{"id":830,"date":"2025-03-10T06:26:36","date_gmt":"2025-03-10T06:26:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/applybuds.com\/blog\/?p=830"},"modified":"2025-05-21T04:15:30","modified_gmt":"2025-05-21T04:15:30","slug":"education-loan-to-studay-abroad-for-indian-students","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/applybuds.com\/blog\/education-loan-to-studay-abroad-for-indian-students\/","title":{"rendered":"Top Factors to Consider for Indian Families when Applying for an Education Loan to Study Abroad"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Studying abroad is an exciting opportunity for students to advance their skills and grab better work opportunities.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But the biggest roadblock for most Indian students isn\u2019t the application process or visa approval, it\u2019s figuring out how to afford it all. The tuition fees, accommodation, cost of travel, and daily expenses, all add up to a huge sum that scholarships and personal savings may not be able to cover.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Which makes education loans the most viable option. There are many education loans available today that can be secured easily without putting a lot of financial pressure on your family.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But before you jump in and apply for the first loan, it\u2019s important to understand what you are signing up for. Proper financial planning and picking the right loan provider are necessary to secure the best loan for your higher studies.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let\u2019s break down the top factors you should look for before applying for an education loan.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Discuss Education loan plans with your Parents and Financial Advisors\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An education loan is a long-term monetary commitment. For most Indian undergraduate students, the parents and immediate family will be the sole sponsor in most cases and their loan eligibility will be crucial for securing the required amount. However, for Indian MS and MBA aspirants it\u2019s important to keep your parents or guardians also involved in the decision-making process. They might be co-applicants for your loan, and their financial situation could impact your eligibility.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before leaping into this huge financial responsibility, applicants must have an open conversation about:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How much financial support the family can provide through their savings<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211;<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Who will bear the responsibility of the loan repayments while the applicant is studying<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211;<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The preferred loan type &#8211; secured with collateral or unsecured non-collateral loans<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211;<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Should you start repaying interest while studying or opt for a full moratorium period.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These questions will make financial planning easier. If possible, consult a financial advisor to compare loan options and understand the best solution based on your program duration, chosen country, repayment ability, and future earnings.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Types of Education Loans<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Education loans can be secured (collateral-based) or unsecured (non-collateral).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you are applying for a collateral loan, you will need to pledge an asset such as property, fixed deposits, or insurance policies as security. These loans usually come with lower interest rates since lenders consider them lower risk. However, the approval process may take longer due to asset verification.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For non-collateral loans, no security is required. This makes the process faster and more accessible. These loans generally have higher interest rates, and lower loan amounts with strict approval requirements, like high academic record, loans for specific courses and select universities, and co-applicant\u2019s financial requirements.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shockingly, interest rates on education loans for different study destination countries can vary by as much as 3%, potentially costing families lakhs of rupees over the loan&#8217;s lifetime.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/applybuds.com\/sign-up\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-834\" src=\"https:\/\/applybuds.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Lilacbuds-Blog-Infographic-25.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1500\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/applybuds.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Lilacbuds-Blog-Infographic-25.png 1500w, https:\/\/applybuds.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Lilacbuds-Blog-Infographic-25-300x80.png 300w, https:\/\/applybuds.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Lilacbuds-Blog-Infographic-25-1024x273.png 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Choosing the Right Education Loan Provider<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In India, students have the option to take loans from public sector banks, private banks, and Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Each loan provider has different features and benefits. While comparing loan providers, check aspects like interest rates, repayment terms, eligibility criteria, collateral requirements, and processing fees. These factors can make your decision easier and fetch the best education loan for your international studies.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here\u2019s a quick overview of different financial lenders:<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><b>Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs)<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">NBFCs provide loans with flexible terms, eligibility criteria, and quick loan approval, but tend to have slightly higher processing fees and interest rates.<\/span><\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Loan Provider<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Loan Amount<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Loan Tenure<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Interest Rates<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Collateral Requirement<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Avanse<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Minimum 1 Lakh<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Up to 15 years<\/b><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><b>10-16.5%<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Both secured and unsecured loans available<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>\u00a0<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Credila<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Up to 1 Crore<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Up to 15 years<\/b><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><b>7-15%<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Unsecured loan up to 75 lakhs<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>\u00a0<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Tata Capital<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Up to 2 Crores<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Up to 13 years<\/b><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><b>11-13.5%<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Unsecured loan up to 85 lakhs<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>\u00a0<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><b>Private Sector Banks<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Private banks offer higher loan amounts, flexible repayment terms and faster loan processing. Some banks also provide non-collateral options for bigger loan amounts but might charge higher interest rates and processing fees.