Tag Archives: loans

Post-pandemic online master’s degrees have become extremely popular. If you have applied for an online degree and are finding it hard to pay the fees, then here are some merits and demerits of opting for a personal loan for an online master’s degree!  From top universities like Harvard University, Oxford University, the University of Edinburgh, and Johns Hopkins University to online platforms like Coursera and SkillShare made accessibility to quality education easier and a great way to upskill. While some are free, there are some that charge a heavy fee. Depending upon the course, the average cost of an online master’s degree can go up to $29,000 (Rs. 23-24 lakhs).   This can be tough to finance independently as most banks do not offer education loans are not offered for online degrees. Some banks like Axis Bank do offer education loans for an online master’s degree. But space is still limited. Maximum banks and financial institutions only sanction education loans that require students to study on campus, and online degrees are not covered by them. Thus, if you are short on expenses, then you can opt for a personal loan for your online master's degree.   What are the merits of opting for a personal loan for online master’s degrees?  1. Zero Collateral   Personal loans are called unsecured loans and they do not require collateral from the borrower to sanction their claims. It is easier to get a personal loan as banks do not need you to give land, shares, or other bonds as collateral to claim. The approval largely depends on your credit scores, income history, and general eligibility or worthiness in terms of repayment. If the bank feels that you are not capable of repaying the loan, they are likely to reject the application.   2. Easy Sanctions  Personal loans verify the candidate’s worthiness, credit history, and financial stability. If you can provide an assurance to the bank that you are able and willing to repay then the banks are likely to sanction your loan faster. In terms of personal loans without collateral, your relationship with the bank, income stability, and financial background comes in handy for easy sanctions.   3. Easy Disbursals  Some banks disburse funds within seconds! Once your loan is approved and accepted, the banks can wire the money to your account immediately. Most personal loans and their lenders pride themselves on immediate and easy disbursements so that the borrower can finance their immediate needs faster. It may not be the case for all types of loans as each has its own processing period.   What are the demerits of opting for a personal loan for online master’s degrees?  4. High-Interest Rates  Interest rates vary from bank to bank and to lender. Personal loans are by nature unsecured which means the chances of getting a high interest rate may be higher. Beware of the interest rates, try to consult multiple banks before starting the application process. Having a good relationship with a bank and a financial history can help you.  5. Stress of Repayment   The stress of repayment is associated with every loan and is not exclusive to personal loans. Most borrowers struggle with repayment and may find it overwhelming at times. Having a stable income or savings can help you with the process of repayment. The cumulative interest rates and rising prices can make the job tougher but not impossible.  6. Eligibility Rigidity  Since most personal loans are unsecured, they focus largely on your credit score and financial history to sanction it. This can be a merit and demerit because a low credit score could jeopardize your application approval and make it tougher for you to gain the amount you want. Applicants are scrutinized more closely and any flaw could delay the process.    These are some merits and demerits of opting for a personal loan for an online master’s degree! An informed and well-rounded decision can help you pick the right path and help you secure a brighter future. FAQs Can you take an education loan for online degrees? Axis Bank offers education loans for online courses and executive courses that further your career. However, most banks do not offer education loans for online programs. Is it wise to take a personal loan for higher education? If you have the capacity to repay your loan on time then you can consider but it's wise to opt for an education loan for education purposes because it is made for meeting your education requirements. Should you opt for a personal loan in lieu of an education loan? No, education loans and personal loans are not the same. They can not be interchanged. Personal loans have a shorter repayment tenure, higher interests, and no moratorium period, and the loan amount offered may not be efficient enough to cover all your education expenses.

