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Prodigy Finance Vs Other Indian Banks For Study Abroad Loans

Prodigy Finance Vs Other Indian Banks For Study Abroad Loans

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Discover how Prodigy Finance outshines Indian banks with no collateral, a faster digital loan process, global university coverage, and flexible repayment options.

GyanDhan
Dipali Negi
Updated on:  05 May 2025 | 68 | 7  min read

Higher education in a foreign country requires a hefty amount, which is challenging to arrange. However, the changing currency rates and inflation have added to the pressure. To counter this concern, the usage of education loans is increasing. Even if the demand is increasing, Indian banks ask for a long list of documents, including patience and time. Thus, these old-age ways become a concern for the students, especially those who are looking for funds in a hurry. In this chaos, the new-age lenders like Prodigy Finance are bringing a revolution. How? All the facts and features are explained in the guide below. 

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Overview: Prodigy Finance vs Indian Banks

The general overview could help you differentiate between the features offered by an Indian lender and Prodigy Finance.

Feature Prodigy Finance Indian Banks
Collateral Requirement No Yes (for higher loan amounts)
Co-Applicant Requirement Offers loans with and without a co-applicant Mandatory
Application Process Fully online Heavy paperwork, in-person
Coverage of Universities Wide global coverage Limited to pre-approved institutions
Interest Type Variable (based on international benchmarks) Fixed or Floating (based on MCLR)
Repayment Start Time 6 months after course completion Often during the course or immediately after
Credit History Benefit Builds international credit history Builds only domestic credit history

 

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Features of Education Loan Prodigy Finance vs Indian Banks

Knowing the loan features that both lenders provide to the borrower helps in understanding the offerings and also affects the deciding factors between the lenders. 

Loan Structure:

Prodigy Finance offers two types of unsecured loans: co-signer loans and no co-signer loans. However, collateral isn't required for either loan, and the eligibility is based on academic profile and future earning potential.

 

On the other hand, Indian banks provide only one type of unsecured loan where a co-applicant is mandatory. The eligibility is based heavily on the co-signer's financials.

Application Process:

Prodigy Finance has a fully online process, quick approval turnaround, and no physical documentation needed.

 

But, Indian banks have offline with in-person visits, lengthy approval times, and extensive paperwork.

Loan Disbursement:

Funds are disbursed by Prodigy directly to the university, with options for multiple disbursements and currency match. However, the amount is disbursed when a student reaches the university and signs the loan agreement. Therefore, help you avoid extra interest if any delay happens during the visa process.

 

On the other hand, Indian banks disburse in Indian rupees and require manual coordination for international transfers, with fewer options for phased disbursement.

 

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Processing Fee:

Prodigy Finance charges USD 500 to provide the sanction letter as the upfront payment; however, a 4% processing fee gets added to the loan amount.

 

However, Indian banks are convenient on this front. They charge around a 1-2% processing fee, but you need to pay the amount upfront, and no other charges are required. Some banks,;l like ICICI Bank,refund the processing fee after the first disbursement.

 

Difference Between Prodigy Finance and Indian Banks

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Interest Calculation Differences Between Prodigy Finance & Indian Banks

Aspect Prodigy Finance Indian Banks

Interest Benchmark

Linked to international benchmarks (e.g., SOFR)

Linked to Marginal Cost of Funds Based Lending Rate (MCLR)

Transparency

Transparent and competitive with clear fee disclosure.

It may include processing fees and prepayment penalties.

Accrual & Repayment Start

Interest accrues during study; repayment begins 6 months after graduation

Interest may compound during study; repayment may start immediately

Early Repayment

Flexible, no penalties

May incur prepayment penalties

The interest rate provided by the Indian lenders can be fixed and floating; however, Prodigy Finance has a floating interest rate, which changes with the economy and market. 

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Conclusion

Prodigy Finance offers a more student-centric, global, and modern approach to financing overseas education. With no collateral requirements, faster and simpler digital processes, international credit-building benefits, and transparent terms. But, as an education loan is a long-term plan, taking the help of experts is a better plan. GyanDhan is helping thousands of students with financing options. Just check your eligibility and get personalized help to pursue your higher education abroad. 

 

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Prodigy Finance RBI-approved?
 

No, Prodigy Finance is not approved by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). They are a UK-based financial institution operating under the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK. However, they do provide education loans to Indian students for studies abroad. 

What are the interest rates on the Prodigy Finance?
 

The Prodigy Finance education loans start at 8.35% for the new co-signer education loan, and for a no co-signer education loan, the interest starts at 9.37%. 

Is Prodigy Finance a safe option?
 

Yes, Prodigy Finance is a reputable international lender providing education loans to Indian students. You can get easy approvals on the visa if you get an education loan from Prodigy Finance. 

Can we delete our information from the Prodigy database?
 

Prodigy Finance will keep your data until you have a relationship with Prodigy; however, during inactivity, they will delete your details from their database.

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