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January 5, 2024

Your Guide to Education Loans in India

Guide to education loans

With quality education becoming expensive and costlier every year, education loans are becoming extremely popular among students.

In reality, the price of attending a reputable university is already very high. An MBA that cost 13 lakhs a decade ago, would now cost almost double that.

Parents who plan their child’s education in advance and want to provide them with the best opportunities possible to invest their money in mutual funds (MFs), fixed deposits (FDs), and stocks.

Amid all this, there still is a possibility of a financial shortfall. In such a situation, an education loan plays a critical role in bridging the gap between the shortfall and the necessary amount.

The rising cost of education

According to Forbes, education costs are rising at double the rate of inflation. In 15 years, the cost of an MBA is expected to rise from Rs 2.5 lakh to Rs 20 lakh.

So, if a couple saves Rs 2,500 per month for 15 years at a rate of 12%, they would have saved about Rs 12.5 lakhs, ultimately needing some more funds if their child decides to pursue an MBA.

Now, you must have some questions on your mind regarding the intricacies of availing of an education loan. We have tried to answer a few commonly asked questions to enhance your understanding.

1. Who can apply for a student loan?

The primary creditor is a student. A co-applicant may be a parent, partner, or sibling.

2. What is covered by a student loan?

It includes the basic course fee and other costs such as accommodation, exam fees, equipment, and other miscellaneous expenses.

3. Who can avail of a student loan?

It is available to students who wish to study in India or further their education outside the country. The overall sum available for studies in India and abroad differs from one bank to the next.

guide to education loans

4. For what courses can the loan be availed?

It is available as a full-time, part-time, or vocational course leading to graduation or post-graduation in engineering, management, medicine, hotel management, architecture, and other fields.

5. What are the eligibility criteria and documentation requirements?

To be eligible for the loan, one must be an Indian citizen who has been accepted into a college or university that is recognized by a competent authority in India or abroad.

The applicant must have completed his senior high school education.

Some banks can provide a loan even before a student has been accepted to a university.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) guidelines state that there are no upper age limits, but some banks may impose them.

Additional documents such as the institution’s admission letter, fee structure, and Class X, XII, and graduation (if applicable) mark sheets are required by the banks.

The co-applicants income records, such as salary slips or income-tax returns (ITR), are also needed.

6. Is collateral required for financing the loan?

Depending on the amount, banks will fund up to 100% of the loan. There is currently no margin money required for loans up to Rs 4 lakh.

To study in India, the applicant must contribute 5% of the necessary funds. The needed margin money for international studies, on the other hand, rises to 15%.

Banks may also need collateral for loans exceeding Rs 7.5 lakh. For loans up to Rs 4 lakh, financial institutions currently do not need any collateral or third-party guarantee.

A third-party guarantee is required for loans between Rs 4 lakh and Rs 7.5 lakh. For loans exceeding Rs 7.5 lakh, a security deposit is required.

According to the fee structure, when a loan application is approved, the banks send the funds directly to the college or university.

7. What is the rate of interest charged on the education loan?

To set an interest rate, banks use the Marginal Cost of Funds Lending Rate (MCLR) which in India ranges anywhere from 7% – 8% plus a spread (about 1 – 2.5%).

Applying with EduFund can get you interest rates starting at just 9%!

8. What is the process of repayment?

The individual availing the loan for their education is responsible for repaying the loan. In most cases, repayment begins when the course is completed.

Some banks also give you a six-month grace period after you get a job or a year after you finish your studies before you have to pay back your loan.

The repayment period is usually between 5 and 7 years, but it may also be extended to 15 or 20 years depending upon the bank and the applicant.

The bank charges a basic interest rate on a loan over the repayment period. The student’s equated monthly instalment (EMI) burden for future repayments is reduced by paying basic interest during the course duration.

9. What precautions should one take while applying for student loans?

When availing of a loan, one must consider bank fees such as transaction fees, pre-payment fees, late EMI payment fees, and so on. The majority of lenders charge a processing fee of the total loan amount.

10. Are there any tax benefits?

The interest paid on the repayment is deductible under Section 80E of the Internal Revenue Code. This tax benefit is only available to people who are paying interest on a personal loan.

The whole amount of interest charged is deductible from your taxable profits. This deduction can be taken for up to 8 years. There are no tax deductions available for the principal sum.

