Education loans provide the desired financial assistance to pursue higher education in India and abroad. However, one of the common questions students ask is: How much education loan can I get? Well, you can get need-based financing from many popular Indian banks and NBFCs. However, the exact amount depends on factors like your family income, creditworthiness, and collateral provided. The Reserve Bank of India provides general guidelines for education loans and loan amounts that students can get. Let’s find out all the details in this blog.
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Maximum Loan Amount as per RBI Guidelines
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), being the apex banking institution in India, provides general guidelines for educational loans. These guidelines aim to ensure that students have access to adequate funding for their higher education while maintaining financial discipline in lending.
| For Studies in India | Up to INR 10 lakhs |
| For Studies Abroad | Up to INR 20 lakhs |
| Collateral Requirements | Up to INR 4 lakhs- Not required INR 4 lakhs to 7.5 lakhs- Guarantor required Above INR 7.5 lakhs- Collateral required |
Maximum Loan Limit for Domestic Education
According to the RBI’s guidelines on education loans, banks can offer education loans up to a limit of INR 10 lakhs for studying within India. This amount typically covers tuition fees, exam fees, hostel fees, and other related expenses. Some banks may offer higher amounts based on individual circumstances and the nature of the course.
Maximum Loan Limit for Overseas Education
For studies abroad, the maximum loan amount can go up to INR 20 lakhs. This too depends on the course, the university, and the student’s financial background. This limit is generally sufficient to cover tuition fees, accommodation, travel, and other related expenses, though students may need to provide collateral for loans above a certain limit. Following the steps and process of getting an education loan to study abroad is important for a successful and hassle-free application.
Collateral Requirements
- Up to INR 4 lakhs: No collateral is required.
- Above INR 4 lakhs: Collateral is typically required, such as property, fixed deposits, or third-party guarantees. Some banks, however, may offer unsecured loans (without collateral) up to INR 7.5 lakhs for certain courses or reputed institutions.
Also Read: Check out this blog on how to write a letter to a bank requesting for education loan extension. Know what details to include and the supporting documents to attach.
How Much Education Loan Can I Get from Popular Banks?
While the RBI sets the upper limits, individual banks may have internal policies that allow them to go beyond the prescribed limits in certain situations, especially for courses or institutions with high employability potential.
Banks can assess the risk of lending beyond the prescribed limits. If the student is attending a high-demand course at a prestigious institution (e.g., a top medical or management college in India, or a well-known university abroad), the bank might approve a higher loan amount based on the anticipated future earnings of the student.
Here’s the list of the top 10 Indian banks offering higher loan amounts for studies in India and abroad. Check out how much education you can get from them-
| Banks | Maximum Loan Amount for Studies in India | Maximum Loan Amount for Studies Abroad |
| State Bank of India | INR 10 lakhs and INR 30 lakhs for medical courses | INR 1.5 crores |
| Bank of Baroda | INR 1.25 crores | INR 1.5 crores |
| ICICI Bank | INR 1 crore | INR 3 crores |
| HDFC Bank | INR 10 lakhs | No upper limit for secured loans |
| Axis Bank | No upper limit for secured loans Unsecured- Up to INR 75 lakhs | No upper limit for secured Unsecured- Up to 1 crores |
| Bank of India | Up to INR 1.5 crores | Up to INR 1.5 crores |
| IDFC First Bank | No upper limit for secured loans Unsecured- Up to INR 75 lakhs | No upper limit for secured loans Unsecured- Up to INR 75 lakhs |
| Indian Overseas Bank | INR 75 lakhs to INR 1.5 crores based on the institution | INR 1 crore to INR 3 crore based on the institution |
| Punjab National Bank | Need-based finance | Need-based finance |
| Canara Bank | Need-based finance | Need-based finance |
How Much Education Loan Can I Get from NBFCs?
NBFCs are Non-Banking Financial Companies. You can also get a higher loan amount from them at flexible terms and conditions. They are known for their fast loan processing and quick disbursement of funds. If you need an education loan urgently, NBFCs can process your application and release the funds much faster than traditional banks.
Many NBFCs also provide top-up loans or the option to increase the loan amount after the first disbursement if the total cost of education exceeds initial estimates. Here’s how much education loan you can get from NBFCs-
| NBFCs | Maximum Loan Amount |
| Avanse | Covers 100% cost of studies abroad |
| Prodigy Finance | Secured- No maximum limit Unsecured- Up to INR 75 lakhs |
| InCred | Secured- Need-based Unsecured- Up to INR 60 lakhs |
| Auxilo | Secured- 100% financing Unsecured- Up to INR 40 lakhs |
| HDFC Credila | Secured- 100% financing Unsecured- Up to INR 7.5 lakhs |
Also Read: Know how exchange rate volatility affects student loans for international students. Check out the ways to deal with and manage finances wisely.
