we use "cookies" or other similar technologies to collect CA Data. A cookie is a small data file that writes to your hard drive for record keeping purposes when you visit the website. Cookies allow the website to measure traffic activity on the website and to enhance your experience by, for example, remembering your passwords and viewing preferences, allowing you to log on to certain portions of the website without having to re-enter authentication information. Most browsers are initially set to accept cookies. If you prefer, you can set your browser to refuse cookies or to alert you when cookies are being sent, but it is possible that some parts of the website will not function properly if you do so. In addition, we may use a service that collects data remotely by using so-called "pixel tags," "web beacons," "clear GIFs" or similar means (collectively, "Pixel Tags") embedded in the website's content or on banner ads on third party websites which you click on to be automatically linked to our website. A Pixel Tag is an electronic image, often a single pixel (1x1), that is ordinarily not visible to website visitors and may be associated with cookies on the visitors' hard drives. This information is anonymous data.

We may gather and securely store personally identifying information about you when you email us, call us, or speak with a representative using our online “chat” feature.  If you elect to provide us with your email address and zip code and other information requested on our website, we store this information in a secure database in order to be able to send you the information you requested. The individual who is the subject of personal information maintained by ABLEnow and the Virginia College Savings Plan (Virginia529), the Virginia state agency that will provide the ABLEnow program, may have access to that information upon written request. The Virginia Freedom of Information Act contains an exemption that protects all individual personal information in the possession of ABLEnow and Virginia529 from mandatory disclosure, except to the individual who is the subject of the information or as otherwise required by applicable law.

Virginia529, an independent agency of the Commonwealth of Virginia is established and governed by the provisions of sections 23-38.75 et seq. of the Code of Virginia (1950), as amended. Changes to the law can only be made by the General Assembly.

ABLEnow maintains this website to enhance public access to information on the construction and implementation of the ABLEnow program. We strive to keep all information on our website updated and accurate.

We do not disclose any nonpublic personal information given to us through this website except as permitted by law. We may disclose all of the information we collect, as described above, to companies that perform marketing and mailing services on our behalf and to other financial institutions with whom we have joint marketing agreements. These companies are required to adhere to our privacy and security standards and to use the information for the limited purpose for which it was shared.

In the event of any conflict between governing authorities and the information on our website, the governing authorities shall have precedence. Information on our website does not supersede the actual written contracts and agreements that will be established by ABLEnow when the program becomes available. Our system and related software and equipment are intended solely for the communication, transmission, processing, and storage of ABLEnow information.

Our website may include downloadable documents and forms. Permission to copy or print a personal use copy of this material is hereby granted and brief quotations for the purposes of news reporting and education are permitted. Otherwise, no part of this material may be used or reproduced without permission in writing from ABLEnow or Virginia529.

Unauthorized attempts to modify any information stored on this system, to defeat or circumvent security features, or to use our system for other than its intended purposes are prohibited and may result in criminal prosecution.