Frequently Asked Questions
Practical answers about using SOS.
How student access, anonymity, donor purchases, delivery information, and school deployments work.
Who can register as a student?
SOS is available to students who can confirm access to an eligible U.S. college or institution-issued .edu email address. SOS relies on that email access as an eligibility signal; it is not independent proof of current enrollment.
Can a student remain anonymous?
Yes. Students can choose an identified or anonymous profile. When anonymous, only the student's school and major appear on the profile and associated SOS requests.
Who can become a donor?
Anyone with an email address they can confirm may register as a donor. Donor profiles are not publicly displayed.
Does SOS collect donations or hold money?
No. Students link to items at retailers, and donors purchase those items directly from the retailer.
When can a donor see a student's shipping address?
The address is not shown publicly. It becomes available to a donor only after that donor reserves an SOS item so the purchase can be sent to the student.
How is a pledged purchase confirmed?
The donor uploads proof such as a retailer confirmation email or a screenshot showing the transaction. This supports review and helps keep the pledge workflow current.
What is the difference between a wishlist item and an SOS?
A wishlist organizes a student's ongoing practical needs. A student can elevate a time-sensitive wishlist item into an SOS so supporters can recognize its urgency.
Can a school have its own SOS site?
Yes. SOS is being structured to support institution-specific deployments using addresses such as school.sos-app.org. Contact SOS to discuss a managed school or organization instance.
Where can I ask another question?
Use the contact page or email support@sos-app.org.