To get all the important details you need on What Makes You Eligible for an Educational Loan, How to Apply for a Student Loan, Documents required for an Educational Loan, Who Qualifies for a Student Loan? and lots more All you have to do is to please keep on reading this post from college learners. Always ensure you come back for all the latest information that you need with zero stress. Does everyone qualify for student loans?
The short answer is no. It’s true that most people will qualify for some sort of student loan, but there are a few things you need to know before applying.
First, your income level is a big factor in whether or not you’ll be approved for a loan. The U.S. Department of Education has set limits on how much money you can make each year and still get financial aid, so that’s definitely something to keep in mind when filling out your application. They also consider things like family size and how much money they’re saving for retirement when determining eligibility.
Second, there are two types of loans: subsidized and unsubsidized. Subsidized loans are awarded based on need, while unsubsidized loans are not necessarily awarded based on need (but rather on creditworthiness). If your loan is subsidized, then the government will pay off part of your interest while you’re in school; if it’s unsubsidized, then they won’t pay anything toward your interest while in school—they’ll only pay off part after graduation (when you start paying back the loan).
How to Apply for a Student Loan
Who Qualifies for a Student Loan?
Almost everyone qualifies for student loans, though students with the greatest financial need can generally borrow under the best terms. The first step in applying for a student loan is figuring out whether you will be considered an independent student or one who is dependent on your parents. There is some gray area when it comes to dependency status, but generally speaking, you’re an independent student if:
- You are over the age of 24.
- You are married at the time of applying.
- You are on active duty or are a veteran of the armed forces.
- You have children who receive at least half of their support from you.
[source: U.S. Department of Education]
Under certain circumstances, independent status may be granted to students who do not meet the requirements listed above. If you have questions about this, talk to the financial aid administrator at your school. He or she can make the final determination about your status.
Once you’ve figured out your dependency status, it’s time start gathering financial information for yourself (independent students) and your parents (dependent students). This includes tax returns, bank statements and information about other financial assets [source: U.S. Department of Education]. You’ll also need social security/immigration cards for everyone on the application.
To qualify for financial aid, you also need to be working toward a degree in an eligible program. In other words, you may be applying to an accredited school, but the underwater basket weaving classes you plan to take could disqualify you for the loan if they do not count toward a certificate or degree. Be sure to talk to a counselor about whether your courses are acceptable under your loan program.
Once you’ve answered some questions about your dependency status and eligibility, it’s time to start comparing student loan programs. There are several different types of student loans, each with its own terms and conditions. You may qualify for more than one type, so it’s important to understand how each works in order to make the best decision about financing your education. In the next section, we compare different types of student loans as well as the qualifications for each.
What Makes You Eligible for an Educational Loan?
Educational loans are provided by banks to qualifying students who require financial support to continue their higher education. People’s careers have benefited from these loans, and they’ve been able to seek higher education that they otherwise would not have been able to afford. Not everyone, however, is eligible for a student loan. Banks set various standards for applicants to complete before lending money for any reason.
Factors taken into account:
When banks receive an educational loan application, the main factors they would consider are:
- Academic background of the student: The bank study through the track record of marks, credits, and achievements of the applicant.
- Course: Banks also research about the course that the applicant wants to pursue. They check whether the course applied by the applicant is credited or not.
- Institution: The banks also take into consideration the institution the applicant has applied to. The accreditation and reputation of the institution plays a crucial role.
- Collateral: The applicant’s ability to provide collateral for the loan. The bank will consider the type of collateral provided as well as its value.
- Co-borrowers: Whether or not the loan’s co-borrowers or guarantors are parents, guardians, or another acceptable third party. They’ll also look at the co-borrower’s job histories and credibility.
Courses eligible for Educational Loans:
Banks offer loans for students to study almost anything provided that the course and the institution are accredited by the concerned authorities or are of good repute. Students can avail loans for the following courses.
- Undergraduate degrees/diplomas and special courses.
