Rapidly changing market dynamics and current economic turmoil around the world have shrunk the marketplace. Under such cataclysmic times, it has almost become impractical for future professionals to compete without a higher degree. But rising cost of higher education is gradually snowballing into a fear psychosis among students aspiring for higher education or a foreign degree from a premier institution.

Fortunately, education loan, acting as a Good Samaritan since 2001, can be a better option you can consider to translate your dream into reality. “However, before you end up taking a loan you need to consider a few things”.

Students need to understand the eligibility criteria, types of education loans, interest rates with repayment options, interest subsidy, tax benefits and so on.

Applying for an education loan depends on certain factors like students qualify in the entrance test and obtain the cut off marks specified by the banks (not all banks have cut off marks). Students under this scheme fall under meritorious category as specified by banks.

Credit worthiness is another aspect to be considered. Though students have no credit history and qualify for education loans on this ground but sometimes their parents’ credit history is traced. So, it is equally important for their parents to have a squeaky clean history.

Employ ability assurance is another important parameter to qualify for education loan. Generally a reputed institute with a good track record of placement will make banks to be liberal in loan disbursement than for an institution of less repute.

Finding out the moratorium period of your loan is a judicious thing to do before you take up the loan. This period is usually until one year after the completion of the course or six months after the student gets a job, whichever is earlier.

One must be careful with the interest rates that bank is going to charge through EMI. These comprise fixed interest and floating interest rate. Usually, nationalized banks offer variable interest rates for student loans, while private and foreign banks offer fixed interest rates. Interest rates vary between 12 to 16 percent.

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