Are you planning to co-signee on your child's education loan? Then here are some questions cosigners should ask before taking an education loan! Education loans are important and useful. Especially when the inability to meet the demand for a higher fee structure is quite common. In India, the RBI has reported a spurt in the demand for big-ticket education loans. The role of a cosigner at such times is very important as they automatically become equally liable for the loan repayment as the borrower if things do not go as planned. Generally, organizations do not sanction an education loan without a creditworthy cosigner. He/ she can be a family friend, relative, spouse, guardian or parent, etc. and his/ her responsibility is immense. Thus, it is important to know about the different questions cosigners should ask before taking an education loan. 7 questions cosigners should ask before taking an education loan 1. Why does the loan applicant need a cosigner? Generally, young adults who apply for education loans have just started and have no earnings. Other times, they might have bad credit reports because of missed or late payments. Lenders need assurance from a reputed cosigner before sanctioning an education loan to such people.  One of the questions cosigners should ask before taking an education loan is about the credit history of the borrower. In case his/ her credit report is good but/ he is being asked for a cosigner just because of underage then it is okay to sign alongside. But, a bad credit history should make the cosigner beware of the pitfalls of cosigning. This also helps the cosigners find out whether the loan applicant is trustworthy, as well as, responsible by nature.  2. What is the loan amount? The co-signer must be fully aware of the total amount of the education loan. The co-signer, in no doubt, is signing alongside the borrower in good faith. However, down the line, should anything untoward happen, the co-signer may have to be responsible for the loan repayment. 3. What are the terms of the loan? One of the relevant questions cosigners should ask before taking an education loan is about the terms of the loan. It includes payment term length, repayment options, when is the loan repayment going to start and what happens if the repayment premium is not on time. The standard education loan is for ten years with a fixed monthly premium. The cosigner must remember that the loan terms, extended repayment options, and interest rates are different for private and federal students. Cosigners must ask questions as if they are borrowing money for themselves because only then they can know about the exact loan terms. Additional read: What is the cost of school education in India? 4. Will the loan applicant be able to meet the terms of loan repayment? The cosigner should be fully aware of the loan applicant’s financial position and the loan amount. He/ she should ask him/herself whether the borrower has the necessary assets or financial means to fulfill the loan terms. The cosigner should also know whether the loan applicant has any other loan in his/her name and whether he/she can continue to make payments for all of them.  5. In case of default, will the cosigner be able to pay the loan amount? According to statistics, at least 38% of cosigners are called upon to pay up the loan amount because the loan applicant is unable to do so. The co-signer must be prepared for any eventuality and ask him/herself whether he/she is ready to do so under unforeseen conditions. 6. What are the risks involved for the co-signer? The cosigner should know about all the risks involved if he/she signs the education loan. If the borrower is late then the credit score of the cosigner also drops alongside him/her. If the cosigner wants to get a loan or a mortgage then the cosigned loan will have an impact on his/her credit history. 7. Is there an option where the cosigner can be released from the responsibility? Sometimes, lenders offer release terms to the borrower under specific terms. The co-signer must be fully aware of them to minimize the risk factors involved in signing the education loan. FAQs What are the risks involved for the co-signer? The cosigner should know about all the risks involved if he/she signs the education loan. If the borrower is late then the credit score of the cosigner also drops alongside him/her. If the cosigner wants to get a loan or a mortgage then the cosigned loan will have an impact on his/her credit history. Why does the loan applicant need a cosigner? A cosigner offers a guarantee to the lender that the loan will be repaid. The presence of a cosigner/co-applicant helps your application especially as a student going for an education loan because they In case of default, will the cosigner be able to pay the loan amount? According to statistics, at least 38% of cosigners are called upon to pay up the loan amount because the loan applicant is unable to do so. The co-signer must be prepared for any eventuality and ask him/herself whether he/she is ready to do so under unforeseen conditions. Conclusion There are numerous questions cosigners should ask before taking an education loan because they will also have a responsibility towards fulfilling the conditions of the loan in case of any default. There is an inherent risk involved in being a co-signer. Hence, it is doubly important for him/her to ask the relevant questions. Undertaking a serious discussion with all the involved stakeholders will help to clear all the doubts and understand whether it is feasible to sign as a cosigner or not. 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