Studying Abroad is once in a lifetime experience that not online opens your door to new opportunities but also allows you to get global recognition and develop practical and impact skills through quality education. One hindrance which aspiring students most commonly face while planning their study abroad journey is managing their finances to support their dream of being an international student, so most students opt for an education loan but the main problem is high-interest rates offered by banks and most importantly different banks have different kinds of interest rates. In today’s blog, we will try to provide a student-centric solution on how to negotiate interest rates with banks on your education loan, so stay tuned and continue reading.
Benefits of Taking an Education Loan
Before we dive into how to negotiate the interest rate with the bank on your education loan, let’s understand the key benefits of taking an Education Loan:
- Opting for an education loan will help you reduce the financial burden on you as most Universities have tuition fees on the higher side
- If you have never taken a loan earlier, an education loan can also help you in building a credit score for you which will also help you in taking future loans
- Education loans also come with tax benefits, which allow you to claim tax reduction on the interest paid towards the loan
- Education loans also do not require collateral for getting the loan sanctioned, which makes more sense for students who usually don’t have high net worth or assets to pledge as a security
Also Read- Education Loan without Collateral
Proper Research Before Negotiating
Negotiating interest rates on your education loans is not as complicated or intimidating as it sounds. All you need to do is build a strong and convincing case for yourself to make your proposal of negotiation to the bank be more impactful. Here are a few things that you need to do:
Finding out the current market interest rates for education loans
The first step in negotiating your education loan’s interest rate is to research the current market interest rates. Interest rates fluctuate depending on various factors, such as the economic climate and competition between banks.
You can start your research by checking online financial websites, and bank websites, or by talking to a financial advisor and find some banks offering low-interest rates
Comparing interest rates and loan terms between different banks
Once you have shortlisted a few banks that offer education loans for studying abroad, it’s time to start comparing their interest rates and loan terms. While lower interest rates may seem like the most attractive option at first glance. Look closely at the loan term (how long you have to repay the loan), any fees associated with taking out the loan like high processing fees can be a red flag, prepayment penalties (if any), and other terms before making a decision.
Also Read- 5 Things to Keep in Mind to Apply for an Education Loan
How to Negotiate Interest Rate with Bank on Your Education Loan?
So here begins the answer to the question, “How to negotiate the interest rate with the bank on your education loan” Look closely at the solutions we have provided below to build a strong case for yourself:
Gather Documentation to Support Your Financial Standing and Creditworthiness
You need to prove that you are financially stable and can repay the loan. This is where gathering documentation comes in handy. Collect all of your financial documents such as bank statements, credit reports, tax returns, and pay stubs. Having these documents readily available will help you make a strong case for yourself
Highlighting Your Academic Achievements and Future Earning Potential
As many banks offer the option for flexible payments on education loans (you can start paying once you complete your education and be employed) so apart from your financial stability you also need to assure the bank of your academic outlook and future earning potential which can bring the interest rate down and you may also be granted for flexible repayments.
Tips While Negotiating with the Bank
Here are some tips which you can follow while negotiating with the bank which may potentially increase your chances of bringing the interest rate lower:
- Approach the bank representatives with confidence and professionalism– When you speak to the bank representative, it’s important to be confident and professional. Dress appropriately, speak clearly, and maintain eye contact.
- Proper Presentation– Prepare a detailed budget of your estimated expenses while studying abroad, including travel costs, living expenses, tuition fees, books, and materials fees, etc. Highlight any academic achievements or awards you’ve received in the past that demonstrate your ability to succeed in school. You should also include documentation showing any income sources (part-time job or scholarship) for repaying the loan after graduation.
- Comparison with other banks– Another way of negotiating interest with a bank effectively is by comparing it with other banks. Once you have proved your creditworthiness you can play a trick on the bank representatives is showing your research about the lowest rate of education in the market or list of banks offering the lowest interest on education which we have already mentioned earlier. By this they may match the current lowest rate or even offer something better than that.
Important Note
Some important things which need to keep in mind while negotiating interest rates with bank:
- Check if there are any hidden charges while processing your loan, usually, there is a one-time processing fee
- Cross-check the estimates that the bank agents are providing you, this will help you to figure out if there are any other charges
- If you have defaulted on any previous loan, you might be eligible or creditworthy for any kind of loans
- Also, be aware of the bounce payment charges if miss any payment or fail to pay an EMI on time. It’s advisable to stay away from banks if they have high bounce charges
- If you have a low credit score then it might not be possible to negotiate interest rate with bank on your education loan
Relevant Read– What is a CIBIL Score?
FAQs
Ans. Education Loan is one the longest term loan with a tenure of 15 years maximum. If you don’t negotiate the interest rates with the bank you can even face a financial calamity in your life, so it’s always advisable to negotiate and opt for the lowest interest rates also without any hidden charges.
Ans. Yes, it’s necessary to provide a guarantor for getting an education loan with some banks, the guarantor can be your guardian, relative, or parents who give the assurance if you can’t pay the loan then the guarantor will take full responsibility.
Ans. No, there is no way to get a 0% interest rate education loan but there are some government-specific loan schemes where the Indian government provides education loans with low-interest rates but not 0% (which is specifically for studying in India). Alternatively, you can look for scholarships.
This was all about How to Negotiate Interest Rate with Bank on Your Education Loan. Reach out to Fly Finance for all finance-related concerns. As we all know how hectic and overwhelming the whole process of studying abroad can be so if you are searching for a top university and planning for studying abroad, you can reach us at 1800 57 2000 and contact our Leverage Edu experts. Additionally, you can also connect with us through our socials like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
