SBI Education Loan — Study in India & Abroad (Complete Guide)

Eligibility, documents, moratorium, interest, repayment & top tools students use.

Top 10 apps & tools students use (info only)

SBI YONO / YONO Student

Apply, check pre-approved offers, submit documents; central for SBI applicants.

Eduvanz / CredRight

Education loan marketplaces — compare lenders and get offers.

Leverage Scholarships Portals

Scholarship sites (informational) to reduce loan quantum.

University Portals

Most universities provide loan sanction letters & fee invoices used in applications.

Wise (for remittance)

Students abroad use Wise to remit funds with lower FX cost.

Remitly / Xoom

Alternative remittance channels for fee payment and EMI servicing.

CredAble / MPower

Specialist international student loan facilitators for some countries.

Scholarship & Loan Comparison Tools

Use to evaluate total cost vs scholarship cover.

Document Scanning Apps

Use secure scanning apps to upload clear documents to lender portals.

Expense Trackers

Monthly budgeting apps help plan repayments and living costs while studying.

Who can apply — eligibility

SBI education loans are available to Indian nationals pursuing higher education in India or abroad. For loans abroad, SBI requires admission to a recognized foreign university, co-applicant (usually parent/guardian), proof of cost and living estimates, and security documents for higher loan amounts. Typical eligibility includes: admission proof, age criteria (usually upto 35 for students in professional courses), co-applicant with stable income, and submission of required KYC.

Documents required

Common documentation for SBI study loan:

Loan coverage & quantum

SBI typically covers tuition, living expenses, travel, laptop, and other course-related costs. For top countries/courses the bank offers higher limits subject to underwriting and collateral. India-based courses usually have faster processing and may not require collateral for moderate amounts; abroad-study loans often need more documentation and sometimes collateral for large amounts.

Interest rates & moratorium

Interest rates vary by product and reset periodically. SBI education loans often come with a moratorium: interest accrues during study period and the bank may offer repayment commencement after course completion plus a grace period (commonly 6–12 months). Understand whether interest capitalization occurs during moratorium and if conversion to EMI post-moratorium includes accumulated interest.

How to apply & speed up sanction

  1. Collect acceptance letter and fee schedule from university.
  2. Prepare co-applicant paperwork and clear bank statements/ITR.
  3. Use SBI YONO or SBI student loan portal to apply online and upload docs.
  4. Follow up with the branch Nodal Officer for education loans — they often have separate teams for student loans.
  5. Consider partial security (FD or property) to get lower spreads if needed.

Tips for international students (cost & FX planning)

Calculate total cost including tuition, living, insurance, visa and travel. Model regular remittances for EMI: pick low-fee FX providers for monthly EMIs, maintain a buffer for exchange rate shifts, and consider holding some funds in the loan currency if possible to avoid sudden FX spikes.

Common FAQs

Will SBI pay university abroad directly?

Yes — SBI disburses to the institute’s account based on fee schedule. For phased disbursements, bank may release amounts per semester on receiving fee invoices.

Can I get part scholarship & part loan?

Yes — disclose scholarship amounts during application; bank adjusts loan quantum accordingly.

Conclusion

Plan early, compare offers, keep co-applicant ready, and pick the most cost-effective remittance options to service EMIs while abroad. SBI remains a strong option given its branch network and NRI product experience.

Related Internal Pages

Disclaimer: This content is informational only. Verify terms & rates with SBI and consult academic/financial advisors before taking a loan.