Vidya Lakshmi Portal Education Loan in 2024: [Proven Tips]

The Vidya Lakshmi portal is the brainchild of the Department of Financial Services, (Ministry of Finance), the Department of Higher Education (Ministry of Education) and the Indian Banks Association (IBA). Vidya Lakshmi is an online portal in India that facilitates the process of education loan applications. The portal was developed to streamline and simplify the process of applying for education loans, making it more accessible for students pursuing higher education. 

Key Takeaways-

• Vidya Lakshmi Portal is a centralised online platform developed under the guidance of the Department of Financial Services, the Department of Higher Education, and the Indian Banks Association.   

• Eligibility criteria for Vidyalakshmi education loans include Indian citizenship, completion of 10+2 education, admission to a reputable institution, and the option for both domestic and international students to apply for loans.

• The application process requires essential documents such as passport-size photographs, photo IDs, birth certificate, educational qualification certificates, admission letter, and information about the fee structure

• The portal collaborates with around 40 banks, including State Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, and others. This extensive network provides students with various options for education loans, each with competitive interest rates ranging from 8.40% to 18%

Vidya Lakshmi Portal is a unique portal for students seeking education loans and scholarships. This portal was developed under the guidance of the Department of Financial Services, the Department of Higher Education, and the Indian Banks Association. At the Vidya Lakshmi portal for education loan; students can browse through 38 registered banks and 127 educational loan schemes available on the portal.

Vidya Lakshmi Portal – Overview 

Vidya Lakshmi Portal is a centralised online platform for Indian students seeking education loans. It simplifies the process by allowing students to apply for multiple bank loans through a single application form. This eliminates the need to visit banks in person. The portal also enables students to manage and check the status of their education loan applications. 

Vidya Lakshmi ensures data security and compliance with the Central Loan Interest Subsidy Scheme. Students can compare loan services, apply for interest subsidies, and even refinance existing loans. It’s a one-stop solution for education loan information, offering a common application form, data security, and remote services. Students can browse through 38 registered banks and 127 educational loan schemes available on the portal. With Vidya Lakshmi, students can secure maximum loan amounts at competitive interest rates.

Vidya Lakshmi Education Loan For Abroad Studies

The Vidya Lakshmi Education Loan for Abroad Studies is a scheme launched by the Government of India to help Indian students pursue higher education overseas. It is a one-stop portal where students can access information about various education loan schemes offered by different banks, compare interest rates and features, and apply for loans online.

Loan Parameter	Description
Loan amount	Up to Rs. 1.5 crore (approximately $200,000)
Margin	Nil for loans up to Rs. 4 lakh (approximately $5,300) and 10% for loans above Rs. 4 lakh
Interest rates	Competitive interest rates starting from 6.95%
Repayment period	Up to 15 years after the course completion
Moratorium period	Up to 6 months after the course completion

Eligibility Criteria For Loan Application via Vidya Lakshmi Portal 

Education loan criteria varies depending on the bank and the specific scheme you apply for. It is essential to review the requirements set by individual banks to determine your eligibility accurately. Outlined below are some common eligibility criteria:

• Eligibility requires Indian citizenship for Vidya Lakshmi education loan applications.
• A 10+2 completion certificate is a prerequisite for loan eligibility.
• Admission to a reputable educational institution is mandatory, based on merit or entrance examination.
• Domestic and international students can apply for loans to pursue studies in India or abroad. 

Documents Required for Vidya Lakshmi Portal Education Loan

The documents necessary for the loan application process may vary depending on your chosen bank. However, some essential documents that are typically required by all banks include:

• Two passport-size photographs of both the applicant and the co-applicant. 
• Valid photo identification documents such as PAN card, Aadhar Card, Voter ID, etc.
• Proof of the applicant’s date of birth.Certificate indicating the successful completion of 10th-grade education.Documents validating educational qualifications, such as the 12th-grade board examination mark sheet, degree course certificate, graduation certificate, and post-graduation certificate (if applicable).
• A formal letter of admission from the institution the applicant intends to enrol in (on the institute’s letterhead).
• Detailed information about the fee structure of the respective educational institution.
• For applicants pursuing education abroad, VISA approval and relevant travel documents are mandatory.

Additional Documents for Salaried Individuals:

• Document showcasing the applicant’s recent salary details.
• Income tax-related documents, including Form 16 and Income Tax Returns.
• If the applicant has any additional sources of income, relevant proof must be submitted.

