Everything You Need to Know About Education Loan for Studying Abroad

According to The Times of India, the number of active education loan accounts in India stands at around 28 lakhs. Additionally, the average amount of loan availed has considerably increased from Rs. 5 Lakh to Rs. 9 Lakh during the financial year 2018-19.

Such substantial increase is directly attributed to the growing demand for higher education. A significant number of students opt to enrol in foreign universities to complete their studies every year.

Consequently, the demand for education loans for abroad studies has also witnessed a remarkable surge in demand. It is mainly because of the huge expenses incurred while studying abroad; many opt to pay for the necessary expenses with the help of an affordable credit.

Alternatively, you can also avail a loan against property to fulfil your financial needs towards higher studies overseas.

Eligibility criteria for education loan

Irrespective of whichever course you plan to pursue abroad, you can always avail an education loan for that purpose. These credits provide adequate financial backing as well as allow you to manage your finances better while studying abroad.

The education loan eligibility criteria are listed as hereunder:

●     The applicant should be a minimum of 18 years of age and must be an Indian citizen.

●     He/she should have secured his seat in a recognized university or college abroad.

●     The student should possess a decent academic background and opt for a technical or professional course for higher studies in a foreign university.

Holding a good academic record is likely to land you with a better career prospect after you complete the course. It lowers the risk associated with lending as you are more likely to repay the debt of an education loan for abroad studies.

Benefits of availing education loan

There are several benefits of applying for a loan against property for education.

●     No end-use restrictions

Unlike education loan, where the loan amount is strictly used for funding your curriculum fee at the college/university, the loan against property education loan for abroad studies has no restrictions on its usage. You can easily fund your living and other related expenses abroad along with your education.

●     Flexible tenor

The ease in repayment of such loans is another added benefit. You can choose to repay it through an extended tenor of 20 years. A longer tenor helps you to repay the amount in a convenient manner without burdening your regular expenses. In addition, you can also choose part pre-payment or even one-time payment of the loan if you desire.

●     Hassle-free disbursal

The loan against property is a secured loan and hence requires minimum documentation and eligibility criteria to avail it. Most financial institutions disburse the loan in just 4 working days after approval. As a result, you get easier and faster access to the education loan for abroad studies, which in turn helps to cover up the initial admission charges as well.

Bajaj Finserv is a financial institution that offers loan against property at affordable rates of interest and at minimum eligibility criteria. It also offers pre-approved offers for the loan to make the process of application easier and faster.

These pre-approved offers are also available on various other financial products such as home loans, personal loans, business loans, etc. you can take a look at your pre-approved offer by providing a few details including your name and contact number.

Education loans are essential for those who would otherwise choose to back out from pursuing their dream education.  Considering this fact, many lenders are offering education loans for study abroad studies to help students overcome their financial hurdle.

Simultaneously, a loan against property can be an apt way to fund your education where you can avail a larger amount easily. Make sure that you apply for the same beforehand considering your current financial status so as to avoid falling into a debt trap later.

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An Easy Guide to Check the Status of Your Income Tax Return

●       ITR filing is mandatory as per specifications

●       Check your ITR status using your login credentials

●       If not, check ITR status using PAN and ITR acknowledgment

●       Filing ITR helps in getting financing via a Home Loan

Filing your Income Tax Return (ITR) is a process of declaring your total taxable income for the given financial year, which includes all sources of earnings such as via investments, salary or revenue from a business. Taxes vary based on, and you should know the slab you fall under to compute the tax you need to pay. While filing of income tax return is mandatory if your annual gross taxable income exceeds Rs.2.5 lakh, you need to file an ITR even under other conditions such as when you need to claim a tax refund, if you have a financial interest in an entity outside India, when you pay an electricity bill of over Rs.1 lakh and more.

Whether you prepare your ITR offline and upload it online or are e-filing income tax returns online in entirety, remember that timely ITR filing can come in handy when you are applying for a loan. For instance, if you are planning to take a home loan to finance your dreams of being a homeowner, having your income tax returns in place can help you get the loan quicker as it attests to your income and reliability as a borrower.

You can file IT returns by downloading the forms available on the Income Tax Department’s official website. Once you have filed your income tax return, you can check the status online in two ways. Read on to know more.

How to check ITR status using your login credentials

Once you have completed the filing of Income Tax Returns online, you can use your login credentials to check the status of your IT returns.

