When you plan to study abroad a lot of things come into your bucket and financial management is one of them. Whether you are planning to study in USA, UK or any other country you need to figure out the entire cost of studying abroad. The government of India has launched several schemes to help students get an education loan to study abroad or in India and the Vidya Lakshmi portal is one of them. The portal has a strong network of 44 banks and Punjab National Bank is one of them. Let’s understand how you can easily get an education loan through the Vidya Lakshmi from Punjab National Bank (PNB).
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Vidya Lakshmi Education Loan from Punjab National Bank
Vidya Lakshmi portal is a first-of-its-kind portal which aims to help students get an education loan to study in India and Abroad. The portal has been developed under the guidance of the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Education, and the Indian Banks Association (IBA). The Punjab National Bank offers education loans through the Vidya Lakshmi Portal as per the guidelines set by IBA and the concerned ministry. Check the major highlights of Vidya Lakshmi Portal Punjab National Bank below:
| Categories | Description |
| Mode of Application | Online through Vidya Lakshmi Portal |
| Courses Eligible | Any top-notch job-oriented courses |
| Maximum Amount for Study Abroad | Need-Based Finance |
| Rate of Interest | RLLR + BSP + 2.75% (for loans above 7.5 lakhs)RLLR + BSP + 2.00% (for loans upto 7.5 lakhs) |
| Repayment Period | 180 Months |
| Moratorium Period | Course Period + 1 year |
Note: The interest will be based upon RLLR or Repo Linked Loan Rate
Also Read: Canara Bank Vidya Lakshmi Education Loan
How to Apply for Vidya Lakshmi Education Loan from Punjab National Bank?
The application form for the Vidya Lakshmi Education Loan Punjab National Bank shall be submitted online through the Vidya Lakshmi portal only. The students are required to create a profile on the portal by providing information like Name, date of birth, contact details etc. After successful registration, you need to submit all the supporting documents on the portal. The education loan to study abroad will be provided under the PNB UDAAN scheme. Students are required to select the bank, scheme and the loan amount. Check out the step-by-step process for online application:
- Log in to the Vidya Lakshmi Education Portal
- Register yourself by entering all the details
- Click on ‘Loan Application Form’
- You need to fill in sections like details of your relationship with the bank, course, scheme of loan, securities details, prospects of earning after finishing the course etc.
- Enter the cost of the program and the required amount of loan
- Fill in all these details carefully and submit the required documents
- You will get a callback from the bank and the application will move further.
Vidya Lakshmi Education Loan Punjab National Bank: Eligibility Criteria
In order to get an education loan students need to fulfill some basic eligibility criteria. The bank has stated the minimum eligibility criteria as per the IBA guidelines. It is suggested that eligibility criteria be checked properly before applying for a loan.
- The student must have secured admission to a recognized university abroad through the Entrance Test/ Merit Selection process
- Student must have completed HSC (10 plus 2 or equivalent) with high grades.
- If the admission is done based on marks scored in the last qualifying examinations, a minimum cut-off mark of 50% for SC/ST and 60% for other categories will be considered.
Also Read: Vidya Lakshmi Education Loan SBI
Interest Rate for PNB Vidya Lakshmi Education Loan
The interest rate charged by the Punjab National Bank for education loans through Vidya Lakshmi Portal is as per the guidelines of IBA. Under all categories, the bank provides a rebate of 0.5% in interest rate to the female candidates. The loan amount will differ based on the loan amount and the tenure. Check the interest rate in the table below:
| Categories | Rate of Interest |
| Loan up to Rs.7.50 Lakh (covered under CGFSEL Scheme) | RLLR + BSP + 2.00% |
| Loan above Rs.7.50 Lakh | RLLR + BSP + 2.75% |
| Loans irrespective of amount (where 100% tangible collateral security in the shape of IP, enforceable under SARFAESI Act, and/or liquid security is available) | RLLR + BSP + 2.00% |
PNB Vidya Lakshmi Education Loan Processing Fee
Every bank charges a processing fee while approving a loan. For a study abroad education loan, the processing fee depends upon the loan amount and the type of lender. The Punjab National Bank processing fee for education loans applied through the Vidya Lakshmi portal will be 1% with a minimum of INR 10,000.00. The upfront fee will be charged and kept in the sundry account which shall be refunded after the first disbursement of the loan. This is done to ensure that the student has been admitted to the university and will start studying. If the disbursement is not made in the account within 6 months from the date of loan sanction, the amount kept in sundry will be credited to the respective income head of the bank.
FAQs
Vidya Lakshmi portal has a huge network of as many as 44 banks. Every bank has different terms and conditions regarding the loan. Students are suggested to check the terms and conditions thoroughly before finalizing the lender.
PNB has not specified the maximum loan amount that a student can get through the Vidya Lakshmi Portal. The amount of the loan will be totally based on the requirements of the student.
Once you submit the application the bank will call you for enquiry after 15-20 days. All the further processes will be done by the bank.
While applying for an education loan from PNB Vidya Lakshmi Portal make sure that you have all the supporting documents with you. Any discrepancies may lead to the rejection of your education loan.
To know more about the Vidya Lakshmi Education Loan, the best bank accounts for students, forex and banking experience for global students or international money transfers, reach out to our experts at 1800572126 to help ease your study abroad experience. Follow our social media handles on Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.
