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Abroad Education Loan Balance Transfer to SBI

Abroad Education Loan Balance Transfer to SBI – Process & Benefits

Written By
Vaishali Pandey
&
Reviewed By
Shailesh Jain
Updated On:
Oct 30, 2025
|
5
mins read
Vaishali Pandey
Updated On:
Oct 30, 2025

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Dreaming of a world-class education but struggling with a high-interest study loan? You’re not alone. Many students look for ways to ease their financial burden by transferring their education loan to a lender offering better terms. The Abroad Education Loan Balance Transfer to SBI is a popular choice, providing the reliability of a trusted public sector bank and more manageable interest rates. SBI’s dedicated Takeover of Education Loans scheme makes the process straightforward, helping students refinance their loans efficiently and focus on what truly matters, their studies and future goals.

Key Takeaways:

  • Lower Interest Rates: Transferring your education loan to SBI can significantly reduce interest costs, making EMIs more manageable
  • Flexible Repayment: SBI offers longer repayment tenures (up to 15 years) to ease financial pressure.
  • Concessions for Women: Female students get an additional interest rate concession, reducing the overall loan burden.
  • Eligibility Requirements: Only Indian citizens with fully disbursed, standard-status loans from recognized institutions are eligible.
  • Comprehensive Documentation: Proper KYC, academic records, co-applicant income proofs, and collateral documents are essential.

Benefits of Transferring Study Loan to SBI

Switching your existing high-cost loan to the State Bank of India (SBI) can unlock several key financial advantages:

1. Significantly Lower Interest Rates: 

SBI, being a public sector bank, typically offers lower interest rates compared to private banks and NBFCs, especially for secured loans. This is the primary driver for an Abroad Education Loan Balance Transfer to SBI.

2. Concession for Women Students: 

SBI offers an additional interest rate concession (usually 0.50%) for female students, which further reduces the overall loan cost.

3. Longer Repayment Tenure: 

The SBI Takeover scheme generally offers a maximum repayment tenure of up to 15 years, giving you more time to comfortably manage your Equated Monthly Instalments (EMIs).

4. Trusted and Transparent Process: 

As India's largest public sector bank, SBI is known for a robust and transparent process with minimal hidden charges.

Explore different Types of Education loans with Eligibility, Interest Rates, & Benefits to understand which option best suits your needs and repayment capacity.

Get an Education Loan with Higher Chances of Approval

Eligibility Criteria for Loan Balance Transfer to SBI

To successfully initiate the process of education loan balance transfer to SBI, both the applicant and the existing loan must meet specific conditions under the SBI Takeover scheme:

Criteria

Details

Nationality

Indian citizens only.

Loan Status

The existing loan must be fully disbursed by the current lender.

Repayment Status

The borrower must have started the repayment (EMIs) with the previous lender and the account should be standard (i.e., no defaults or irregular payments).

Loan Type

The loan being transferred must be for an education course (graduation, post-graduation) from a recognised institution in India or abroad.

Takeover Type

It must be a first-time takeover of the specific loan account.

Loan Amount

Generally, SBI accepts takeovers for loan amounts of ₹10 Lakh and above.

Security/Collateral

A loan transfer to SBI for study abroad typically requires tangible collateral security (e.g., property) worth at least 100% of the loan amount.

Documentation for Education Loan Balance Transfer

A successful transfer hinges on having all necessary documentation in place. Documents are generally required for the student, the co-applicant, and the collateral being pledged.

Core Documents from Current Lender

1. Original Loan Sanction Letter from the current bank.

2. Loan Account Statement showing the complete repayment history (last 1 year).

3. Foreclosure/Outstanding Balance Letter clearly stating the exact amount due for takeover.

4. Original documents of the pledged collateral (to be released to SBI).

Student and Co-Applicant Documents

1. KYC Documents (PAN Card, Passport, Aadhaar Card).

2. Academic documents (Mark sheets from Class 10th to the final degree).

3. Income Proof of Co-applicant (Salary slips for the last 3-6 months, Form 16, and IT Returns for the last 2 years).

4. Bank account statements (last 6 months) for all operating accounts of the student and co-applicant.

Collateral Documents (If Applicable)

1. Title Deed/Sale Deed of the property.

2. Latest Property Tax paid receipt.

3. Approved building plan/Sanctioned Map.

4. Encumbrance Certificate.

5. Chain of past deeds for at least 30 years (as required by the bank's lawyer).

Process of Education Loan Balance Transfer to SBI

The process to transfer your existing high-interest education loan to SBI is structured and involves five main steps:

Step 1: Financial Assessment and Application: 

First, calculate your potential savings by comparing your current rate with SBI's offer. Then, formally apply for the 'Takeover of Education Loans' scheme at an SBI branch or through their online portal.

