Margin

  Up to INR 4 lac, nil for both studies in India and abroad

  Above INR 4 lac, 5 % for inland studies and 15 % for studies

Security

The Allahabad Bank has the following security/collateral security requirements for granting loans to students. However, the requirements differ from bank to bank

Rate of interest

The rate of interest is 10.75 % up to INR 4 lac and it does not exceed the Prime Lending Rates (PLR). For a loan above INR 4 lac, the interest rate is 11.75 % and it will not exceed PLR plus 1 percent. However, the rate of interest is subject to changes as per the specifications of RBI or the concerned bank.

Repayment holiday/Moratorium

Loans are repayable in 5 to 7 years. Repayment of both principal and interest will start after one year after completion of the course or six months after getting employment, whichever is earlier. Interest will be charged on simple basis during the period of study / moratorium period. At the commencement of repayment, the accrued interest is added to the principal amount and Equated Monthly Installments (EMI’s) fixed on total outstanding amount. After commencement of repayment, the benefit of simple interest would be discontinued.

Processing Fee

Most of the Indian banks do not charge any processing fee or upfront charges. The State Bank of India accepts a deposit of INR 5000 for education loan for studies abroad, which is adjusted in the margin money.

Credit Delivery

You can avail the loan from the branch nearest to the place of your permanent domicile.

Disbursement

  In the normal course, while appraising the loan, your future income prospect is looked into. However, where required, the means of your parent/guardian can also be taken into account to evaluate re-payment capability.

  The loan is sanctioned as per delegation of powers preferably by the Branch nearest to the place of domicile. No application for educational loan received is rejected without the concurrence of the next higher authority.

  The loan is disbursed in stages as per the requirement/demand directly to the Institutions/Vendors of books/equipment’s/instruments to the extent possible.

Follow up

The bank from which you have availed the loan can contact the college/university authorities to send your progress reports, at regular intervals.

Capability Certificate

If you are going abroad to study, some of the foreign universities require you to submit a certificate from your bankers about the sponsors’ solvency/financial capability  with a view to ensure that your  sponsors are capable of meeting the expenses till completion of studies. Accordingly branches can also issue the capability certificate. For this financial and other supporting documents may be obtained from you, if required.

Documents

You need to keep the following documents in place before applying for an educational loan:

  Mark sheets of the last qualifying examination for school and graduate studies in India.

  Proof of admission to the course.

  Schedule of expenses for the course.

  Copies of letter confirming scholarship

  Copies of foreign exchange permit, if applicable.

  Two passport size photographs.

  Statement of bank account for the last six months of borrower.

  Income tax assessment order not more than two years old.

  Brief statement of assets and liabilities of borrower.

  If you are not an existing bank customer you would need to establish your identity and give proof of residence.

Finally, you need to hit on the right bank with the right educational loan scheme to suit your needs. Parameters to weigh the alternatives are many; as in, whether the bank provides loan for the course you are opting for and if yes, then up to what extent, the margin and security requirements, the rate of interest, proximity of bank to your residence, et al. The discretion is yours after a through analysis. The hit-list of the banks that offer easy, quick and reliable loans is as under:

  Allahabad Bank
  Union Bank of India
  Oriental Bank of Commerce
  Punjab and Sind Bank
  Indian Bank
  Indian Overseas Bank (Vidhya Jothi Scheme)
  Canara Bank (Vidyasagar Scheme)
  State Bank of Mysore (Gananamitra Educational Loans)
  Andhra Bank (Educational loans for Dr. Pattabhi Vidya Jyothi Scheme)
  State Bank of Hyderabad
  Bank of Punjab
  Punjab National Bank (Vidyalakshypurti Scheme)