Registration Procedure on Vidya Lakshmi Portal

Before applying for any loan or browsing loan options, one should first register themselves at the Vidya Lakshmi portal. To get yourself registered on the Vidya Lakshmi loan Portal, follow these steps – 

Step 1: Create a login ID and password. 

Step 2: Go to your email inbox and click on the verification link. The link is valid only for 24 hours. 

Step 3: Once verified, you will be redirected to the portal. Enter your credentials to log in to your account. 

Step 4: Search for the education loan according to your needs, eligibility, and convenience. 

Step 5: Apply for a suitable education loan by filling up a Common Education Loan Application Form (CELAF).  

Vidya Lakshmi Portal Dashboard

After completing the registration, access your Vidya Lakshmi dashboard by logging in. Upon logging in, you’ll encounter eight orange tabs, each serving a specific purpose:

Loan Application Form: Complete and submit your education loan application through this tab.

Application Status: Track the status and progress of your submitted loan application.

Edit Profile: Make any necessary updates or modifications to your personal information.

Search and Apply For a Loan Scheme: Explore and apply for suitable loan schemes using this feature.

Grievance: Address and resolve any concerns or issues by utilising the grievance tab.

Change Password: Ensure account security by updating or modifying your password as needed.

Vidya Lakshmi Student Loan Search Process 

It’s pretty easy to search for an education loan or a loan scheme through Vidya Lakshmi Portal. You can refer to the steps below- 

Step 1: To search for an education loan, click the orange tab ‘Search and Apply for loan Scheme’.

Step 2: You will be redirected to a page with all the schemes of the registered banks. 

Step 3: You can filter the schemes according to your requirements, such as the location of the study, course, and loan amount required. 

Step 4: You will get a comprehensive list of schemes with an option to apply for it. 

Step 5: On clicking on a particular scheme, you will be redirected to a page with detailed information about it. 

Step 6: Remember, you can only apply for a loan to a maximum of 3 banks and only one scheme of that bank. 

How To Fill The Vidya Lakshmi Portal Loan Application Form?

1. Once you have selected the loan scheme you want to apply for, click on the ‘Loan Application Form’ button. The form has seven sections that are mandatory to fill – 

• Personal Information.
• Details of relationship with the bank.
• Course details.
• Cost of course/source of finance.
• Details of securities offered – mandatory for a loan above INR 4 lakhs.
• Prospects of earning after completion of the course.
• Supporting documents.

2. Keep the scanned copies of your documents handy as the session will timeout after 15 minutes. 

3. Remember to ‘save’ or ‘submit’ on every tab to save the information. 

4. Once the form is filled, you can select the schemes you want to apply for. 

5. On a successful loan application, you can check the status of your loan under the tab ‘Application Status’. You can track whether your application has been accepted or rejected by the bank the bank have accepted or rejected your application/s. 

6. The bank might also put your application on hold if it requires some more information or documents. This will be indicated in the remarks section on the ‘Application Status’ page and can be checked on the dashboard. 

Additional Documents for Self-Employed Individuals:

1. Bank Statements: Bank statements for the last six months.
2. IT Returns: Income tax returns for the past two years.
3. Office Proof: Valid proof of the applicant’s office or place of business.
4. Side Income Proof: Any supplementary income sources should be supported by relevant documentation.

Banks Registered With Vidya Lakshmi Loan Portal

The Vidya Lakshmi education loan portal collaborates with an extensive network of approximately 40 banks, providing students with a wide range of options for obtaining education loans. Some of the top education loan providers in India for abroad studies registered on the portal include:

1. Bank of Baroda
2. Bank of India
3. Bank of Maharashtra
4. Axis Bank
5. Central Bank of India
6. Canara Bank
7. HDFC Bank
8. ICICI Bank
9. IDBI Bank
10. Indian Overseas Bank
11. Kotak Bank
12. Abhyudaya Cooperative Bank Limited
13. Punjab National Bank
14. Dena Bank
15. Dombivli Nagri Sahakari Bank Ltd
16. Federal Bank
17. GP Parsik Bank Ltd
18. Indian Bank
19. Karnataka Bank Ltd
20. Karur Vysya Bank Ltd
21. Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd
22. New India Cooperative Bank Ltd
23. Oriental Bank of Commerce
24. Pragathi Krishna Gramin Bank
25. Punjab and Sind Bank
26. RBL Bank Ltd
27. State Bank of India
28. Syndicate Bank
29. Tamilnad Mercantile Bank Ltd
30. UCO Bank
31. Union Bank of India
32. United Bank of India
33. Vijaya Bank
34. Yes Bank
35. Allahabad Bank
36. Dhanlaxmi Bank
37. Development Credit Bank Ltd.
38. Nainital Bank

The inclusion of such a diverse group of banks empowers students to explore multiple financing options and choose the most suitable one for their educational aspirations.