<\/span><\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Bank<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Loan Amount<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Loan Tenure<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Interest Rates<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Collateral Requirements<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>\u00a0<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>ICICI Bank<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Up to 3 Crore<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>10-14 years<\/b><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><b>9.50-14.25%<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>No collateral for loan up to 1 crore for elite colleges and universities<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>\u00a0<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Axis Bank<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Up to 5 Crore<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Up to 15 years<\/b><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><b>13.70-15.20%<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Unsecured loan up to 1 Crore for top-100 ranked universities<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>\u00a0<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>HDFC Bank<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Up to 1.5 Crores<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Up to 15 years<\/b><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><b>9.55-13.25%<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>No collateral up to 50 lakhs for select universities<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>\u00a0<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>IDFC FIRST Bank<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Up to 1.5 Crores<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Up to 15 years<\/b><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><b>9.5-15%<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Collateral free loans up to 75 lakhs<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Public Sector Banks<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Public sector banks offer many government loan schemes with lower interest rates and easy repayment solutions but may require collateral for higher amounts and apply strict criteria.<\/span><\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Bank<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Loan Amount<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Loan Tenure<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Interest Rates<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Collateral Requirements<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>State Bank of India (SBI)<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>\u00a0<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Up to 3 Crores<\/b><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><b>15 years<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>9.65-10.15%<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Above a loan of 50 Lakhs<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Bank of Baroda<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Up to 1.5 Crores<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>\u00a0<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>10-15 years<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>9.45-11.45%<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Above a loan of 7.50 Lakhs<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Punjab National Bank (PNB)<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Need-based loan amount<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Up to 15 years<\/b><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><b>10-12.5%<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Above a loan of 7.50 Lakhs<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Union Bank of India<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Up to 1.5 Crores<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Up to 15 years<\/b><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><b>8-15%<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Above a loan of 40 Lakhs<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Grace period (moratorium period) before EMI repayment begins<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most education loans come with a moratorium period, meaning you don\u2019t have to start repaying the loan immediately. This period usually covers the duration of your education program plus 6-12 months after graduation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This gives students time to secure employment or figure out a repayment solution without worrying about it while studying.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some banks allow you to pay only the interest during this period, while others might give a complete break from payments. It\u2019s best to choose a lender with a flexible repayment option.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A recent study revealed that over 40% of Indian students abroad face unexpected financial shortfalls, despite securing education loans, highlighting the importance of comprehensive planning so that EMI repayments stay on track.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>Eligibility criteria for an Education Loan<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Banks and NBFCs in India have specific criteria for loan eligibility. You can check the official websites for exact details. However, most lenders follow these standard requirements:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Nationality-<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> You must be an Indian citizen. Some lenders also provide loans for NRI students, but the terms may differ.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Confirmed admission-<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> To avail of a loan, you require an acceptance letter from a recognized foreign university.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Academic qualifications-<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> You need a strong academic record for loan approval. (minimum 50% marks)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Co-applicant requirement-<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Lenders also require a co-applicant (parent\/guardian\/guarantor) with a steady income, as they are responsible for repaying the loan if the student is unable to. The co-applicant\u2019s credit score and financial stability are important factors in loan approval. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Key Documents and Fees Involved for Getting your Education Loan Approval<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To apply for an education loan with a bank or NBFC, you will need the following documents:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u00a0 <\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Loan application form<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u00a0 <\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Acceptance letter from a foreign university<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u00a0 <\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Academic records- 10<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">th<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, 12<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">th<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and degree certificates<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u00a0 <\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">KYC documents that are authentic ID proof- Aadhar Card, Voter ID, PAN, Passport<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u00a0 <\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Income proof of co-applicant (salary slips, ITR, bank statements)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u00a0 <\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Additional documents<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The list of required documents and eligibility criteria may vary depending on the lender. Check the official website for more details.