Obtaining education loans assists numerous ambitious students in following their academic dreams every year. However, these debts need sensible administration and well-planned repayment to prevent unwelcome consequences like penalties, credit damage or legal trouble. With quick financial education loan repayment planning, loan recipients can maintain healthy credit while fulfilling payment commitments without chaos.
This article shares practical repayment strategies for student loan. The practical tips below can help you manage your debts responsibly during your studies and repay systematically as you start your career, supporting your educational and financial goals.
How to Manage and Repay Educational Loan Effectively
Here are some of the top tips that will help you manage an educational loan repayment easily:
1. Frequently Track Repayment Timelines
Loan tenures span months or years and comprise sizable principal and interest payouts. Tracking repayment schedules right from loan disbursement is vital to avoid unplanned defaulting, which can destabilise credit or attract penalties.
- Note down the disbursement date, tenure duration, and tentative repayment commencement schedules in personal planners.
- Use online portals to ascertain the exact pending principal, tenure completion date and other loan details.
- Compute the expected monthly repayment value, i.e. education loan EMI management, well in advance.
- Mark instalment due dates clearly in calendars and set payment reminders periodically.
2. Moderate Expenses and Create Reasonable Student Budgets
Realistic budgeting enables students to control superfluous expenditure, channelising residual savings towards education loan repayment. Prepare sensible annual estimates for anticipated outlays like food, rental stays, academic requirements, transport and typical living costs.
- Distinguish between essential monthly needs vs discretionary wants, minimise lavish splurging during the student phase.
- Share rented accommodations with peers to lower rental expenses significantly.
- Cook economical meals using seasonal ingredients rather than frequently eating out.
- Defer big-ticket purchasing or leisure travel to post-employment years.
3. Cultivate Careful Credit Habits During Academics
Lenders assess overall credit conduct before approving loans. Students must proactively build creditworthiness by developing sensible financial habits.
- Open savings accounts to initiate an individual credit history early.
- If using credit cards, limit expenditure to 30% of sanctioned limits and pay bills promptly.
- Avoid accumulating multiple unplanned debts through college years
- Initiate systematic emergency fund savings each month for a repayment buffer.
4. Explore Optimal Repayment Options Before Completion,
Ideally, graduates must shortlist 2-3 loan repayment structures from their financial institutions, comparing parameters to select the most suitable one. Assess all available offerings on aspects like prevailing interest rates, tenure alternatives, applicable processing fees, etc, for prudent choice.
- Opt for shorter repayment terms to restrict total interest payouts.
- Consider refinancing if prevailing market interest rates decline advantageously.
- Attempt partial pre-payments whenever possible to pare down the outstanding principal.
- Request a gradual increment in Equated Monthly Instalments (EMIs) aligned to expected income growth.
5. Consult Tax Experts to Claim Available Benefits
Specified tax rebates apply on annual education loan repayments. Under Section 80E of the Income Tax Act, you may claim a deduction for the entire interest paid on your education loan, with no upper limit on the amount, subject to specific provisions. However, graduates must seek expert guidance to claim eligible amounts accurately as per the latest income tax statutes. Keep abreast of regulatory changes annually.
Conclusion
Limit trivial expenditure, generate savings through jobs, and diligently track repayment timelines always. Tools like the Shriram Finance Student Loan Calculator can further support your planning by helping you estimate EMIs and organise your repayment schedule with greater clarity. Before finishing academics, assess multiple lending structures for optimal selection. Obtain clarity on tax exemptions for prudent filing. Follow these handy steps, exercising financial prudence to prevent future troubles.
Education loans can support career advancement when managed responsibly and with proper planning.
Stay determined and proactive in systematically addressing this obligation while progressing professionally post-studies. Repay on time in line with income flows to sustain healthy credit, which is essential for major purchases like housing loans later.
