A-Z Guide to Student Loans for Studying Abroad

✓ Eligibility Criteria Guide for Education Loan

✓ Document Checklist for Education Loan

Speak with a Financial officer

Due to high number of loan requests from your region, we are not accepting any new applications at the moment. We believe in offering quality service to our customers.

Sorry for the inconvenience caused.

Table of content

  1. A Guide to student loans eligibility to apply for an educational loan
  2. Documents required for student loans while applying for an education loan
  3. Top education loan providers in India for studying abroad
  4. Points to keep in mind while applying for an education loan in India for Study abroad
  5. Conclusion
  6. FAQ's
  7. Need Help? Ask Here!

Nowadays, with the increasing responsibilities and mounting expenses, funding education has become a crucial task for all parents as they find it difficult to self-finance their children’s education and support their dream of studying abroad. With the plethora of options available in the market to fund your education due to the huge demand to cover education loans for students who want to pursue higher education overseas, it is very important to understand the basic fundamentals of student loans for studying abroad.

As half knowledge on the subject is dangerous, you should do prior research on the market before making a decision and then choose the best option to fund your education for studying. This article will cover A-Z's guide to student loans and will give you the nitty-gritty of student loans for studying abroad. 

A Guide to student loans eligibility to apply for an educational loan

With malleable terms and conditions, most Indian banks offer loans to meritorious students at a low-interest rate who are unable to fund their education and help students to finance their study abroad.

Some of the education loan eligibility criteria to apply for an educational loan are as follows:

  • The applicant applying for an education loan must be a resident of India. 
  • The applicant must have a letter of admission from a recognized university in India or abroad.
  • The age of the applicant must be between 18-35 years while applying for a loan. 
  • The applicant must have a good/decent academic record to date.
  • The applicant must have secured admission from a deemed university or accredited educational institution.
Your education dreams are our priority. Let us help you achieve them by connecting you with the right lender

Documents required for student loans while applying for an education loan

Documents Name 

Lists of Documents

Mandatory Documents
(of the applicant and the co-applicant)

Application form duly filled and signed in by the applicant

2 passport-size photographs

Statement of course expenses

Offer letter or confirmation of admission letter

Aadhar and PAN card of the applicant

Xth/XIIth/any other higher education

Academic document
(of the applicant)

Educational mark sheet and certificate (Xth/XIIth/Degree/PG)

Proof of admission to the course

Fee structure

IELTS/GMAT/GRE Scorecard

University ranking print out form

Proof of identity
(of the applicant and the co-applicant)

Voter ID

PAN ID

Passport

Driving License

Aadhar Card

Proof of residence
(of the applicant and the co-applicant)

Voter ID Card

Passport

Electricity Bill

Telephone Bill

Ration Card

Bank account statement

Aadhar

Employment or business proof of co-applicant or guarantor

3 months salary slips (if salaried)6 months' Bank statement (if salaried)

Form 16 of the last 2 years

Employer ID card

3 years ITR (if self-employed)

6 month Bank statement (if self-employed)

Business proof (if self-employed)

Other documents

A letter stating that leftover expenses, apart from the loan amount will be borne by the co-applicant

Cheque or receipt stating the payment of the processing fee

Other cheques for Lawyer and evaluator fees (if your legal and valuation process is done by the bank itself)

Property collateral owner’s affidavit (on Rs 20 or 100 stamp paper)

Additional documents (if applicable)

Proforma invoice for travel or Laptop etc if asking for it

Receipts of advance payments made if any

All loan account statements (1 year if any pending loans)

Gap certificate if the student has a break or failure in the study

Letter explaining the reason for no ITR of co-applicant if applicable

Legal documentation (in case of collateral)

Property Title deed

Registered sale agreement/ Gift Deed/ Will

Original registration receipt for the above agreement

Allotment letter by Municipal Corporation/ Authorized Govt. Authority like MHADA, CIDCO, HUDA, DDA, JDA, GIDC, etc (only if applicable)

30 years link document or previous chain of sale deed establishing title or EC is required