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once you have gathered and submitted the required documents, the lender will review your application and verify the details before sanctioning the loan. This process typically involves assessing your academic background, the reputation of the university, and the financial stability of the co-applicant (if applicable). Some banks and NBFCs may also require a collateral evaluation if you are applying for a secured loan.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After approval, the lender will issue a sanction letter, which outlines the loan amount, interest rate, repayment terms, and disbursement schedule. At this stage, you may be required to pay sanction letter issuance fees, which can vary from lender to lender.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Once the loan is sanctioned, additional fees may apply, such as:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Processing Fees \u2013<\/strong> Typically ranges from 0.5% to 2% of the loan amount.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Sanction Amount Fees \u2013<\/strong> A nominal charge imposed by some lenders to confirm loan approval.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Foreign Exchange (FX) Charges \u2013<\/strong> If your loan is disbursed in a foreign currency, banks may apply FX conversion charges and transaction fees, which can impact the final amount received by the university.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Legal &amp; Valuation Fees \u2013<\/strong> If collateral is required, banks may charge legal and property valuation fees.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before proceeding with the disbursement, it&#8217;s crucial to check with the lender about all applicable charges to avoid any surprises. Additionally, some banks offer pre-visa disbursement, allowing students to show financial proof for visa approval.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Which is better: Taking a loan vs. self-funding?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of the most important considerations for studying abroad is the financial aspect of education. Which is the right option for you\u2014taking out a loan or funding it yourself?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For some students, self-funding is a wise choice to avoid liabilities, but for many, an education loan is the more suitable option. While self-funding can reduce debt and eliminate interest payments, it may drain your family\u2019s savings without covering all costs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On the other hand, education loans spread the cost over several years, help build a strong credit score, and offer tax benefits under Section 80E of the Income Tax Act. Under Section 80E, the interest paid on an education loan is fully deductible from taxable income for up to 8 consecutive years, starting from the year you begin repayment. Unlike other tax-saving options, there is no upper limit on the amount that can be claimed as a deduction, making it a significant financial advantage. However, note that the principal amount is not tax-deductible\u2014only the interest component qualifies for this benefit.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your family can comfortably fund your education without financial strain, self-funding may be a better option. However, if you prefer to preserve savings while benefiting from loan advantages like tax savings and flexible repayment plans, a well-structured education loan can be a smart financial decision.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/applybuds.com\/sign-up\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-833\" src=\"https:\/\/applybuds.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Lilacbuds-Blog-Infographic-26.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1500\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/applybuds.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Lilacbuds-Blog-Infographic-26.png 1500w, https:\/\/applybuds.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Lilacbuds-Blog-Infographic-26-300x80.png 300w, https:\/\/applybuds.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Lilacbuds-Blog-Infographic-26-1024x273.png 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Final thoughts<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Applying for the best education loan for your foreign studies involves considering several factors, like choosing the right financial provider, understanding repayment obligations, and planning for the future.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The right loan can ease financial stress, and let you focus on what truly matters- your education and career.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To make this decision easier for students, <a href=\"https:\/\/applybuds.com\/\">ApplyBuds<\/a> has partnered with top loan providers in India to help you find the best and secure financing options. Check out all the education loan options on our portal and take the next step towards your foreign education. <\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Studying abroad is an exciting opportunity for students to advance their skills and grab better work opportunities. But the biggest roadblock for most Indian students isn\u2019t the application process or visa approval, it\u2019s figuring out how to afford it all. The tuition fees, accommodation, cost of travel, and daily expenses, all add up to a <a href=\"https:\/\/applybuds.com\/blog\/education-loan-to-studay-abroad-for-indian-students\/\" class=\"more-link\">&#8230;<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Top Factors to Consider for Indian Families when Applying for an Education Loan to Study Abroad<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":836,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"ub_ctt_via":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-830","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-applications"],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/applybuds.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/arabian-indian-muslim-couple-family-sit-sofa-living-room-home-office-use-credit-bank-card.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"Karan Sharma","author_link":"https:\/\/applybuds.com\/blog\/author\/applybuds\/"},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/applybuds.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/830"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/applybuds.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/applybuds.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/applybuds.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/applybuds.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=830"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/applybuds.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/830\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":839,"href":"https:\/\/applybuds.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/830\/revisions\/839"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/applybuds.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/836"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/applybuds.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=830"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/applybuds.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=830"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/applybuds.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=830"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}