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Education Loans for Abroad Studies
Understand & explore various categories of education loan options for abroad studies with minimal interest rates. We will cover the top lenders, eligibility, documents, and the application process in this page.
What is an Education Loan?
Education loans are a form of financial aid that helps students study without worrying about the associated costs. There are different education loans available in the lending marketplace, and students can explore the options to find the most suitable option for their profile. Education loans are also known as Student Loans.
In the study abroad space, education loans financially empower students to explore great opportunities in foreign universities. While the cost of studying abroad can be hefty for the average student from an ordinary, middle-class family, an education loan helps the student study in top-tier universities and explore better academic and professional opportunities.
Unlike in the past, education loan options are broadened today, catering to the needs of students from different financial backgrounds. We, at Nomad Credit, attempt to bridge the gap by offering expert guidance and tailored solutions for your educational needs.
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Education loan categories
Broadly, there are two types of education loans – Secured and Unsecured. See the table for a comparison of the two:
| Secured education loans | Unsecured education loans |
|---|---|
|
You need to pledge collateral security to apply for a loan. The loan amount is determined by the collateral value. |
No need to pledge collateral security. Education loan is provided against your co-borrower’s income. |
|
The rate of interest is lower than unsecured education loan options. |
Higher rate of interest than secured education loan options. |
|
Give longer repayment periods. |
The repayment period is moderate but shorter compared to secured education loan options. |
|
No need to prove your parental income. |
Your parental income must be up to the set standards. |
Among Unsecured education loans, there are different categories that cater to diverse needs such as:
- Education loans without collateral or co-borrower: Education loans without collateral or no-cosigner education loan options are offered by international lenders.
Note that your university of admission must be listed by the lenders for you to be eligible for such loans. - Education loans with a co-borrower in the US: An education loan can be availed from prominent banks in the US if you have a US citizen or permanent resident in the US as the co-borrower. They are also called US co-signer education loan for convenience.
Lenders of education loans
There are mainly three types of lenders who offer education loans to study abroad – Banks, NBFCs, and International lenders.
- Banks: Banks have been the conventional resort for education loans for years since the establishment of education loans. In India, public and private banks offer secured and unsecured education loans to study abroad. Prominent banks in the US also offer student loans to international students.
- NBFCs: Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) offer education loans to needy students with affordable terms and conditions. Compared to banks, NBFCs have relaxed terms in accepting your loan application.
- International lenders: International lenders are financial institutions with capital in one country and operations in more countries. Unlike banks or NBFCs, they offer hassle-free education loans if your profile is eligible.
Top features of education loans for abroad studies
| Features | US banks | Indian public banks | Indian private banks | Indian NBFCs | International lenders |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum loan amount | “15,000 – 220,000 USD (INR 12.5 Lakh – 1.8 Cr Approx.)” | Up to INR 1.5 Cr | Up to INR 60 Lakh – 1 Cr Approx. | Up to INR 40 – 60 Lakh Approx. | 100,000 USD (INR 83 Lakh Approx.) |
| Loan type | Unsecured | Secured & Unsecured | Secured & Unsecured | Unsecured | Unsecured |
| Interest rates | 5.66% – 16.37% APR | 9.5% – 10% | 10.28% – 12.5% | 10.5% – 13.5% | 11% – 20% APR |
| Processing fee | 0 | INR 10,000 | 1% of the loan amount | 1% of the loan amount | 5% of the loan amount |
| Repayment tenure | Up to 15 years | Up to 15 years | Up to 15 years | Up to 15 years | Up to 10 – 20 years |
| Grace period | 9 months | 6 – 12 months | 6 – 12 months | 6 – 12 months | 6 months |
| Co-borrower requirement | A US citizen or a permanent US resident is required as the financial co-borrower | No financial co-borrower is mandatory for secured loans | A financial co-borrower with sufficient income is required | A financial co-borrower with sufficient income is required | No co-borrower is required |
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Eligibility requirements for education loans
It is crucial to check the eligibility criteria before you apply for an education loan. The eligibility requirements vary for each type of education loan.
However, the following requirements need to be fulfilled to apply for any education loan:
- You must be a citizen of India or an NRI
- You must have secured or be awaiting admission to a university abroad
- You shall not have any existing loan overdue
- Your co-borrower’s CIBIL scores should be sufficient as demanded by the lender
- Documents you submit must be legally valid
Documents required for education loans for abroad studies
Documents from the student:
- Duly filled loan application form
- Recently taken passport-size photographs
- KYC documents of the student and co-borrower – Aadhar, Driving license, passport, etc.