Interest Rates: Vidya Lakshmi Portal

The Vidya Lakshmi portal offers competitive interest rates on education loans, ranging from as low as 8.40% to a maximum of 18%, depending on the specific needs and circumstances of the students applying for the loans.

Repayment Process On Vidya Lakshmi Portal 

While the Vidya Lakshmi portal itself doesn’t handle the education loan repayment process of educational loans, it provides helpful resources and information to guide you through it. The bank you borrowed the loan from will handle the actual repayment process. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect:

Repayment commencement:

Your EMI (Equated Monthly Installment) payments typically begin one year after completing your course or six months after securing a job, whichever comes earlier. This grace period allows you to establish yourself financially before beginning repayments.

Making repayments:

You will have different options for making repayments depending on your bank, such as online banking, direct debit, or standing order. The specific instructions and details will be provided by your bank.

It’s important to ensure timely payments to avoid late payment charges and potential damage to your credit score.

Vidya Lakshmi resources:

While the portal doesn’t handle repayments directly, it offers helpful resources like loan repayment calculators or education loan EMI Calculators  to estimate your EMIs and plan your finances. Using these tools can help you pay off your loans earlier.

You can also access your loan details and statements through the portal once your application is processed and disbursed by the bank.

Additional points to remember:

• Keep track of your loan agreement and repayment schedule provided by your bank.
• If you encounter any difficulties or have questions about your repayments, contact your bank directly for assistance.
• Consider exploring refinancing options if you find a better interest rate or repayment terms with another lender.

Eligibility Criteria For Loan Application

Loan eligibility varies depending on the bank and the specific scheme you apply for. It is essential to review the requirements set by individual banks to determine your eligibility accurately.

Outlined below are some common eligibility criteria:

1. Indian Citizenship: The applicant seeking an education loan through the Vidya Lakshmi portal must be an Indian citizen.
2. Admission Qualification: The student should have secured admission to an educational institution either based on merit or by qualifying in an entrance examination.
3. Education Level: The applicant must have completed their 10+2 education or hold an equivalent qualification.
4. Study Options: Both domestic and international students are eligible to apply for loans to pursue their studies, either in India or abroad.

Why Choose UniCreds? 

Many banks and lenders now offer loans for overseas education nowadays. There are various student loan programs, making it a bit tricky to choose the right one. At UniCreds, we bridge the gap and assist you in navigating this challenge of selecting the best education loan. UniCreds helps you with- 

• Faster loan approvals 
• Non Collateral Loans
• Checking loan eligibility
• Lower interest rates
• Low processing fees and much more. 

If you are looking for education loans tailored to your requirements at the comfort of your home, then you should clearly check out our website now! 

FAQs

Q1. How to get an education loan through Vidya Lakshmi Portal?

Ans: You have to register to the Vidyalakshmi portal first, and then apply from the education loan options available on the portal by filling up the application form of the selected bank. The portal will notify you about the loan status once you apply and submit the application.

Q2. Is the Vidya Lakshmi portal mandatory for education loans?

Ans: The Vidyalakshmi portal is compulsory when applying for a loan in specific public sector banks. It is essential to fill out an application on the Vidya Lakshmi portal only after ensuring that all other required documents are prepared. 

Q3. What is the interest rate of the Vidya Lakshmi portal for education loans?

Ans: The interest rates of the Vidya Lakshmi portal education loans range between 8-18%

Q4. What is the maximum loan amount in the Vidya Lakshmi portal?

Ans: Loans amounts in the Vidya Lakshmi portal can vary depending upon the bank you are opting to borrow an education loan from.

Q5. Who is eligible for the Vidya Lakshmi portal?

Ans: Certain standard eligibility requirements specified on the Vidya Lakshmi portal include: The individual applying must hold Indian citizenship to be eligible for an education loan. Additionally, possessing a 10+2 completion certificate is a prerequisite for loan application eligibility.