Education loans have become a trusted avenue for students and parents to finance higher education. However, different financial institutions have different loan features to offer which can make it challenging to shortlist the one tailored to your financial needs.
To solve this problem, the Government of India established the Vidya Lakshmi Portal to democratise access to education loans. This national portal has brought all major education loan schemes offered by different financial institutions under a unified platform. Students now have easy access to multiple financing options on customised terms through a simplified online process.
This article will explain the features and the process of availing of an education loan through the Vidyalakshmi portal.
What is the Vidya Lakshmi education loan portal?
The Vidya Lakshmi education loan portal is a government initiative to provide a single-window electronic platform for students to access education loans and scholarships provided by financial institutions. The portal allows students to explore tailored education financing products from various financial institutions based on parameters such as loan amount, interest rates, moratorium period and repayment schedules.
Features of the Vidyalakshmi education loan
Below are the main features of the Vidyalakshmi education loan portal:
1. Unified education loan platform: The Vidya Lakshmi portal brings over 100 education loan schemes offered by 38 leading financial institutions under one unified platform. This provides students with a single window to compare customised financing options from different institutions as per their specific needs. Applicants can access tailored loan products for various academic disciplines and apply through a common national education loan application form accessible online. This eliminates the need to approach financial institutions individually, saving time.
2. Loan amount flexibility: Students can identify and apply for education loans as per their requirements under the Vidya Lakshmi scheme. This flexibility in financing can help students pursue any academic programme from short-term diplomas to doctorate degrees from reputed national or overseas universities. The portal allows scheme-wise comparison from various lenders. Students can analyse the varied education loans to choose their ideal financing solution.
3. Streamlined application: Vidya Lakshmi portal allows submission of the unified Common Education Loan Application Form (CELAF) online providing speed and convenience. Applicants also need to upload required academic credentials and income proofs in digitised formats for loan application processing. The single form allows students to apply to multiple appropriate loan schemes from different partner financial institutions simultaneously. The Portal further enables tracking application status in real-time.
Benefits of Vidya Lakshmi education portal education loans
The Vidya Lakshmi portal offers numerous benefits to students and parents:
1. Easy loan discovery: The Vidya Lakshmi portal eliminates the need to manually evaluate numerous complex loan schemes by bringing customised education financing from 100+ options offered by 38 financial institutions under one roof. Students can conveniently compare interest rates, fees, repayment schedules and other parameters digitally to determine loans that suit their unique needs. This helps in saving time and also reduces confusion.
2. Simplified documentation: The national Common Education Loan Application for Vidya Lakshmi portal considerably simplifies documentation while raising financing requests. Applicants need to digitally submit it only once for three loan applications. The status tracking feature further enables students to monitor application progress online securely.
3. Multiple scheme applications: The single loan application form at the Vidyalakshmi portal allows students to apply to potentially 3 different education loan schemes from partner institutions simultaneously if eligibility criteria are met. This expands the probability of loan approval within the application processing timeline.
4. Direct grievance assistance: Students facing any application-related queries or complaints can register them directly with the financial institutions on the Vidya Lakshmi portal.
Vidhyalakshmi education loan eligibility
Here is the Vidyalakshmi education loan eligibility:
1. Indian citizenship
2. Completed 10+2 level schooling or equivalent with a minimum 50% aggregate marks
3. Secured admission to the chosen institute via merit or entrance exam
4. Annual family income between INR 4-5 lakhs
In addition to the Vidyalakshmi loan eligibility, specific eligibility norms may vary as per respective partner financial institutions’ policies.
Documents required for Vidya Lakshmi portal education loans
After checking the Vidyalakshmi loan eligibility, students need to have scanned versions of the following key documents handy before initiating an online application for education loans under the Vidya Lakshmi portal:
1. Identity proof like Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, Passport
2. Age proof that includes Birth Certificate, 10th Pass Certificate
3. Academic credentials like marksheets, Admission letters, and fee structure
4. Income proof in the form of IT Returns, Salary Slips, Assets Proof
5. Bank statements
Additional documents may be requested by respective financial institutions during later processing stages as relevant. Keeping the prerequisites ready helps expedite loan approval.
How to apply for a Vidyalakshmi education loan?
Here is how to apply for a Vidyalakshmi education loan:
1. Visit the Vidya Lakshmi Portal and register
2. Log in using your credentials
3. Search for relevant loan schemes based on amount, interest rates etc.
4. Shortlist 2-3 suitable loan products and apply
5. Submit duly filled Common Education Loan Application Form (CELAF)
6. Upload necessary KYC and income documents
7. Share additional documents if requested by the lender
8. Track application status online on a real-time basis
Wrapping up
The Vidya Lakshmi Portal has brought more transparency, efficiency and empowerment in availing education loans through its seamless digital approach focused on benefitting the borrower.
By facilitating centralised access to over 100 education loan schemes from 38 lenders and promoting loan process standardisation. Customised product discovery and application to multiple lenders have helped ease the process of making prudent financial decisions easier for borrowers based on individual priorities.
Vidya Lakshmi Portal has set global benchmarks on the scalable delivery of financial services using technology which is truly driving financial inclusion. By nationalising education loan access, students now have greater means and opportunities to uplift their careers by accessing quality education.
To further explore education loans featuring competitive interest rates and a 100% online application process, consider Tata Capital. We offer collateral-free education loans up to INR 75 lakhs. For more details, visit our website today!
29 February 2024
5 mins read
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