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The cost of education, especially for graduate and post-graduate courses, has been increasing steadily in the last couple of years. With rising inflation, parents, students and professionals alike, are finding that funding higher education in India or overseas is not as easy as it used to be.
However, a ray of hope is seen with the availability of educational loans from various banks, which can fund an individual's higher education.
As these loans are not one of the 'mainstream' loans such as home loans or personal loans, people are hesitant or mostly unaware of such options. Here are answers to some generic queries that rise in regards to educational loans.
Query | Response |
What can an educational loan be used for? In other words, for what courses can an educational loan be obtained? | Educational loans are available for higher education (full-time graduate or post-graduate course) in technology, engineering, architecture, medicine, management and applied or pure sciences, including mathematics and statistics. |
Who gives out such loans? | Most of the financial institutions and banks give out educational loans. However, it is the public sector banks that are at the forefront of such loans. |
Who is eligible for the loan? | Only the individual opting for higher studies can go in for the loan. |
What is covered under the loan? | Tuition fees payable to college/school |
What is the maximum amount lent by the bank? | The amounts given by different banks vary. Typically, for studies within India, the maximum amount is between Rs. 7.5 lakh and Rs 10 lakh. For education abroad, the maximum loan amount is Rs. 15 lakh to Rs. 20 lakh. |
What is the interest applicable on Educational loans?
| Again, the interest rates vary from bank to bank and depend on the amount of the loan taken. Typically, interest rates on educational loans range between 11.25% and 13.5%. |
Are there any other fees applicable while taking this loan? | Banks charge you processing fees for approving the loan and basically doing all the paperwork. These fees range between 2.25% and 2.50%. |
What are the documents required while applying for the loan? | The required list of documents may vary from bank to bank. The most common documents would be: |
Do I need to provide a guarantor or any other kind of security? | For smaller amounts of loans (amounts upto Rs. 4 lakh) banks do not ask for any guarantor or security. However, most banks ask for either a guarantor or for some kind of security such government securities,gold, shares, other investments etc. |
When does an individual start repaying the loan, and how much time does he have to do it? | Most banks ask you to start paying off the loan either six months or one year (varies from bank to bank) after you complete the course or six months after you have secured a job, whichever happens first. |
Are there any tax benefits for educational loans? | Under Section 80 E of the Income Tax Act, you are eligible for rebate on the interest (not on the principal) you have paid on the loan. Moreover, the best part is that there is no limit to this amount. |
Armed with this information and your ambition, no degree or course is out of your grasp. However, as with all financial transactions, the more you know, the better it is for you.
So research thoroughly, depending on your requirements, before you take the plunge.
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