Education Loan Scheme (NSFDC)

Description
The "Education Loan Scheme" is implemented by the National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation NSFDC under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India. Under this Scheme, the loan is provided for pursuing full-time Professional/Technical courses in recognized institutions as one-time assistance. The Educational Loan shall cover Admission Fee, Tuition Fee, Books, Stationery, Equipment, Examination Fee, Hostel and Mess Expenses, Insurance Premium for Policy for insuring loanees against loan in case of death or permanent disability, Travel Expenses/Passage Money including Visa Expenses for studying abroad, Caution Money, Development Fund, Clothing Allowance including weather protective clothing in extreme climate in case of foreign study . Professional/Technical Courses Covered: Educational Loans shall be provided to eligible students for pursuing regular full-time Professional/Technical recognized courses approved by the Government in the following fields in India or abroad: - Engineering Diploma/ B.Tech /B.E, M.Tech/M.E. - Architecture B.Arch/M.Arch - Medical MBBS/MD/MS - Biotechnology/Microbiology/Clinical Technology Diploma/Degree - Pharmacy B.Pharma/M.Pharma - Dental BDS/MDS - Physiotherapy B.Sc./M.Sc. - Pathology B.Sc/M.Sc. - Nursing B.Sc./M.Sc. - Information Technology BCA/MCA - Management BBA/MBA - Hotel Management & Catering Technology Diploma /Graduation/Post Graduation - Law LLB/LLM - Education CT/NTT/B.Ed/M.Ed - Education CT/NTT/B.Ed/M.Ed - Physical Education C.PEd./B.PEd/ M.PEd - Journalism & Mass Communication Graduation/Post Graduation - Geriatric Care Diploma/Post Graduate Diploma - Midwifery Diploma - Laboratory Technician Diploma - Chartered Accountancy CA - Cost Accountancy ICWA - Company Secretaryship CS - Actuarial Sciences Graduation/ Post Graduation/FIA - Associate Member of the Institute of Engineers AMIE and Institute of Electronics & Telecommunication - Higher education like Doctoral Studies leading to M.Phil/PhD from recognized institutions.

Benefits
• **Maximum Loan Limit:**
• **Up to ₹30,00,000/-** (for studies in India) and **upto ₹40,00,000/-** (for studies abroad) or 90% of course fee, whichever is less.
• **Rate of Interest:**
• **For studies in India:** NSFDC shall charge interest @ 2% per annum from the SCAs, which in turn, shall charge 6% per annum from the beneficiaries. In case of women beneficiaries, an interest rebate of 0.5% is provided. - **For studies abroad:** NSFDC shall charge interest @ 3% per annum from the SCAs, which in turn, shall charge 7% per annum from the beneficiaries. In case of women beneficiaries, an interest rebate of 0.5% is provided.
• **Repayment Period:**
• The maximum repayment period under the Educational Loan Scheme is as under:-
• **For Loan up to ₹10,00,000/-:** Within 10 years - **For Loan above ₹10,00,000/-:** Within 12 years

Eligibility Criteria
1. The applicant should be a student pursuing regular full-time Professional or Technical courses in a recognized institution in India or abroad.
2. The applicant should belong to a Scheduled Caste community.
3. The applicant's annual family income should be less than ₹3,00,000/-, both in rural and urban areas.
4. The education loan assistance will be provided as a one-time assistance.

Required Documents
• Passport-size photograph
• Aadhaar Card
• Income certificate
• Caste certificate
• Residence proof
• Valid Passport (For Study Abroad)
• Valid Visa/Permit (If any for study abroad)
• Educational qualification certificates
• Copy of admission confirmation from an educational institute with fee and other charges payment schedule yearly
• Copy of Identity card issued by the Institute if admission has already taken
• Any other documents as required

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is NSFDC?
A: NSFDC stands for National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation. It was set up by the Government of India under Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (MOSJ&E) on 8th February, 1989 under Section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956 as a company 'not for profit'. Now, it is Section 8 Company (not-for-profit) under campanies Act, 2013.

Q: What is the Contact Address of NSFDC?
A: NSFDC has its Head Office at Delhi and its full address and contact number is :- National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation 14th Floor, SCOPE Minar, Core 1 & 2, Laxmi Nagar, Delhi ? 110 092 Tele: 011-22054392, 22054394, 22054396. Fax: 011-22054395 E-mail : support-nsfdc[@]nic[dot]in Website : www.nsfdc.nic.in It has three Liasion Centers at Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru.

Q: What is the main objective of NSFDC?
A: NSFDC's main objective is to finance, facilitate and mobilize funds for the economic empowerment of persons belonging to the Scheduled Caste families having annual family income up to [?]3,00,000/-.

Q: For which Educational courses, the Educational Loan is provided by NSFDC?
A: The Educational Loan is provided for the courses run by the recognized Educational Institutions. Presently, it is provided for pursuing following full time professional/technical courses:-
1. Full time Professional/Technical courses in the fields of Engineering, Medical, Dental, Management, Information Technology, Hotel Management, Architecture, Physiotherapy, Bio-Technology, Law, Education, Journalism etc.
2. Professional courses like CA/ICWA/CS/AMIE/FIA/IETE.
3. Higher education like Doctoral Studies leading to M.Phil/PhD from recognized institutions.

Q: What expenses are covered under this loan scheme?
A: The loan covers admission fees, tuition fees, books, stationery, equipment, examination fees, hostel and mess expenses, insurance premiums, travel expenses for studying abroad, caution money, development fund, clothing allowance, and other related expenses.

Q: What is the maximum loan amount for studies in India?
A: The maximum loan amount for studies in India is [?]30,00,000/- or 90% of the course fee, whichever is less.

Q: What is the maximum loan amount for studies abroad?
A: The maximum loan amount for studies abroad is [?]40,00,000/- or 90% of the course fee, whichever is less.

Q: What is the rate of interest for loans taken for studies in India?
A: NSFDC charges 2% per annum from SCAs, which charge 6% per annum from beneficiaries. Women beneficiaries receive an interest rebate of 0.5%.

Q: What is the rate of interest for loans taken for studies abroad?
A: NSFDC charges 3% per annum from SCAs, which charge 7% per annum from beneficiaries. Women beneficiaries receive an interest rebate of 0.5%.

Q: What is the repayment period for loans up to ₹10,00,000/-?
A: The repayment period for loans up to [?]10,00,000/- is within 10 years.

Q: What is the repayment period for loans above ₹10,00,000/-?
A: The repayment period for loans above [?]10,00,000/- is within 12 years.

Q: Who is eligible to apply for this loan?
A: Students pursuing full-time professional or technical courses in recognized institutions in India or abroad who belong to Scheduled Castes and whose annual family income is less than [?]3,00,000/- are eligible.

Q: How can I apply for the Education Loan Scheme?
A: Applicants should contact the District Office of the State Channelizing Agencies (SCAs) and submit their application in the prescribed NSFDC format.

Q: Can the loan be used for studying part-time courses?
A: No, the loan is only available for full-time regular professional or technical courses.