Latest property tax bill and latest electricity bill bearing the same address
Copy of municipality-approved building plan or plot layout

Other important documents (in case of collateral)

If the joint property is divided into two, a clear segregation report is required

If a huge land was registered and later cut into plots, then motherland registration is required

If the property value or loan sought is more than 1 cr, two legal and two valuation reports are required

Legal documents required for Gift or Will properties

Gift deed and Will should have been registered

The property should be registered on New owner’s name

Two legal reports are required in such cases

For will properties, the Death certificate of the person who wrote the will is required
(Any Legal Heir Certificate/ Succession Certificate/ Registered Family Tree is required)

Note: As per the bank-laid norms, documents may differ from bank to bank as per the requirements of the applicant and the co-applicant. You can get in touch with our financial experts at WeMakeScholars who will assist you with all the required details for an educational loan.  

Get ready to say goodbye to financial stress with our expert support in finding the best education loan for you

Top education loan providers in India for studying abroad

There are various alternatives available in the market where multiple education loan providers are willing to lend loans to students for study abroad.

1. State Bank of India

SBI Education Loan

Values

Interest Rate

9.50% for females
10.05% for males

Min Loan Amount

20 Lakhs

Maximum Loan Amount

1.5 Cr

Tenure of Repayment

 Upto 15 years

Processing Fee

10K + 1800 GST
Approx 10K for Legal and valuation

2. Bank of Baroda

BOB Education Loan

Values

Interest Rate

Prime Universities
10.10% for Females
10.60% for Males

Non-Prime Universities
10.75% for Females
11.25% for Males

3. Bank of India

BOI Education Loan

Values

Interest Rate

Upto Rs 7.5 Lacs- 11.25 %
Above 7.5 Lacs -10.25 %  

Tenure of Repayment

Upto 15 Years

Processing Fee

No processing charge for study in India
Processing charge Rs 5000 study abroad (Excluding service tax)

4. Bank of Maharashtra

BOM Education Loan

Values

Interest Rate

Upto Rs 7.5 Lacs-10.02 %
Above 7.5 Lacs - 9.30 %

Maximum Loan Amount

Upto 10 Lacs- In India
Upto 20 Lacs- In Abroad

Tenure of Repayment

Maximum 7 years after the commencement of Repayment

5. Canara Bank

Canara Bank Education Loan

Values

Interest Rate

Upto Rs 7.5 Lacs - 10.70%
Above 7.5 Lacs - 10.50 %

Maximum Loan Amount

Upto 10 Lacs- In India
Upto 20 Lacs- In Abroad

Tenure of Repayment

Maximum 15 years after the commencement of Repayment

6. Central Bank of India

CBI Education Loan

Values

Interest Rate

9.00% for males
8.50% for females

Maximum Loan Amount

Upto 10 Lacs- In India
Upto 20 Lacs- In Abroad

Tenure of Repayment

Maximum 15 years after the commencement of Repayment

7. Indian Overseas Bank

Overseas Bank Education Loan 

Values

Interest Rate

Upto Rs 7.5 Lacs - 10.65%
Above 7.5 Lacs - 11.65 %

Maximum Loan Amount

Upto 30 Lacs- In India
Upto 40 Lacs- In Abroad

Tenure of Repayment

Maximum 7 years after the commencement of Repayment

8. Punjab National Bank of India

PNB Education Loan

Values

Interest Rate

From 4 lakhs to 7.5 lakhs-
11.40% for males
10.90% for females

Above 7.5 lakhs-
11.15% for males
10.65% for females

Maximum Loan Amount

Upto 10 Lacs- In India
Upto 20 Lacs- In Abroad

Tenure of Repayment

Maximum 15 years after the commencement of Repayment

9. Union Bank of India

Union Bank Education Loan

Values

Interest Rate

Upto Rs 4 Lacs - 11.85%
From Rs 4 Lacs to 7.5 Lacs- 11.50%
Above 7.5 Lacs - 10.60 %