How to Calculate the Loan Amount You Can Get?
Many banks like Axis Bank, Canara Bank, Punjab National Bank, and NBFCs like Avanse and Prodigy Finance offer need-based financing. So, you can avail of as much amount you wish to avail based on your study and living expenses.
Banks typically require you to contribute a certain percentage of the total loan amount from your savings or resources. This is known as margin money in education loans. The margin money requirement depends on the loan amount and whether your studies are in India or abroad.
- Usually, no margin money is required for loans up to INR 4 lakhs. For loans above INR 4 lakhs, banks typically ask for a 5% margin for studies in India.
- For education abroad, banks generally require a 15% margin for loans above INR 4 lakhs.
For example, if you are taking an education loan for INR 8 lakhs for higher studies in India, you would be required to contribute 5% of 8 lakhs, which equals INR 40,000. The bank will fund the remaining INR 7.6 lakhs. Likewise, for an overseas education loan of INR 13 lakhs, you would be required to contribute INR 1.95 lakhs as margin money (15% of 13 lakhs), and the bank will fund the remaining INR 11.05 lakhs.
This is how you can calculate the amount of education loan you can get from the bank.
Factors Affecting the Amount of Loan You Can Get
The loan amount you can secure is largely determined by the following factors. One of the major factors is the course and institution. Students accepted into top-tier institutions (like IITs, IIMs, and foreign Ivy League universities) may be eligible for higher loans, even exceeding the usual limits, given the good earning potential post-graduation.
- The nature and duration of the course (engineering, medical, management, etc.) can affect the loan limit, as high-demand courses may justify higher loans.
- Besides, banks evaluate the applicant’s ability to repay the loan, which is generally assessed based on the co-applicant’s (usually a parent or guardian) income. The higher the income, the larger the loan you can get.
This was all about how much education loan you can get. It’s essential to compare education loan schemes from various banks to find the one that best fits your needs. Keep in mind that your repayment capacity, the margin money, and the collateral (if applicable) will all be taken into account by the bank when determining the loan amount.
By understanding these factors, you can ensure that you secure a loan large enough to cover your educational expenses and start your journey toward higher education with confidence.
To learn more about education loans, the best bank accounts for students, forex, banking experience for global students, or international money transfers, reach out to our experts at 1800572126 to help ease your experience with studying abroad.
FAQs
You can get up to INR 10 lakhs for studies in India from public banks, with higher amounts available from private banks and NBFCs. Collateral may be required for loans exceeding INR 4 lakhs.
You can get up to INR 20 lakhs for studying abroad from public sector banks, and up to INR 3 crores from private banks and NBFCs. Collateral is often required for higher amounts.
A low CIBIL score can limit your loan eligibility, especially for unsecured loans. Banks may require a co-applicant with a better credit score or collateral.
With a family income of INR 5 lakhs per year, you can get an education loan ranging between INR 7.5 to 10 lakhs, depending on the course and institution. A co-applicant’s income can boost eligibility.
Banks typically offer education loans of up to ₹10 lakhs for domestic courses and ₹20 lakhs for studying abroad. Higher loans may require collateral or a strong co-applicant.
NBFCs offer loans similar to banks but may have more flexible terms. You can secure loans with no upper limit and cover 100% costs of higher studies in India and abroad.
Unsecured loans are typically available up to INR 4 lakhs. You are required to apply with a co-applicant for education loans between INR 4 to 7.5 lakhs. Loans above this amount require collateral. However, most banks like Axis Bank and IDFC First Bank offer unsecured loans up to INR 75 lakhs for domestic studies and up to INR 1 crore for studies abroad.
For high-cost courses abroad, you can get loans up to INR 3 crores from private banks like ICICI Bank and NBFCs, depending on the course and institution. Collateral and a strong financial profile may be required.
You can get an unsecured loan of up to INR 7.5 for studies abroad from some banks. For amounts above this, banks typically require collateral or a strong co-applicant.
Top-tier institutions often increase your eligibility for a higher loan amount. You may be eligible for loans up to INR 3 crores for courses at reputed universities, with or without collateral.
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This blog effectively explains the factors determining education loan amounts, including academic profile, course type, and lender policies, offering clarity to students planning their higher education financing.