Education loan to Study in USA for Indian Students

    Updated on: 29 Sep 2023

    education loan for USA

    USA is a highly sought-after study destination by international students due to its distinguished universities that offer a diverse range of experiences and opportunities. However, pursuing higher education in the USA can be costly. In the academic year 2021/2022, more than 199,000 Indian students pursued higher education in the USA, signifying its popularity among Indian students. Another reason for its popularity is the ample employment opportunities worldwide after completing a degree. Tuition fees for different programs vary, with the average fee for international graduate students at around USD 39,000. An abroad education loan is an excellent way to finance not only tuition fees but also living and other expenses. Additionally, abroad education loans for US serve as valid proof of funds for US student visas.

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    Types of abroad education loans for USA

    In general, education loan for US choices for Indian students can be classified into two categories.

    1. An education loan with collateral, also called a secured education loan, requires the applicant to pledge security along with the loan application. This security can be movable or immovable assets, such as Fixed Deposits, LIC Insurance, non-agricultural land, residential property, or commercial property. Most public banks in India mandate collateral for abroad education loans.
    2. An unsecured education loan is a type of loan that does not require the borrower to provide collateral as security. Due to the higher risk involved for the lender, the interest rates for unsecured education loans are generally higher than those for secured education loans. Additionally, these loans typically require a co-applicant or co-signer, and the loan amount is determined based on the co-applicant's income and CIBIL score.

    Secured education loans for USA

    As mentioned earlier, secured loans require you to provide collateral, which can enable you to obtain a higher loan amount compared to unsecured loans. Additionally, you may not require a co-applicant for your loan if you opt for a secured loan. If you are looking for education loan options to study in the USA, two public sector banks that you could consider are the State Bank of India (SBI) and the Union Bank of India (UBI).

    Below, we have presented a comparative study of these two banks with regard to education loans for studying in the USA.  

    Lender Name

    Maximum Loan Amount (in INR)

    Rate of Interest

    Margin Money

    SBI

    Up to 1.5 Cr

    10.65% (for girls)

    11.50% (for boys)

    10%

    UBI

    Up to 1.5 Cr

    10.5% - 10.85%

    10% (listed university)

    15% (non-listed university)

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    Unsecured education loans for studying in USA

    If you don't have collateral to offer, don't worry as there are plenty of private banks, NBFCs, and international lenders that can assist you in this situation when applying for an education loan to study in the USA. While private banks and NBFCs may require a co-applicant or co-signer with a minimum financial income and no liabilities, international lenders offer loans without a co-applicant or co-signer. Opting for international lenders may be advantageous as they provide loans to study in the USA in USD, which can help save on foreign exchange charges and other costs, but their interest rates tend to be higher.

    Hence, it can be concluded that each lender that offers education loans for USA has its own advantages and disadvantages. To assist you in selecting a suitable lender, we have created a comparative chart for all the possible lenders that offer unsecured education loans. These unsecured loans are available for all Bachelor's, MBA, and Master's.

    Lender Name

    Maximum Loan Amount 

    Rate of Interest

    Margin Money

    Axis Bank

    Up to 50 Lakhs INR

    11% - 13.50%

    5%

    ICICI Bank

    Up to 50 Lakhs INR

    10.85% - 12.50%

    0 - 15%

    IDFC FIRST Bank

    Up to 35 Lakhs INR 

    11.50% - 12.25% 

    Nil

    HDFC Credila

    Up to 65 Lakhs INR

    11.25% - 13%

    Nil

    Auxilo

    Up to 65 Lakhs INR

    11.25% - 13%

    Nil

    Incred

    Up to 60 Lakhs INR

    12.25% - 14%

    Nil

    Avanse

    Up to 75 Lakhs INR

    12.50% - 13.50%

    Nil

    MPOWER Financing

    Up to 100,000 USD

    12.99%

    (for graduate programs) 

     

    13.99%

    (for undergraduate programs)

    Nil

    Prodigy Finance

    Up to 100,000 USD

    12% - 14%

    Nil

    Expenses covered by abroad education loan for USA

    Once your loan has been approved/sanctioned then it is time to take a disbursement. Now, when it comes to disbursement, it is your choice to take out all the approved money in one go or take it out in parts as per your requirements. Usually, later is much preferred because the interest that is charged will only be on the disbursed amount not the total approved amount. So in case you decide to take disbursement of part amount then the interest that you would be paying will be less as compared to when you would have taken a full amount disbursement.

    The expenses which may be covered under loan as per the lender will include - 

    • Tuition fees
    • Living expenses (accommodation, food, utility, and more)
    • Health insurance
    • Visa fees
    • Expenses related to studies (lab fees, instruments, and more)

    Eligibility to get abroad education loan for USA

    To obtain an abroad education loan for USA as an international student, there are specific conditions/eligibility criteria that need to be fulfilled. These consist of: 

    • Confirmation of acceptance from a recognized American institution for a full-time program
    • Being at least 18 years of age
    • Having a good academic history
    • Choosing a course of study with promising career prospects
    • Collateral must be provided (in the case of secured loans).