Maximum Loan Amount

Upto 20 Lacs- In India
Upto 30 Lacs- In Abroad

Tenure of Repayment

Maximum 15 years after the commencement of Repayment

10. UCO Bank

UCO Bank Education Loan

Values

Interest Rate

Upto Rs 7.5 Lacs- 9.10 %
Above 7.5 Lacs - 9.50 %

Maximum Loan Amount

Upto 10 Lacs- In India
Upto 20 Lacs- In Abroad

Tenure of Repayment

Maximum 15 years after the commencement of Repayment

11. ICICI Bank

ICICI Bank Education Loan

Values

Interest Rate

Secured - 10.50%
Unsecured- 10.75%

Maximum Loan Amount

Upto 50 Lacs- Domestic Courses
Upto 1 Cr- International Courses

Tenure of Repayment

Upto 8/10 years for UG Course
Upto 10/12 years for PG Course

12. Axis Bank

Axis Bank Education Loan

Values

Interest Rate

Upto 4 Lacs- 15.20%
From 4 to 7.5 Lacs- 14.70%
Above 7.5 Lacs- 13.70%

Maximum Loan Amount

Upto 75 Lacs

Tenure of Repayment

Maximum 7 years after the commencement of Repayment

13. HDFC Bank

HDFC Education Loan

Values

Interest Rate

Upto 20 Lacs- 9.25%- 13.42%
Above 20 Lacs- 9.25%-13.52%

Maximum Loan Amount

Upto 20 Lacs- In India
No upper Limit- In Abroad

Tenure of Repayment

Maximum 7 years after the commencement of Repayment

Note: All Government Banks offer 0.50% concession in the interest of girls.

No need to beg, borrow or steal for your education. We'll help you secure a loan and leave your worries behind

Points to keep in mind while applying for an education loan in India for Study abroad

1. Check your eligibility before applying for a loan- Before applying for an education loan in India for studying abroad, check your education loan eligibility criteria in advance and then proceed ahead. 

2. Calculate the loan amount- Determine the loan amount you need to finance your education like college fees, examination, laboratory, travel expenses, cost of books, laptop, library fees, and other equipment. 
In a few cases, students forget to calculate their moratorium period while calculating EMI payments which will eventually affect the monthly payments they have to pay to their lenders. To avoid doing this, use an EMI loan calculator to calculate your monthly EMI accurately. 

3. Apply for an education loan to avoid hassle at the last moment- After confirmation of admission to the college, most colleges do not accede adequate time for fee payment. The applicant has to process sufficient funds at the last minute. To avoid hassle at the last minute, one should apply for an education loan in advance. Our team at WeMakeScholars will help you in the entire loan process and get your loan sanctioned in 15-20 days.

4. Compare other loan lenders before taking an education loan- Different banks offer different interest rates with satisfactory repayment policies. Well-versed research of the market will enable you to explore various options and help you select the top lender to fund your education abroad. 

5. Prepare all the required documents-  Check all the documents you will need to avail of an education loan. To avoid last-minute hassle arrange all the documents like collateral-related documents, legal documents, academic-related documents, etc. 

6. Plan your EMIs and repayment tenure- Education loan repayment in India for study abroad starts after the moratorium period (repayment holiday). So, keeping future perspectives in mind, plan your repayment tenure and EMIs accordingly.

Conclusion

This guide to student loans will help you navigate through all the required details. It is advised that students do their own market research before applying for an education loan and strictly meet the eligibility criteria as banks do not lend loans in case of a lack of documents.  At WeMakeScholars our team understands the requirements of the banks and also values students’ time and efforts, because of this we help students with abroad education loans with 14+ banks. We will help you get the best education loan lender according to your profile.

Education Loan FAQs

  • What is the maximum amount I can borrow for a student loan to study abroad ?

    The maximum amount you can borrow for a student loan to study abroad varies between banks and financial institutions. Generally, it ranges from Rs. 7.5 Lakhs to Rs. 1.5 Crores, depending on your creditworthiness, the course you are pursuing, and the country you are going to study in.

