Paid vs Free Overseas Education Consultants for Indian Students

When you start planning to study in a different country, you will find two types of experts: free overseas education consultants and paid overseas education consultants. It is hard to know which one is better for your study abroad journey, so you need to look at how they work.

Free study abroad consultants like Shiksha or IDP don't charge students. They make their profit from university commissions. This means when you get admission, the college pays them. These are great because you get free counseling, help with your visa application, and advice on IELTS coaching without spending a single rupee. But sometimes they only tell you about partner universities because those are the ones that pay them. If you want a very specific college that is not on their list, they might not help you much.

On the other hand, paid education consultants charge an upfront fee. Since you are paying them, they usually give more unbiased advice and can help you apply to any top-ranked university in world, even the ones that don't pay commissions. They spend a lot of time on your SOP editing and profile building. However, they can be very expensive, and sometimes even after paying a lot of money, there is no admission guarantee.

Most students in India choose free consultants first because it saves a lot of money. If you have a good profile and want to go to a popular country like Canada, UK, or Australia.

Top Free Study Abroad Consultants in India 2027

Paid vs. Free Abroad Consultants

Prospective students wanting to study abroad usually get confused about the fact that they should self-apply or apply via an outside agent. Those who wish to apply to universities abroad on their own can do so if they are confident enough. Those who require help while applying to universities abroad seek help from agents. In the market, there are two types of agents - one who offers free counselling for students willing to go abroad and the other are those who charges students for counselling. 

Deciding Factors for Choosing Study Abroad Agents

For those who are yet to decide between choosing a study abroad agent for admission-related help can consider the following pointers:

• Search for study abroad counselling agents online and check their ratings.
• Shortlist 2-3 agents and then chalk out your queries and check if they are paid or unpaid.
• Finally, before settling for one, go through reviews and testimonials and then go for the best possible option.
• There is no such thing as free is better or unpaid is not, or vice versa; it's all about the reputation in the end.
• This can be a life-changing decision for you, so it is always advisable to opt for a consulting agency that is not only established but also has a positive image in the industry. This decision is going to have a huge impact on your career.

Free Consultants for Studying Abroad

Many free consultants help students who want to study abroad by offering their services at no cost. These consultants help students draft their application essays and statement of purpose (SOP). They may also help students prepare their resumes and prepare for student visa interviews. While the focus on students can be a major benefit, there can also be some disadvantages. The following sections explain these in detail.

Advantages of Free Consultants

Students who choose a consultant offering free services may benefit in the following ways:

• Free consultants may have established relationships with certain universities, which can make the application process more streamlined. However, admission is not guaranteed.
• As some free consultants have tie-ups with universities, students may receive updates about their applications sooner and may not have to wait as long for a response.
• Although they provide application services for free, some consultants work with a limited number of students. This may allow them to provide regular follow-ups and personalised support.
• When applying to universities that have a tie-up with the consultant, students may receive guidance throughout the application process and regular updates on their applications.
• Some consultants may offer application fee waivers when students apply to universities they have tie-ups with, depending on the university and its policies.

Disadvantages of Free Consultants

While there are some advantages, there can also be a few disadvantages to using a free consultant. Some of the key points are given below:

• Some free consultants may not offer applications to highly ranked universities. Students may therefore have a limited choice of universities.
• Free consultants generally work with a limited number of universities. As a result, students may have to apply only to a specific set of universities.
• University shortlisting based on a student's profile may not always be accurate or suitable. Students should research the university, course, eligibility requirements and career opportunities before making a final decision.

Top Study Abroad Education Consultants in India

Check out the list of overseas education consultants in India located in different cities/states:

Paid Consultants to Study Abroad

Along with free consultants, there are also paid consultants in the market who similarly aim to help students study abroad in their universities of choice. These agents charge a fee based on the kind of application they design, like the effort they have to put in. In some cases, the charges would be fixed based on the country and the level of degree being applied to; in other cases, it may depend on the effort that would be required from the agent's end. While applicants can take a sure shot at applying to the top-ranking universities in the world, there can be some disadvantages along with it. The following section throws light on the advantages and disadvantages of choosing a paid agent for study abroad consultation: 

Advantages of Paid Consultants

• Although admission is not guaranteed, the applicant gets the chance to apply to Tier One and Tier Two universities.
• If you are not satisfied with the services, you can terminate the contract whenever you want.
• Services such as essay writing, SoP writing, etc., are taken very seriously and are done as per the requirements of the university. This provides an extra edge to your application.
• Those students who have a strong profile should go for paid consultants, as their profile plays a significant role while applying through paid consultants.   

Disadvantages of Paid Consultants

• Generally, paid consultants are not able to have regular follow-ups with students because of the high number of students they are serving. As the number of applicants is high, paid consultants get less time to interact with the students individually, thus they are not able to dedicate an ample amount of time to each student.
• As with paid consultants, one can apply to a wide number of universities; thus, admissions are not guaranteed.

After analysing all these factors, one thing is clear: whether free or paid, with a consultant, you are going to get professional guidance, which will prove to be fruitful when you decide to apply to various universities abroad. So, now you have a clear idea of whom to consult while applying to apply for studying abroad.

To consult with our study abroad experts, sign up for free counselling from our Shiksha Abroad Counsellors.

Paid vs Free Overseas Education Consultants FAQs