11. How can I apply for an education loan?

You can visit the Education Loans page on the EduFund website and fill up a simple form. You will get all the details, along with guidance from experts in the field.

FAQs

What is an education loan?

An education loan is a type of loan used for educational expenses such as tuition fees and education-related expenses like books, accommodation, living expenses, and much more. Education loans can be availed for studying only and one of the requirements is an offer letter from a reputed university/college.

Who can apply for an education loan?

The primary creditor is a student. A co-applicant may be a parent, partner, or sibling.

How can I apply for an education loan?

You can visit the Education Loans page on the EduFund website and fill up a simple form. You will get all the details, along with guidance from experts in the field.

Conclusion

Good education is extremely important in the present dynamic world. It not only boosts self-confidence in students but also equips them with skills that in turn help them lead their life in the best possible way.

Taking a loan might look frightening but in the long run, it definitely pays off, provided the student is focused and makes the best of the opportunity.

Also, since an education loan is a person’s first loan, it aids in the creation of a good credit score. If you repay the loan on time and without defaults, it would be easier for you to obtain a home loan, car loan, or any type of loan in the future.

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It guarantees the strict application of laws and rules that establish the highest standards of openness and integrity—essential for stock markets as well as for the safety and trust of investors. 2. Impact of Foreign Exchange  The volatility in the value of the US and other currencies should be taken into account while investing in US equities. This is because before any gain (or loss) for an Indian investment is realized, it would be converted using the appropriate exchange rate in the Indian rupee. The gains (or losses) will fluctuate in lockstep with changes in the exchange rate. An Indian investor must be aware that the exchange rate can be unpredictable and is influenced by a wide range of political, economic, and supply and demand variables. 3. Liberalized Remittance Scheme According to the Reserve Bank of India's Liberalized Remittance Scheme, an individual may invest up to $ 250000 per year in US equities from India (LRS). The cap covers any money sent abroad for purchases, travel, education, or other international transactions during the year. The investor's brokerage account has to be filled before making any investments in US equities. Investors must complete Form A-2, which is available from RBI-authorized dealers. Any sum over the $250000 cap requires RBI approval. Additional read: US stocks for investing in child education 4. Taxation To make your efforts worthwhile, it is crucial to take into account the tax consequences of your international assets. Due to the Double Tax Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) between the US and India, the same income cannot be taxed twice on investments made in the US stock market. 5. Dividend tax The dividends from US stocks are taxed at a fixed rate of 30% for overseas investors. However, as a result of the tax agreement between the US and India, citizens of India pay a 25% tax rate (deducted before distribution). However, because of the double tax avoidance agreement between the US and India, the tax paid in the US may be claimed as a foreign tax credit in your domestic filing. 6. Capital gains tax Your assets in the US are not subject to capital gains tax. However, India requires you to pay tax on your overseas capital gains. This may be divided into two groups.: Long-term capital gain (LTCG)If you keep the equities for more than 24 months before realizing capital gains, you will be subject to indexation advantages and a 20% tax rate in addition to any relevant fees and other surcharges. Short-term capital gain (STCG)Standard income-tax regulations apply to any gains from assets held for less than 24 months, and they are added to your ordinary taxable income. You must also take into account the recently implemented Tax Credited at Source or TCS. Under the new regulations, a 5% TCS will be applied to all international transfers over INR 7 Lakhs in a fiscal year. It is not an additional expenditure to deduct this advance tax when submitting your taxes each year. Charges on US stock-broking account  Using an Indian stock brokerage account to invest in the US stock market is prohibited. You would need to create one with a US stock brokerage company instead. To provide this service, the majority of Indian stock brokers who allow you to invest in US equities typically collaborate with a US stockbroker. You would also be required to pay certain fees for a US stock broking account, just like you would for an Indian trading account. This is something you should also take into consideration when you buy US stocks because these fees can reduce your earnings. These fees include Annual Maintenance Costs, brokerage charges, bank charges, transaction charges, and more. Invest in the US stocks with EduFund  Download the EduFund app and create an account to start investing in US stocks. With zero charges and no hassle account opening process from the comfort of your home, you can start investing in FAANG stocks in your portfolio to geographically diversify your portfolio!! Thus, investing in US firms and equities may give investors access to the worldwide market, credibility, and an opportunity to increase their wealth. Consult an expert advisor to get the right plan TALK TO AN EXPERT
5 top investments for risk-averse investors

5 top investments for risk-averse investors

All investments are associated with risks. Yet, the risk is not uniform, and it's essential to be aware of the different levels of risks linked with all types of investment instruments. This is why the first thing to consider before investing is how much of a risk appetite has – how much risk one is willing to take. Want to know the best investment options for risk-averse investors but still generate good returns? Continue reading this article to know more! What is risk averse? Risk-averse refers to an investor who chooses to preserve the capital over and above its potential to generate returns that are higher than the average. Risk can refer to many factors – volatility, currency, market, credit rating, etc. Risk-averse can also refer to a conservative investor. Low risk symbolizes stability in investments. A low-risk investment generates guaranteed reasonable returns, if not outstanding, above benchmark returns. But chances are near zero that the principal investment amount will be lost. Whereas a high-risk investment option may gain or lose money over time. Risk-averse investors are unwilling to accept market volatility. They prefer their investments to be highly liquid - readily available to be withdrawn. Such investors usually include old investors or retired individuals who depend on their savings for their daily expenses. Start Investing in Mutual Funds Is FD a good option for risk-averse investors? One should constantly adjust their returns against the current inflation rate. The current Fixed Deposit interest rates are 5-7% p.a. on average. But the current inflation rates are around 6-8% p.a. Give these figures a thought. The price you pay for your everyday goods and services is rising at 6-8%, whereas your FD investments are growing at only 5-7%. FDs do not increase the value of your money over time. In fact, you actually lose money or its purchasing power over time. Do you think FDs are the safest investment option? Banks defaulting on payments is rare but definitely possible. The Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC) guarantees Rs. 5 lakhs per person per bank if the bank defaults. Let's not forget the liquidity part of this instrument. Fixed deposits can have a lock-in ranging from 3-5 years. Banks penalize the investors for withdrawing money before the lock-in is over. This penalty is in the form of a reduction of interest rate by a certain percentage. Download App and Start Saving for Child Education What are the best investment options for risk-averse investors? The market is filled with many investment options for investors with varying risk appetites. Let's look at some of the best investment options for risk-averse investors: 1. Short-term bond fund The best alternative for investors who do not want exposure to FDs or volatile instruments. Short-term bond funds – bond funds with low maturity and a high potential to offer better returns. Debt Funds with longer maturity are subjected to interest rate risk. But short-term bonds have a lower interest rate risk as their maturity period is much lower. 2. Municipal and Corporate Bonds State and local governments and companies usually raise money by issuing bonds to the public. Bonds offer lower risk than stocks. When a company is winding up, the bondholders are given first preference in the payment and settlement order. 3. Other debt funds Other debt funds include banking and PSU Funds, ultra-short duration funds, Dynamic Bonds, etc. You could always invest a lump sum in these debt-based mutual funds and opt for a Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP). This would ensure that along with the returns being generated on your investments, you would also get a monthly income from these investments. This investment option is one of the best options for older people who want a monthly income. 4. Liquid funds Invest in top-rated liquid funds to avoid loss of capital with a higher degree of safety for your primary investment. Also, when the market moves up, your investment performs better and generates higher returns in line with the market. 5. Dividend growth stocks Stocks are not as safe as cash, savings, or other debt-based instruments. But they are safer than options and futures. Dividend-paying stocks are considered safer than high-growth ones as they minimize volatility, if not eliminate it. You don't depend on the value of the stock as you get a dividend as a regular income on your investment. Apart from debt-based investments, you could also apply a staggered investment approach in equity-based mutual funds for a long-time horizon. A periodically rebalanced portfolio helps you minimize your portfolio volatility and ensures efficient capture of up-market and down-market movements even with equity exposure.  Take the help of an Investment Advisor who will guide you through goal-based planning and help you choose the investments that are most suitable to your goals and objectives and your risk appetite. FAQsWhat type of investments do risk-averse investors prefer?  Risk-averse investors typically prefer conservative investments with lower volatility and more predictable returns. These may include government bonds, high-quality corporate bonds, certificates of deposit (CDs), and stable dividend-paying stocks. These options aim to preserve capital while providing modest growth, aligning with the risk tolerance of such investors.   What are 3 high-risk investments?  Three high-risk investments include investing in individual stocks of volatile and speculative companies, trading in cryptocurrencies known for their price volatility, and investing in startups or early-stage ventures that have higher failure rates. These investments offer the potential for significant returns but also carry a substantial risk of loss.   Which investment is the riskiest for investors?  Investing in highly speculative and unproven assets like cryptocurrencies, especially in lesser-known or new coins, can be among the riskiest options for investors. The volatile nature of these assets can lead to substantial financial losses due to sudden price fluctuations and lack of regulation.   Which investment has the highest return without risk?  No investment offers guaranteed high returns without any risk. Investments with potentially higher returns often come with varying degrees of risk. While some low-risk options like government bonds or savings accounts provide stability, they usually offer lower returns. Diversification and a clear understanding of risk are important for any investment strategy.  TALK TO AN EXPERT
5 types of mutual funds

5 types of mutual funds

Investing in mutual funds for your child’s education is always advisable. First of all, it is a less stressful option than investing in direct equity stocks because that requires you to have in-depth knowledge of market trends and fluctuations. Secondly, with mutual funds, there are a variety of schemes you can opt for depending on a range of factors. These factors could include the time period for which you can invest before liquidating, the amount of money you can invest, the amount you require to secure the education fund, the level of risk you can take, and so on.  When it comes to building an education fund, here are the top 5 types of mutual funds you can choose from. 1. Large-cap mutual funds The defining characteristic of large-cap equity funds is the fact that these funds invest in the top 100 Indian companies that have the highest market value. Large-cap mutual funds can bring in impressive returns if you remain invested for a long period. If you are a person who wants to avoid taking very high risks with your investments and has decided to invest early for your child’s education, this is the way to go. The average returns rate has historically beaten that of Fixed Deposits and similar investment alternatives. SIP Mutual Fund Investment Read More 2. Mid-cap mutual funds Mid-cap funds invest in Indian companies that come in the next best 250 in terms of market value. These funds are for you if you are ready to take on a higher level of risk. Justifiably, the return rates also tend to get higher. One way to satiate the risk appetite of mid-cap equity funds is to let them season for at least 7-10 years. If your child is in primary or middle school, investing in such a scheme will generate a wholesome amount of wealth by the time they are ready to pursue a college education.   How to track Mutual Funds? Read More 3. Equity-linked saving schemes  Among the various perks of investing in mutual funds is the tax deduction benefit. Equity Linked Saving Schemes are devoted to enabling investors to save taxes, as the name also indicates.  The only catch here is that it has a compulsory lock-in period of at least 3 years. The aim here is to keep you invested longer to counter the risk level. If you can spare that amount of time, then ELSS is definitely a go-to. An added benefit is the historically high level of returns.   Mutual Funds to invest in Child Education Read More 4. Low-risk options  There is this whole myth surrounding mutual funds that they only come with a high-risk factor. On the contrary, a debt fund is also a kind of mutual fund that comes with low risk, so much so that it remains undisturbed by market fluctuations.  Debt funds are still a better option than Fixed Deposits because they can generate a higher percentage of returns. So, if you are not in favor of taking high risks, debt funds are a go-to.  5. Hybrid mutual funds  If you are confused about your investment options or even hesitant about risking too much, the answer to your problems is a hybrid mutual fund. This kind of fund is a mixture of equity as well as debt.  Hybrid mutual funds bring in the best of both worlds. They tend to generate good returns at low risk. FAQs What are the different types of mutual funds? Large-cap mutual funds Mid-cap mutual funds Equity-linked saving schemes Low-risk options Hybrid mutual funds Which type of MF is best? The best type of mutual fund is the Hybrid mutual fund. Which MF gives the highest return? Equity-linked mutual funds are considered the mutual funds with the highest returns. Conclusion There will be miscellaneous financial goals you will be required to set if you are a family person. One among these might be to straighten up the roadmap to your child’s academic and career aspirations. The first step is calculating your expected expenses with the help of an education cost calculator. The calculator will help you draw your investment map to fulfill your child's aspirations. The earlier you invest, the more prepared you will be to make critical decisions as the moment arrives. DisclaimerMutual funds are subject to market risks. The previous performance of a fund is no guarantee of future success. Please reach out to an expert to know more about the schemes before investing.
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