●       Log in to the official Income Tax Department website

●       Click on ‘Dashboard’ from the menu

●       From the drop-down options, click on ‘View Returns/Forms’

●       Then select ‘Income Tax Returns’ and the assessment year from the and click on the ‘Submit’ button

●       View the status of your IT returns displayed on the screen

●       The status will either have ‘successfully e-verified’ or ‘ITR processed’

‘Successfully e-verified’ means that your ITR has been successfully verified. Once the processing is complete, in which case the refund, if due, is sent to you, you will see the words ‘ITR processed’.

How to check ITR status without using your login credentials

If you have misplaced the details of your login credentials, you can still check the status of your Income Tax Returns through the following steps.

●       Visit the official Income Tax Department website.

●       Click on the ‘ITR Status’ mentioned under the ‘Services’ tab.

●       You will then be redirected to a page wherein you will need to fill in your PAN card number and ITR acknowledgment number.

●       You then need to click on the ‘Submit’ button upon entering the captcha code.

●       View the status of your IT returns displayed on the screen.

Now that you know how to check the status after filing income tax returns, here is all you need to know about when you need to file ITRs and the documents you need to do so.

Who needs to file Income Tax Returns?

Here is the list of Indian citizens who need to file ITRs.

●       Individuals under the age of 60 and having an annual income exceeding Rs.2.5 lakh, excluding deductions

●       Senior citizens having an annual income exceeding Rs.3 lakh, excluding deductions

●       Super senior citizens having an annual income exceeding Rs.5 lakh, excluding deductions

●       Individuals who want to carry forward a loss or claim a tax refund

●       A resident who has a financial or beneficial interest in any asset or entity outside India

●       A resident who has signing authority in a bank outside India

The Budget 2019 mandates that the following are required to file ITRs in 2020-21 irrespective of income:

●       Individuals who withdraw from their current account more than Rs.1 crore annually

●       Individuals who pay Rs.1 lakh or more as their electricity bill

●       Individuals who pay more than Rs.2 lakh for international travel

Documents required to file IT Returns

While you may not need to submit all of the following documents for e-filing Income Tax Returns, you will need to refer to them to correctly file your income tax return. Experts further recommend that you store the receipts and certificates for future reference.

●       Copy of your PAN card and Aadhaar card

●       Proof of tax-saving investments and expenses, if applicable

●       Duly filled Form 16 (A/B/C, as applicable)

●       Your salary slips for each month

●       Your bank account statement

●       TDS certificate

●       Interest certificates (for a housing loan, FDs, etc)

●       Duly filled form 26AS

●       Proof of capital gains

●       Home loan statement from your financier

●       Proof of deductions under section 80D to 80U

In order to avoid a penalty, ensure that you file your income tax return every financial year. As explained above, filing ITR in a timely fashion also helps you get a loan easily.

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How To Download PAN Card (e-pan card) Online?

PAN card is a 10-digit alphanumeric document issued by the Income Tax department. It is a KYC document that is also used for making specific transactions.  

Earlier, there were only physical cards that were dispatched to the registered address of communication. However, after Union Budget 2019, the Central Board of Direct Taxes introduced the facilitation of e-PAN cards that can be downloaded easily.

This service is more beneficial to users as the physical card can be lost or damaged. However, individuals who have insurance plan like wallet care policy can avail the needed financial assistance for re-application of PAN card.

Subsequently, the re-application procedure is now easier with the introduction of e-PAN card. Besides, such cards downloaded are considered on par with the physical cards issued by Income Tax Department of India.

Individuals looking to download their lost PAN card can follow the below-mentioned procedure –

With acknowledgement number

Step 1. Browse to the official website of NSDL and tap on ‘Download e-PAN card’ button.

Step 2. Submit the acknowledgement number of PAN application that you have received.

Step 3.   Click on the ‘Generate OTP’ button.

Step 4.  Input the OTP received on your registered mobile number and click ‘Validate’.

Step 5.  Click the ‘Download PDF’ button to download e PAN card lost.

With PAN and date of birth

Step 1. Browse to the official NSDL portal for e-PAN to apply for duplicate PAN card.

Step 2.  Input details such as permanent account number, date of birth, and captcha code.

Step 3. Click the ‘Submit’ button.

A token number is generated after this step, which is needed to be saved for reference purpose in future.

Step 4.  After this, click on ‘Continue With PAN Application Form’.

Step 5.  Choose one of the following options –

●       Submit with e-sign and e-KYC.

●       Submit scanned images through e-sign.

●       Physically forwarding documents to NSDL office.

Step 6. Check the box in accordance to apply for duplicate PAN card.

Step 7. Tap ‘Next’ after entering details, such as –

●       Aadhaar number.

●       Name as mentioned in Aadhaar.

●       EID number.

●       Father’s and mother’s name.

Step 8.   Contact details are to be submitted that includes next.

Step 9. Aadhaar card needs to be uploaded under the documents section to add a proof address and identity before clicking on the ‘Submit’ button.

Lastly, users are redirected to the payment page which they need to make to receive a 15-digit PAN application number.

After the payment is made, applicants will receive e-PAN in their registered address of communication. This can cause individuals a re-application fee which they have to pay in case of loss, theft or damage of PAN card.

Subsequently, individuals who have already availed Pocket Insurance & Subscriptions such as the card protection plan by Bajaj Finserv can avail the benefit of the policy and avail reimbursement for the imposed charge of re-application of PAN card. Individuals can buy wallet care to insure themselves from the suddenly accustomed financial loss. 

Such a purse care policy helps individuals acquire financial security even if their valuables such as credit card and debit card, along with PAN cards, meet unforeseen situations of loss or theft.

Now, the procedure of downloading e-PAN card is easy and quick but requires individuals to make payments of re-issue fee. Also, losing an identity card is associated with several risks as it can be used for fraudulent transactions made by the burglar. Therefore, having an identity theft insurance cover is preferable by cardholders as it takes care of the lost card while assisting the insured financially.

Individuals can make use of the above-mentioned procedure and download their e-PAN card, which is equivalent to physical cards. They can also acquire a physical PAN card, if lost, using the same procedure.

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Where should you invest to grow your savings?

A good way to leverage your earnings is to invest. However, most risk-averse individuals stash their earnings in a savings account. While this allows for easy liquidity, it also bars you from earning additional income. This is due to the fact that the interest earnings on a savings account are negligible. Furthermore, if your goals require ample funding, then just having money in savings will not be of much help as it will not permit any growth.

At this stage, look at the different types of investments and choose where to invest money as per your risk appetite. To help you get started, here are a few lucrative options to invest your money in.

Fixed Maturity Plan

This type of investment in mutual funds is an exceptional instrument to introduce yourself to the market. It has incredible short-term benefits because of its potential to bring in significant returns without the need for a lengthy lock-in period. Generally, mutual funds carry a high risk and this is why the average Indian steers clear.

However, FMPs invest in debt funds such as treasury bills or government bonds. This makes them a lot more lucrative and safer as these assets are government-linked. Additionally, FMPs help you save on tax payments. This is because they are closed-ended in nature, meaning investments only happen during the final phases of the tenor.

This is where indexation comes into play and you enjoy higher returns as a result of lower tax payments. With a good fund manager, FMP investments can bring in returns on average between 8% and 11%, however, this depends on the market.

Public Provident Fund

This Government of India backed long-term investment offers an interest rate of 8% currently which resets every quarter. The minimum investment amount for a PPF is Rs.500 and can be availed by anyone over the age of 18. This scheme matures after a 15-year term, allowing partial withdrawals after the 7^th year of investment. Interest earnings through this investment are not subject to taxation and you enjoy additional tax benefits on the investment amount as well. Furthermore, after the initial tenor of 15 years is up, you can extend the investment in blocks of 5 years to grow your wealth even further. The long lock-in period in combination with compounding interest translates into high earnings at the end of the tenor.

Fixed or Term Deposit

A fixed deposit is favoured from the various types of deposits in the market, simply because of its benefits. Term deposits offers high fixed returns with a low-risk quotient. FD interest rates are unaffected by market volatility and so, you enjoy investment security right from the first day. Typically, term deposits are offered by two major issuers, banks and NBFCs.

When it comes to just profits, NBFC FDs offer higher interest rates making them a lucrative investment option. Furthermore, NBFCs have shorter investment tenors and lower lock-in periods allowing you to combat inflation and take advantage of the updated rates. Similarly, some issuers even allow you to benefit from a renewal bonus which adds to your existing interest rate. Use this to your advantage to grow your wealth by a significant amount.

While there may be various types of deposits in the market, the Bajaj Finance Fixed Deposit stands out from the competition. This is due to the fact that it offers a high interest rates up to 8.95% for senior citizens and 8.60% for regular investors at a tenor of 36 months and above with interest earnings payable at maturity. The minimum investment amount of Rs.25,000 makes this FD incredibly easy to start with as well. Further, this term deposit offers added interest on renewal and the potential to earn more than 50% of your invested capital.

Equity Funds

Equity fund investments are a type of mutual fund that invests in the shares of companies. The profit earned depends on the performance of the company during the tenor and so the risk quotient is a lot higher. Due to this fact, the possible yield is also much greater.

Equity fund investments are divided into 3 variants based on market capitalisation. These are large-cap, mid-cap and small-cap. Depending on your goals, your fund manager will employ a healthy mix of the 3 types. Besides the high yield factor, this type of investment is typically designed for long-term holding making it a lot more profitable as the company flourishes. Any profits you make, depend on the expertise of the fund manager and your own knowledge of the market.

Gold

This investment is considered evergreen simply because of its tendency to grow in value. Owning gold is extremely valuable because it is an easy asset to resell as both banks and private buyers are constantly looking to buy. Due to this fact, the gold market is constantly fluctuating and depending on your market knowledge, you can turn a profit within no time. Typically, financial advisors suggest having no more than 10% of your investment portfolio invested in any gold-related avenues. This is because the value is affected by demand and general prices. Identifying these instances requires a trained mind and so does knowing when to sell.

Now that you know the most lucrative types of investments, you can choose where to invest money with ease and more responsibly. While considering these types of deposits, pick an option that can earn you profits without high risk. Doing so not only helps you grow a healthy corpus, but alleviates you from the investment stress that comes along with it.

You will notice that a fixed deposit is the safest high-yielding investment and you should take advantage of market-leading offerings while the rates are up. You can even initiate the investment procedures online, simply fill out the application form and authorise the issuer to get in contact with you to discuss the particulars of your investment.

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Can I use a Bajaj Finserv Card on Amazon?

Have you heard your friends using the easy EMI facility on leading eCommerce platforms such as Amazon and saving huge on their orders?

What, did they also told you that they did not have a credit card and still managed to buy products on EMIs?

If yes, then even you can go ahead and start using the No Cost EMI Amazon facility and many more places even without having a credit card!

Yes, that’s possible when you use the Bajaj Finserv EMI Network Card on Amazon and buy products on easy EMIs. Do you want to know more? Continue reading this post!

What is Bajaj Finserv EMI Network?

The Bajaj Finserv EMI Network is a payment network that provides you with a consumer durable loan of up to Rs.4 lakh as per your eligibility. You can use the loan amount to buy products on many platforms such as Amazon to purchase products on EMIs.

This way, you don’t need to compromise on your wish of buying products on EMIs even without credit cards. All that you need to have is the Bajaj Finserv EMI Network Card. You can swipe or provide the details of the Bajaj Finserv EMI Network Card to shop for smartphones, apparels, electronics, lifecare, groceries and 1 million+ products on EMIs.

You can also enjoy the Bajaj Finserv Amazon shopping experience without issues.

What are the benefits of the Bajaj Finserv EMI Network?

1) Loan amount of up to Rs.4 lakh

You can get a credit limit of up to Rs.4 lakh as per your eligibility so that you can use the amount to spread the price of a product over a tenor and pay only fixed EMIs.

2) Flexible loan tenor

You also get to enjoy a flexible loan tenor ranging between 3 and 24 months to repay as per your needs.

3) Minimal documentation

You can forget submitting heaps of documents and filling lots of forms. You can submit KYC documents and a cancelled cheque to get approvals for the credit limit quickly.

4) Minimal down payment and foreclosure charges

Almost all products listed on the Bajaj Finserv EMI Network come with zero or minimal down payment and foreclosure charges. Hence, it is easier to divide the cost of a product into an instalment as per your needs and pay in affordable EMIs.

How to carry on with Bajaj Finserv Amazon shopping?

Amazon is the largest internet retail organization globally, with 310+ million active customers. Amazon offers a plethora of products that you can find suiting your aspirations such as smartphones, electronics, games, software, fashion and more.

You can use the Bajaj Finserv EMI Network Card on Amazon to buy products on affordable EMIs by dividing their costs over a suitable tenor. Bajaj Finserv has partnered with Amazon to let you buy products across 15 categories on No Cost EMIs. All that you need to do is using your Bajaj Finserv EMI Network Card to shop for at least Rs.4,500.

What’s more, you can also enjoy additional benefits such as zero down payments, repayment tenor of up to 12 months (on Amazon) and much more.

How to shop on EMIs using Bajaj Finserv Amazon facility?

1) Go and visit the Amazon website on your browser or access the Amazon app on your mobile phone.

2) Browse for your desired products and make your selection.

3) While on the payment method, choose Bajaj Finserv No Cost EMI as the preferred mode.

4) Select a convenient EMI tenor that best matches your needs.

5) Enter the OTP (One-time password) that you receive on your registered mobile number and confirm your order.

That’s it; you have successfully used your Bajaj Finserv EMI Network Card on Amazon to buy products on hassle-free EMIs even without having a credit card.

What are you still waiting for? Apply for the Bajaj Finserv EMI Network Card now and start using the facility on Amazon and lots of other platforms.

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