- Address proof
- Proof of admission or application
- Academic documents – undergraduate, +2, 10th certificates
- Entrance test results – IELTS, GRE, GMAT, TOEFL, etc.
- Bank statement of the last 6 months.
Documents from the co-borrower:
- KYC documents of the student and co-borrower – Aadhar, Driving license, passport, etc.
- Address proof
- Recent passport-size photographs
- Proof of income
- Bank account statement for the last 6 months
- Salary slips of the last 3 months
- IT Returns and other documents, if self-employed co-borrower
- Collateral documents if the loan is secured
How to choose the best abroad education loan?
Taking an education loan is an important financial decision you make while being a student. Here are some checkpoints to ensure you get the best education loan:
- Interest rates: It is best to go for an education loan that has the lowest interest rates for you. Low rates of interest will help you save money, and even a small difference in education loan interest rates can cost a significant amount in loan repayment.
- Interest difference in different countries: Usually, the rate of interest will be lower in INR rates compared to USD rates. When you see an education loan in the US currency offers lower interest than education loans in India, be mindful that the rates will be much higher when converted to the Indian currency.
- Repayment period: You must choose an education loan that offers you a sufficient repayment tenure. You can either negotiate with the lender or choose a different loan option if you come across issues related to your repayment tenure.
- Tax benefits: Education loans from Indian banks and Credila offer you tax benefits under Section 80 E. You can prioritize education loan options with tax benefits to save more money.
- Other costs: There will be other charges, like Forex conversion, processing fee, Insurance cost, etc. Go through them and choose the loan option with the least possible charges.
Looking for guidance to apply for education loans?
We at Nomad Credit are committed to bringing ease and comfort to students by properly guiding them to search for the best education loan options. Our dedicated team of experts will analyze your profile and suggest the education loan options that may best fit you. And what’s more – all our services are of zero cost to you.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is margin money in education loans?
Margin money refers to the amount that the student has to contribute to the total loan amount.
For example: if your loan has a 5% margin, you will get only 95% of the loan amount, and it’s your duty to add the remaining 5% to the loan.
Can I get a 100% loan to study abroad?
Yes. If approved, many lenders offer education loans with no margin money that cover 100% of your expenses. However, it is mandatory that you meet the eligibility requirements.
What is the maximum loan amount students can get from education loans?
From Indian lenders, students can get up to INR 1.5 Cr and from banks in the US, the maximum loan amount can be up to INR 1.8 Cr. If approved, the maximum loan amount depends on your co-borrower’s income (or collateral value), country and course of study, and similar other factors.
Who can be a co-borrower for an education loan?
In India, the co-borrower must be a close relative of the student, such as a parent, sibling, spouse, parent-in-law, etc. The co-borrower must be earning the minimum income specified by lenders without any other obligations, as well as other eligibility requirements to be approved
However, for US banks, the co-borrower can be anyone who is a US citizen or a permanent resident in the country. Like in India, the co-borrower must meet the income criteria and other eligibility requirements to be approved.
Why there is insurance for education loans?
Education loan insurance helps when unexpected events, like the student’s untimely demise, occur. The insurance company will take care of the loan, thereby not troubling the student’s family with repayment.
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*Student Loan Rate and Terms Disclosure: Rates displayed include Automatic Payment and Loyalty Discounts, where applicable.Note that such discounts do not apply while loans are in deferment. The lenders on the Nomad Credit platform offer fixed rates ranging from 2.79% – 16.49% APR and variable interest rates from 4.99% – 16.85% APR. Variable rates and floating rates from Indian lenders will fluctuate over the term of the borrower’s loan with changes in the Index rate.The Index will be either LIBOR, SOFR, or the Repo Rate (for Indian lenders), depending on the lender. Rates are subject to change at any time without notice.Your actual rate may differ from the rates advertised and/or shown above and will be based on factors such as the term of your loan, your financial history (including your cosigner’s, if any, financial history), and the degree you are in the process of achieving or have achieved. While not always the case, lower rates typically require creditworthy applicants with creditworthy co-signers, graduate degrees, and shorter repayment terms (terms vary by lender and can range from 5 to 20 years), and include Automatic Payment and Loyalty Discounts, where applicable. Loyalty and Automatic Payment discount requirements, as well as lender terms and conditions, will vary by lender; therefore, reviewing each lender’s disclosures is important. Additionally, lenders may have loan minimum and maximum amounts, degree and institution eligibility, citizenship and residency requirements, and other lender-specific criteria. Lenders will conduct a hard credit pull when you submit your application. Hard credit pulls will have an impact on your credit score.