  • Can I transfer my student loan for studying abroad to another lender?

    Yes, you can transfer your student loan for studying abroad in India to another lender if the new lender offers a lower interest rate or better repayment terms. However, you should consider the prepayment charges and processing fees before making the switch. But it is always advisable to take the advice of WeMakeScholars experts to know about the process and other terms and conditions.

  • Are there any tax benefits for repaying a student loan for studying abroad?

    Yes, there are tax benefits for repaying a student loan for studying abroad in India under Section 80E of the Income Tax Act. You can claim a deduction for the interest paid on the loan during the repayment period.

  • Can I get a student loan for studying abroad for a short-term course or program?

    Yes, some banks and financial institutions offer student loans for studying abroad in India for short-term courses or programs. However, the loan amount may be lower, and the interest rate may be higher than for long-term courses. To know about the eligibility criteria for your course and have any doubts related to the education loan, you can request a callback and talk to our Financial officers to resolve all your doubts.

  • Can I get a student loan for studying abroad without providing proof of admission?

    No, you cannot get a student loan for studying abroad in India without providing proof of admission to a foreign university. The lender needs to verify the course details and the university's reputation before approving the loan. But you can start your application process once you decide to study abroad without an admission letter.

NEWS

Taking an Education loan and sending Money Abroad for Education? Avoid These Errors to Prevent 20% TCS

The Ministry of Finance has provided clarification on tax collected at source (TCS) for foreign remittances related to education expenses. Under the Liberalized Remittance Scheme (LRS), parents can send up to Rs 7 lakh per year for education-related expenses without being subject to TCS.
Remittances exceeding Rs 7 lakh, financed by an Education loan, will incur a TCS of 0.05%, while remittances above Rs 7 lakh without a loan will attract a TCS of 5%. Ancillary expenses for studying abroad, such as commuting tickets, tuition fees, and day-to-day expenses, will also be treated as education-related expenses and attract a lower TCS rate. To remit money under LRS, parents need to submit a declaration specifying the purpose of remittance and provide student and university details. When remitting from a loan, additional documents are required.
It is crucial to accurately track LRS codes and mention the correct code during the remittance process. The existing rates of TCS for sending money through LRS for education purposes will be in effect until September 30, 2023. 
However, other related expenses may have different considerations. Remitters must maintain accurate records of total remittances under LRS, and false information may lead to appropriate action. The ministry advises banks to obtain an additional declaration to confirm remittance limits. By adhering to these guidelines, parents can ensure compliance and support their child's education abroad

Last updated on - 10/07/2023

Indian Education Loans Soar: A New Trend Amidst Higher Living Costs

In recent years, the demand for education loans in India has experienced a sharp upswing, primarily due to a growing number of Indian students pursuing overseas education opportunities. This trend can be attributed to the rising cost of living and increased aspirations for higher education, especially among students from Tier 2 and 3 cities.

Historically, the education loan sector had faced challenges due to high NPAs. However, recent data from the RBI indicates a revival in this sector. Outstanding bank loans to the education sector in FY23 reached Rs 96,847 crore, reflecting a robust 17.1% YoY growth. By July 2023, outstanding education loans had surged to over Rs 1.03 lakh crore, marking nearly a 20% increase compared to the previous year.

Factors contributing to this growth include a rise in demand for both domestic and overseas offline courses post-COVID-19. According to government data, the number of students availing education loans for overseas education has increased by 215% over the past decade, with a threefold increase in borrowers during this period.

Despite concerns about rising NPAs in education loans, bankers remain optimistic, as the sector's share in overall personal loans remains low at around 2%. However, experts like Rathin Roy have expressed apprehensions about the increasing trend of education loans, highlighting that even affluent families are resorting to borrowing to finance their children's education, which raises concerns about the financial burden on students and their families.

Last Updated- 25/09/2023

Our Education Loan team will help you with any questions

Abhinav Raj
WeMakeScholars- supported by IT Ministry, Govt. of India.
Published: | Updated: