Best Education Loan in India to Study Abroad

Best Education Loan in India to Study Abroad

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Raj
Raj Vimal
Study Abroad Expert
Updated on Apr 11, 2025 13:28 IST

This guide blog is helpful in finding the best education loans in India to finance your dream of studying abroad at world-class universities. It covers the types of student loans in India, features to consider, eligibility criteria, and required documents to get a study loan.

Best education in India

Are you interested to know about the best education loan in India to finance your higher studies abroad? It is a tough task to analyze which bank is offering the most suitable student loan for studying outside India. Education loan is the best tool to allow students to borrow money to pay for their higher education in India or abroad. Many students struggle to find the best education loan which covers their needs.

Studying at top universities in the world under experienced professors and world-class infrastructure can be a life-changing experience. It can be so expensive. Students can borrow a study loan from banks and NBFCs to cover the cost of tuition fees, accommodation, travel, and other expenses related to pursuing a course of study. In this guide, we will help you find the best education loan in India for studying abroad.

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Read More: Education Loan Interest Rates

Best Education Loan in India 2025

Low-interest rates, student-friendly rules, more moratorium periods for student loans and easy repayment options are the key points to finding the best education loan in India. At the time of study loan application, most students in India prefer government student loans over those offered by private institutions due to lower interest rates and better repayment terms. It is always advisable to start planning your education loan early. For that, you should know when to start thinking about finances to study abroad.








Here we have mentioned a table to help you understand the current rate of interest of Indian Banks.

Best Education Loans in India 2025

Rate of Interest

State Bank of India Education Loan

6.70% onwards

Canara Bank Study Loan

7.30% to 9.30%

Punjab National Bank Student Loan

7.15% onwards

Bank of Baroda Education Loan

7.15% onwards

ICICI Bank Study Loan

10.50% onwards

Axis Bank Education Loan

13.70% to 15.20%

Kotak Mahindra Bank Study Loan

Up to 16.00%

HDFC Bank Study Loan

  • To Study in India- 9.50% Onwards
  • To Study Abroad- 12.50%

Types of Student Loans for Studying Abroad

Students in India can choose from various education loans to finance their studies abroad or in India. It can be taken from banks, financial institutions, and other lending agencies to support your dream to study abroad.  Before you proceed to apply for student loans in India, here are certain things to know before applying for an education loan to study abroad.







Education Loan Types

There are two main types of education loans in India.

  1. Secured Study Loan- Banks ask for collateral at the time of offering secured student loans in India. It can be anything such as a fixed deposit, property, etc. Usually, banks offer secured study loans with lower interest rates compared to unsecured loans
  2. Unsecured Student Loan- As you can understand by name, banks offer such loans without any collateral. This results in higher interest rates compared to secured loans.

Features of the Best Study Loans

Here are some important features of the best student loan in India that you should know. These factors will help you to do a quick analysis of study loans and choose the best education loan in India to study abroad.

  • Loan Amount- The maximum loan amount offered by the Banks and private institutions varies depending on courses, university and study duration. Analyze and choose the correct study loan for yourself.
  • Interest Rates- The most important factor in deciding the best study loan in India. Students prefer the study loan with lower interest rates. Note that, banks offer lower ROI loans to students with good academic records and female students. Here we have mentioned a table to help you understand the current rate of interest of Indian Banks.
  • Processing Fees- Loan processing fees are the charges to cover the administrative cost for the education loan process. It varies from bank to bank.
  • Repayment Rules- Student loan with a longer tenure allows for lower EMIs but increases the overall cost of a loan. You can use the study loan calculator available online to do an analysis.
  • Moratorium Period- A longer moratorium period allows you to delay repayment until after your studies. Public sector banks usually offer a moratorium period and a grace period or EMI holiday for student loans.
  • Pre-visa and Post-visa Disbursement- It is an important factor in deciding the best education loan in India for you. Some banks offer pre-visa disbursement to pay the tuition fees, travel arrangements and other expenses. On the other hand, some financial institutions offer post-Visa disbursement to manage the cost of living during studying abroad. Understand your need and then apply for a student loan to study abroad.
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Education Loan Providers in India

It is essential that you know about the top education loan providers in India to students for studying abroad. This will help you to compare public Vs private student loan providers and choose the ideal one for you. Below, we have mentioned an overview of the types of education loan providers in India.

Public Sector Banks

Here we have mentioned the list of public sector banks that offer student loans for studying abroad. The table will help you to get an overview of the rate of interest and maximum loan amount offered by these banks.

Bank

Rate of Interest (approx.)

Maximum Loan Amount (approx.)

State Bank of India (SBI)

9.50% - 12.50%

Up to 1.5 Crore

Bank of Baroda (BoB)

9.25% - 11.75%

Up to 75 Lakhs

Indian Overseas Bank

9.75% - 12.75%

Up to 20 Lakhs

Punjab National Bank (PNB) 

9.95% - 12.95%

Up to 75 Lakhs

Bank of Maharashtra

10.00% - 13.00%

Up to 20 Lakhs

Source: Official Website

Private Sector Banks

Check the details about the education loans offered by private banks in India to study abroad.

Bank

Rate of Interest (approx.)

Maximum Loan Amount to Study Abroad

ICICI Bank

Repo Rate+3.75%

Upto 2 Crore

Axis Bank

13.70% to 15.20%

Upto 75.00 Lakhs

Kotak Mahindra Bank

Up to 16.00%

Upto 20.00 Lakhs

HDFC Bank

  • To Study in India- 9.50% Onwards
  • To Study Abroad- 12.50%

Upto 45.00 Lakhs

Source: Official Website

NBFCs

Check out the details about study loans offered by Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) to study abroad

NBFCs

Rate of Interest (approx.)

Maximum Loan Amount to Study Abroad

HDFC Credila

12.35% Onwards

No upper Limit

Avanse Education Loan

14.25% Onwards

No Upper Limit

Auxilo Education Loan

12.70% Onwards

Up to 1 Crore

Source: Official Website

Eligibility Criteria for Best Education Loan

The eligibility criteria for student loans vary from bank to bank. However, we have mentioned some generic eligibility criteria for student loans in India.

  • Profile of students, such as age, academic background, and nationality.
  • Course reputation or university selection.
  • Profile of Co-applicant such as financial stability and creditworthiness of the co-applicant (usually a parent or guardian).

List of Documents Required for Student Loan in India

Here is the list of required documents for student loans that students need to keep it handy at the time of application.

  • Valid ID card approved by the government, such as PAN/ Passport/ Driver’s License/ Voter ID card
  • Proof of Residence/ Address (either): Recent copy of utility bill
  • Income Proof of applicant or co-applicant
  • Valid Indian Passport
  • Academic Records
  • Entrance Exam Results such as GMATGRETOEFL, and IELTS
  • Proof of admission, including the offer letter or admission letter from the university
  • Statement of cost of study/ Schedule of expenses
  • 2 passport-size photographs

How to Apply for the Best Education Loan in India?

After completing the eligibility and selecting the best education loan in India, candidates can apply for the student loan with the required documents. Below, we have mentioned the step-by-step process to apply for a study loan. Note that these steps are generic, and your application process may be different from this.

  • Visit the official website of your lender
  • Fill up the basic details asked there.
  • Upload the documents required for the application.
  • After verification, your application will get approval.

Once you will complete the application process, the amount will be credited to your account.

This is all about the best education in India. We have covered all the required information about the topic related to the query of a student who is going to study abroad. The details about study loan offered by the loan providers can get updated timely. It is advisable that select the study loan according to your need.

Q:   Who is eligible for government education loan scheme?
A:

Applicants with good academic scores and a family income of less than INR 8 Lacs per year are eligible to apply for government education loan schemes. Additionally, admission to a recognised institution, age limit, and Indian citizenship are crucial eligibility factors.

Q:   Which are important factors determining the collateral value for an Education Loan?
A:

The value of collateral for an education loan can vary depending on several criteria. Here are some factors that lenders may consider when determining the value of collateral:

  • Type of Collateral: Collateral can take many different forms, including residential real estate, non-agricultural land, fixed deposits, commercial real estate, or other valuable assets. 
  • Loan Amount: The loan amount requested could have an impact on the collateral's value. The loan-to-value ratio, which compares the loan amount to the value of the collateral, is a factor that lenders frequently take into account.
  • Repayment Capacity: The repayment ability and creditworthiness of the borrower are key factors in evaluating the value of collateral. In order to determine whether a borrower will be able to repay the loan, lenders consider things including their income, employment history, and credit history.

Keep in mind that a variety of criteria, such as the type of collateral, loan amount, collateral evaluation, repayment capacity, and lender policies, influence the value of collateral for an education loan.

Q:   Is MIT costly for Indians?
A:

MIT is not costly for Indian students. Applicants can study BTech program at affordable tuition fees as compared to other BTech colleges in the USA. The MIT BTech fees is around INR 50 L to INR 52 L.

Q:   Which is better, UIC (University of Illinois Chicago) or NIU (Northern Illinois University)?
A:

As per an unofficial source, the University of Illinois Chicago ranked at #80 among national universities which is better than the NIU ranking at #273 position. The UIC is also exceeding in terms of graduation rates and easier selection than NIU. However, the tuition cost is more affordable at Northern Illinois University as compared to UIC. Students can get more clarity from the comparison table given below:

Particulars

University of Illinois Chicago

Northern Illinois University

US News National Rankings 2024

#80

#273

Acceptance Rate

79%

70%

Graduation Rate

40%

33%

Tuition Cost

UG: INR 22L-INR 49L

PG: INR 13L-INR 37L

UG: INR 10L-INR 16.5L

PG: INR 8L-INR 45L

Student-faculty ratio

17:1

14:1

Q:   Why study at the University of Niagara Falls?
A:

The University of Niagara Falls is located in the historic downtown core of Niagara Falls, Ontario. It is a private university that offers UG and PG courses. Some of the reasons to study at this university are:

  • Student-centered approach: The dedicated faculty at UNF supports students through their academic journey, help them prioritize their success, and guides towards a meaningful career
  • State-of-the-art campus: The campus of UNF features incredible spaces for study and collaboration. There are student spaces at the university for studying and learning. Additionally, students can take part in the student clubs and associations and events hosted on-campus
  • Awards and scholarships: This university assists students through a variety of entrance awards and academic scholarships
  • Location: While studying at UNF, students have the chance to live and study in Canada's #1 tourist destination
Q:   What type of programs are offered by ICM Canada?
A:

ICM Canada offers UTP Stage I and Stage II programs. The UTP Stage II program is equivalent to the first-year university program at the University of Manitoba. When students complete the ICM Stage II program, they will be eligible to get transferred to the second year of the degree at the University of Manitoba. UTP Stage I a foundation or pre-university studies programme that acts as a bridge between secondary school and university studies.

Study areas of the UTP Stage II programs are:

  • Agriculture and Food Sciences
  • Engineering
  • Business
  • Environment, Earth, and Resources
  • Science
  • Recreation Management and Community Development
Q:   Is Cambrian College in Canada a good option for international students?
A:

Cambrian College in Canada is largely recognised as a prestigious institution, making it an attractive option for overseas students. The college provides a wide choice of programmes, and its accreditation guarantees respect to academic standards. Prospective students should carefully assess Cambrian College's suitability in terms of individual programme offers, campus facilities, location, and foreign student support services. The total cost of education, including tuition and living expenses, should also be considered, as well as any available financial help or scholarships. For the most up-to-date and accurate information, check Cambrian College's official website, contact international student services, and speak with current or former international students for firsthand experiences.

Q:   What is the maximum and minimum score in GRE to get admission for MS in USA?
A:

GRE is a popular standardised test for getting admission in MS program in the world. However, there are many universities in the USA that offer admission to MS courses without GRE scores. There is fixed minimum or maximum GRE score for admission. However, even if your GRE score is below the average for a particular program, you may still be considered for admission if you have strong qualifications in other areas. It is adviseble to check university website for the exact information.

About the Author
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Written by
Raj Vimal
Study Abroad Expert

Raj Vimal has experience of 7+ years in SEO Content Writing, which includes 5+ years in the Ed-Tech industry. He has written articles about studying abroad, especially in the USA, UK, and other English-speaking coun... Read Full Bio

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