Education loans in India have become a very
popular method of funding higher education with the growing increase in the
cost of education. Higher cost of education in the fields like engineering,
medical and management have compelled people to finance their child’s education
in India. Most of the public sector and private sector banks offer educational
loans.
Education loan rates depend on whether you are studying in
India or abroad, the education loan amount, the time period of repaying the
loan and the course for which the loan has been taken. Students applying for
education loans to study in premier institutions or colleges are offered with
lower education loan rates.
There has been a latest discussion that the
Indian Bank’s Association will soon come up with widespread ratings of the
institutes or colleges to guide banks in making the right decisions while
granting education loans. The irony in the education
loan rates is that the students will have to give away more EMIs due to
higher education loan rates if the
institution that they want to study is not amongst the premier institutions. On
the other hand, it is possible that they would get placed on lower packages
from such institution. Banks or financial institutions give special concession
on the education loan rates of 0.5
percent for women students.
Education
loan rates comprise of two types of interest rates.
One of which is the fixed rate of interest and the other is floating rate of
interest. Customarily, nationalized banks or public sector banks offer floating
education loan rates and private or
foreign banks offer fixed education loan
rates. Education loan rates vary between 12% to 16%. Considering the
present fluctuating economic environment it is advisable to go for loans with
floating education loan rates.
One should always keep in mind that the
amount that is paid against the amount of the education loan rates will be considered for deductions from your
taxable income under section 80 (e) of the Indian income tax act when (s) he
starts paying the EMIs or till the time the duration of the loan exist.
Summary: Because of the increasing fee
structure of higher education, education loan is becoming popular day-by-day.
While applying for an education loan do a study of the education loan rates and stay updated with the financial market
trends that will help you get the loan at best possible rates.