     

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    Documents required for an abroad education loan to study in USA

    Apart from the eligibility criteria mentioned earlier, it is essential for students to ensure that they have all the required documents before applying for an education loan to study in the USA. The document checklist can be extensive, which is why GyanDhan offers a personalized document checklist to help you expedite the submission process. Some common documents that will be needed to secure a study abroad loan for the USA are:

    • Loan application form
    • Proof of admission: admission letter from university/institution
    • Fees structure from the university
    • Academic transcripts (School and Bachelor’s)
    • Standardized test scores - GMAT or GRE
    • English proficiency test score - IELTS or TOEFL or Duolingo
    • Applicant’s KYC documents
    • Passport-size photographs
    • Resident proof of the applicant and co-applicant
    • Income proof of the co-applicant (for unsecured education loan)
    • Property papers (in case of secured education loan)

     

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    How to get an abroad education loan to study in USA?

    Securing an education loan to study in the USA can be a time-consuming procedure, largely influenced by the lender you select. It is advisable to initiate the loan application process for studying in the USA around 4 to 6 months before your intended enrollment date. Managing the process individually with various lenders can be challenging. However, GyanDhan offers a simplified approach to obtaining an education loan for studying in the USA. The following steps outline how GyanDhan can assist you in acquiring an international education loan for the USA easily.

    Step 1 - Begin the loan application process for a US university by assessing your eligibility for an abroad education loan using GyanDhan's platform.

    Step 2 - Once you have completed the eligibility application, a dedicated education loan expert from GyanDhan will get in touch with you to guide you through the loan process. The expert will provide details about the loan application and suggest the two most suitable lenders based on your requirements and application. If you agree, the process will proceed.

    Step 3 - Based on the lender's specific requirements, you will receive a customized document checklist. This checklist will outline all the necessary documents and offer alternative options (if available) to simplify the document arrangement process for you.

    Step 4 - Depending on the lender's instructions, you will be requested to submit the documents either in hard copy (collected by a relationship officer) or soft copy (uploaded on the portal).

    Step 5 - Once the documents are submitted, the verification process will commence, which typically takes around 7 to 15 days, varying according to the lender and loan type. Once the loan is approved, you will receive an agreement letter for signing. The GyanDhan user dashboard allows you to monitor the real-time progress of your loan application.

    Step 6 - After signing the agreement, you can initiate the disbursement process at your convenience, following the standard procedures of the lender. Some lenders, such as private banks, may deposit the loan amount directly into your account, while international lenders may disburse the funds directly to the university.

    Repayment of abroad education loan for USA

    When obtaining an abroad education loan for the USA, repayment is an important factor that should be taken into consideration. Two key aspects to consider when choosing a lender are the repayment tenure and the moratorium repayment options. Different types of repayment tenure are available, such as partial simple interest (PSI), simple interest (SI), and EMI. To assist in choosing the best lender for your situation, a comparative guide has been created that places emphasis on repayment as a significant factor for obtaining a loan to study in the USA.

    Lender Name

    Repayment Tenure

    Repayment Option during moratorium

    SBI

    Up to 15 years

    No payment or only SI

    UBI

    Up to 15 years

    No payment or SI

    Axis Bank

    Up to 15 Years

    SI or EMI

    ICICI Bank

    Up to 10 Years

    SI or EMI

    IDFC FIRST Bank

    Up to 12 years

    PSI or SI or EMI

    HDFC Credila

    Up to 15 Years

    PSI

    Auxilo

    Up to 15 Years

    SI

    Incred

    Up to 15 Years

    PSI or SI

    Avanse

    Up to 15 Years

    PSI or SI

    MPOWER Finance

    Up to 10 Years

    SI

    Prodigy Finance

    Up to 15 Years

    SI

     

    Before initiating your education loan application process for the USA, it is crucial to thoroughly explore and compare the options provided by different lenders based on various factors. However, with GyanDhan, you can bypass the challenges by directly contacting us. By leveraging our streamlined education loan process, you can benefit from our free assistance in obtaining education loans for studying in the USA. Our knowledgeable education loan counselor will assess your academic and financial profile and discuss the available loan options suitable for you. We have established partnerships with multiple lenders in the market, including government banks, private banks, and NBFCs. So what are you waiting for, check you loan eligibility now!

    First published date: 11 May 2021


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About author

Gurbani kaur Suri
A keen lover of reading and loves to explore new things. A strong believer of spirituality and goodness.

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GyanDhan is India's first education financing marketplace.



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