Higher Education Loan Interest Waiver-Apply before 20th July2011

As per Press release of Press Information Bureau, Government of India, all eligible students for Central Government Scheme for Interest Subsidy on education loan can get exemption from payment of interest on the education loan which is due on the loans for the academic year 2099-10 onwards.

The last day for claiming this exemption is 20.07.2011. Those already applied for this exemptionneed not apply again.

All Scheduled Member Banks of the IBA have also been advised to take necessary action to adopt and implement the Scheme so that the benefits of the Scheme accrue to the eligible students. Canara Bank is the Nodal Bank, for the Member Banks of IBA, for claiming reimbursement of interests to student accounts.

The loans are for pursuing of studies in professional/technical streams from recognized institutions in India, subject to a loan ceiling of Rs.10 lakhs.

The details of the Scheme as well as the above communication are available on the website of the HRD Ministry at www.education.nic.in.

Central Government has provided this Interest Subsidy (CSIS) taken by students under educational loan scheme of Indian Banks Association (IBA), to pursue Technical/ Professional education studies in India. The scheme is effective from the academic year 2009-10. The benefits of the Scheme would be applicable to those students belonging to economically weaker sections(EWS), with an annual gross parental/family income upper limit of Rs.4.50 lakhs per year (from all sources).

Some of the salient features of the scheme :

The Government of India has approved a scheme to provide full interest subsidy during the period of moratorium i.e. Course Period plus one year or six months after getting job, whichever is earlier, on loans taken by students belonging to Economically Weaker Sections from scheduled banks under the Educational Loan scheme of the Indian Banks’ Association, for pursuing any of the approved courses of studies in technical and professional streams, from recognised institutions in India The Scheme would be applicable only for studies recognised Technical/Professional Courses in India. The interest subsidy shall be linked with the existing Educational Loan Scheme of IBA and restricted to students enrolled in recognised Technical/ Professional Courses (after Class XII) in India in Educational Institutions established by Acts of Parliament, other Institutions recognised by the concerned Statutory Bodies, Indian Institutes of Management (IIMS) and other institutions set up by the Central/State Government. Objective of the Scheme The Governemt of India has approved a scheme to provide full interest subsidy during the period of moratorium i.e. Course Period plus one year or six months after getting job, whichever is earlier, on loans taken by students belonging to Economically Weaker Sections from scheduled banks under the Educational Loan scheme of the Indian Banks’ Association, for pursuing any of the approved courses of studies in technical and professional streams, from recognised institutions in India Applicability of the Scheme

The Scheme would be applicable only for studies recognised Technical/Professional Courses in India. The interest subsidy shall be linked with the existing Educational Loan Scheme of IBA and restricted to students enrolled in recognised Technical/ Professional Courses (after Class XII) in India in Educational Institutions established by Acts of Parliament, other Institutions recognised by the concerned Statutory Bodies, Indian Institutes of Management (IIMS) and other institutions set up by the Central/State Government.

Interest Rates The interest rates charged on the educational loan shall be as per the BPLR/Base Rate of the Individual Banks

Moratorium Period Under the scheme, the interest payable by the student belonging to EWS for availing of the Educational Loan for Technical/Professional Courses in India for the period of moratorium i.e. Course Period plus one year or six months after getting job, whichever is earlier. After the period of moratorium is over, the interest on the outstanding loan amount shall be paid by the student, in accordance with the provisions of the existing Educational Loan Scheme of Banks and as may be amended from time to time, whichever is earlier.

Income Limit/Proof The benefits of the Scheme would be applicable to those students belonging to economically weaker sections(EWS), with an annual gross parental/family income upper limit of Rs.4.50 lakhs per year (from all sources). The scheme is intended to cater to the needs of students belonging to EWS with prescribed upper parental gross income limit of the family from all sources, which is based on economic index and not on social background. The scheme is independent of any other schemes which may cater to Economically Weaker Sections.

Competent Authority The Ministry of HRD, Government of India shall issue an Advisory to all the State Governments requesting them to designate appropriate authority or authorities who are competent to issue income certificates, based on economic index and not social background, for the purpose of this scheme. The Banks shall implement the Scheme based on the notification of the certification authority by State Governments communicated through District Level Consultative Committees (DLCCs).

Eligibility for Interest Subsidy The interest subsidy under the Scheme shall be available to the eligible students only once, either for the first undergraduate degree course or the post graduate degrees/ diplomas in India. Interest Subsidy shall, however, be admissable for integrated courses (graduate+ post graduate). Interest subsidy shall not be available for the following student borrowers, Those students once they discontinue the course midstream, or who are expelled from the Institutions on disciplinary or academic grounds. However, the interest subsidy will be available only if the discontinuation was due to medical grounds for which necessay documentation to the satisfaction of the Head of educational institution will have to be given

Nodal Bank The Scheme shall be implemented through Canara Bank, which is the Nodal Bank for the scheme. However, the student can apply under the scheme only through branch where educational loan is availed

Applicable Academic Year The Scheme shall be applicable from the academic year 2009-10 starting 1stApril, 2009. The loan amount taken starting from the Academic Year 2009-10 (irrespective of the date of sanction) shall only be covered under the scheme of interest subsidy. Interest on any amount disbursed for courses starting before the academic year 2009-10 would not be considered for subsidy

List of Technical/Professional courses Students enrolled in recognised Technical/Professional Courses (after Class XII) in India in Educational Institutions established by Acts of Parliament, other Institutions recognised by UGC/AICTE and other Statutory Bodies, Indian Institutes of Management (IIMS) and other institutions set up by the Central/State Government.

Indicative List of Eligible Courses Under Graduate Courses and Post Graduate Courses in Engineering (B.E/ M.E, B.Tech/M.Tech,B.Arch/ M.Arch etc.) Medical/ Para Medical (MBBS/MD, B.SC/ M.Sc.Nursing,B.Pharmacy/M.Pharmacy, BPT/MPT, BOI/MOI,Siddha, Ayurveda, Homeopathy,Naturopathy etc.)Agriculture, Veterinary, Law, Dental (BDS/MDS), Management, Computer (MCA) etc.,Post Graduate diploma courses duly approved by AICTE/UGC and conducted byrecognized institutions.

Indicative List of Non Eligible courses For studies in institutions abroad, courses pursued without completing class XII, Non Professional and Non Technical under Graduate and Post Graduate courses in Arts, Science, Commerce, Sociology, Music etc., Diploma Courses, Teacher Training Courses, Skill Development, Vocational Training courses etc.,

Download Circular DO No. 11-412010-U.5 of Human Resource Department dated 21.04.2010

Source: Press Information Bureau