Wednesday 27 February 2019

Education loan subsidy scheme: Everything you want to know!


The cost of education is increasing every day. Students face problems while funding their higher education. To facilitate access to higher education, the Government of India has introduced an education loan subsidy scheme for financially underprivileged students. Here we are explaining the characteristics of subsidized education loan in India:

  1. The objective of the scheme
This scheme is the initiative by Indian's bank association to lend a helping hand to economically unprivileged students. The government of India sponsors this subsidy which includes complete payment of interest incurred while availing an education loan. The student is also awarded a waiting period of maximum one year after completion of course when they are free to avoid the repayment.

  1. Eligibility criteria
Education loan subsidy scheme is open to all citizens of India who belong to an economically weaker section of society. All the students whose family income is less than Rs.4.5 lakh a year can avail this facility. There is no discrimination based on caste and religion. There is a separate scheme running for socially backwards students as well, and they can apply in both the programs. This scheme is applicable from April 2009 onwards
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  1. Eligible Courses
The economically weaker section of students can enroll in any institute, as long as the UGC and AICTE recognize it. The institutes established by parliamentary Acts and central & state government initiatives are also fit to apply.

  1. Documents required
To avail of this facility to forfeit the education loan interest rate, the student has to produce the family income certificate validated by an approved authority. Ministry of HRD, Government of India, issues the advisory to assign the authority to verify the documents. The student can submit the documents after due validation and avail the facility following the rules and regulations.

  1. Geographical Limit
The student is eligible for this scheme to pursue only under-graduation and post-graduation courses. Those who wish to visit abroad for studies are not eligible to apply. Some other reasons for exclusion from this facility are:
       Opting out of studies for reasons other than medical.
       Rustication of a student from the Institute on academic or disciplinary grounds.
       Enrollment for a course without completing Intermediate or 10+2 examinations.
       Enrolling for non-technical courses as sociology commerce and music.

  1. Maximum loan amount
Everyone can avail this education loan scheme irrespective of the loan amount; however, there is a limit on interest for loans up to Rs.10 lakh.

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