- Postgraduate degrees/diplomas and special courses.
- PhDs and Doctoral Programmes.
- Certificate courses
Banks also offer loans for specialised courses, training and diplomas. Not all banks will extend finance for these courses, but an applicant can do research and find a bank that will offer them a loan especially if there is a prospect of a job, or an enhancement in current employment. Some of the courses include:
- Computer certificate course
- Engineering diploma
- Certificate courses from Industria Training Institute (ITI)
- Data entry operator course
- Nursing/Teacher Training certificate courses and B.Ed
- Agri diploma
- Veterinary diploma
- Any job-oriented diploma or certificate course
- Degree or diplomas for aeronautics, pilot training, shipping held by recognized regulatory bodies for the purpose of employment in India or abroad
- Vocational courses run by a government organization or department
- Courses run by State Skill Missions, State Skill Corporations, or National Skill Development Corporation
Eligible Institutions:
Banks will also take into account the institution you have chosen to further your education. They will not lend money to just any university or program. When a bank gives you a loan, they want to know that you will be able to finish your degree and find a good career. A list of renowned and pre-approved universities is available from most banks. They also have a list of blacklisted universities for which they will reject your application.
In India:
Some of the universities that are preferred for studies in India are listed below.
- Universities or colleges recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC), Govt., All Indian Council for Technical Education (AICTE), Associate of the Institute of Biomedical Science (AIBMS), Indian Council of Medical Research (IMCR), etc.
- Approved polytechnic institutions
- Reputed foreign schools/universities in India
Abroad:
- Universities of good repute and standing.
- CPA in USA, CIMA-London, etc.
Documents required for an Educational Loan:
For students seeking a loan for studies within the country, they can provide the following documents.
- Duly-filled application form.
- Two passport size photographs.
- Graduation, Secondary School Certificate, or High School Certificate or mark sheets
- Know Your Customer (KYC) documents which include ID, address, and age proof.
- Signature Proof
- Income Proof of parents or guardian
- If collateral is required, documentation for Immovable property, Fixed Deposits (FDs), etc.
For students interested in a loan to study abroad, they will need to provide the documents below.
- Duly-filled application form.
- Two passport size photographs.
- KYC Documents that include ID, residence and age proof.
- A copy of statement of marks or certificates of last examination passed.
- Proof of admission to the university and the course
- Schedule of course expenses
- If you have received a scholarship, a copy of the scholarship letter is needed.
- Copy of Foreign Exchange permit if you have it.
- Bank account statement for last six months of the borrower, parents or guardian.
- Last two years’ Income Tax assessment of the borrower, parents or guardian.
- For loans with collateral, the details of security offered must be furnished. You might also be required to provide an advocate’s search and report about its marketability, mortgage ability, etc.
- Proof of the source of margin is required.
Educational loans are a sector that is supported since they allow students to continue their education. It contributes to the citizens’ and country’s growth and development. Because educational loans are a long-term investment, it’s critical to do your homework and take your time. Subsidies and lower lending rates are also available from the government and banks to support universal education.
The short answer is: no, not everyone qualifies for student loans. But the long answer is much more complicated than that.
First of all, if you’re in college, you should definitely go for it! Student loans are a great way to help pay for school and get the education that will set you up for success in whatever career path you choose. But some people have trouble getting approved for a student loan because they don’t have enough income or assets in their name. This can be because they’re still living at home with their parents or because they don’t have any assets of their own (like a car or savings account).
If this sounds like you, don’t worry—there are other options out there! Your school might offer scholarships and grants that don’t require repayment after graduation. You could also try to get an internship or take on an extra job on campus during breaks between semesters (and even while classes are going on) in order to build up your savings account so that you’ll be able to afford rent once classes start again in the fall semester.
FAQ
- What are the different factors that are considered when lenders provide an educational loan?
- Details of the borrower and co-borrower.
- The collateral and the type of collateral that is being offered.
- The university and the course.
- The student’s academic background.