Step 2: Document Submission and Scrutiny: 

Submit all required documentation, including KYC, academic transcripts, the current loan's sanction letter and repayment history, and the original collateral property papers.

Step 3: Verification and Sanctioning: 

SBI's legal and technical teams will conduct thorough checks on the collateral property (valuation and legal opinion). Upon successful verification, SBI issues an official sanction letter detailing the new loan terms.

Step 4: Foreclosure Request: 

You must then inform your original lender about the sanctioned takeover and request a foreclosure statement, a letter detailing the exact outstanding amount required to close the loan.

Step 5: Final Disbursement and Closure: 

SBI directly disburses the outstanding amount to your original lender. Once the cheque/transfer is cleared, the original lender forecloses the loan and releases the original collateral documents to SBI, finalising the transfer.

If you’re looking for education loan options that don’t require collateral, do check out our detailed guide on Banks That Give Education Loans without Collateral for Abroad.

Minimal Docs, Maximum Approval - Apply Now.

In sum, the decision to pursue an Abroad Education Loan Balance Transfer to SBI is a shrewd financial move, allowing you to convert a high-cost debt into a more manageable, long-term liability. By effectively meeting the eligibility criteria and preparing your documentation, you can leverage SBI’s highly competitive interest rates and concessions, making your repayment journey significantly lighter. 

Don't let high interest rates erode your savings and add stress to your international career. Take action today, visit your nearest SBI branch to explore the takeover scheme and secure your financial peace of mind!

Propelld has you covered with personalised education loans that fit your unique needs. Propelld offers fast digital approvals, study loans of up to ₹50 lakhs, and the ease of zero-collateral requirements. 

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FAQs About Abroad Education Loan Balance Transfer to SBI

1. Is a balance transfer to SBI possible if I took an unsecured loan initially? 

Yes, it is possible, but SBI's takeover scheme for study abroad typically requires collateral. You must be ready to pledge a suitable asset to convert your unsecured loan into a secured one with SBI.

2. How much can I realistically save by transferring my loan to SBI? 

Savings are substantial. Reducing the interest rate by just 1-2% can save you several lakhs over the long repayment tenure, which is the main reason for an Abroad Education Loan Balance Transfer to SBI.

3. How long does the entire loan balance transfer process actually take? 

The process usually takes between 2 to 4 weeks to complete. The time is mostly spent on the mandatory legal checks and valuation of the collateral property.

4. Do I have to pay any pre-payment penalty to my old bank? 

Most Indian banks do not charge a pre-payment penalty on floating-rate education loans. However, you must always confirm this clause with your current lender before applying to SBI.

5. Can I transfer a loan if I have missed a few EMIs? 

No. Your existing loan must be in a "standard" state with a perfect repayment record. Irregular EMIs will negatively impact your credit score and will disqualify you from the SBI takeover scheme.

6. What is the minimum loan amount that can be transferred to SBI? 

SBI generally accepts takeovers for education loan amounts of ₹10 Lakh and above. This ensures the interest savings are significant enough to justify the effort of the transfer.

7. Can I apply for a Top-Up loan along with the balance transfer? 

Yes, you can. SBI often allows a Top-Up facility to be sanctioned concurrently with the balance transfer to cover any unexpected educational or living expenses abroad.

8. Do I need to pay any interest to the old bank during the transfer process? 

Yes, you are liable to pay interest to the original bank right up to the day the foreclosure amount from SBI is cleared and your old loan account is officially closed.

9. What is the concession offered for female students in this scheme? 

Female students are typically eligible for an interest rate concession of 0.50% on the applicable interest rate. This makes the transfer even more financially appealing for women students.

10. Can I transfer a loan that is still being disbursed by the original bank? 

No. For the SBI Takeover Scheme, the existing education loan must be fully disbursed by your previous lender, meaning all funds for the course have been paid out.

11. Does my university's global ranking affect my loan approval or interest rate? 

Absolutely. Admission to a top-ranked university significantly boosts your chances of loan approval and often qualifies you for better terms and lower interest rates. Lenders see this as a sign of strong future repayment capacity.

12. Is there any tax benefit on an education loan for studying abroad? 

Yes. In many countries, including India, the entire interest paid on an education loan for higher studies abroad is eligible for deduction from your taxable income under specific tax laws (like Section 80E).

Vaishali Pandey
Content Marketer
Check out full profile

A banker turned content marketer with expertise in growth-focused content strategies for the finance and digital sectors.  She currently drives data-backed content initiatives at Propelld, through high-impact storytelling.

Before moving into content marketing, Vaishali spent nearly a decade in banking, across their asset and lending divisions and spent almost a decade in finance. An MBA in Marketing and a writer at heart, she finally took up content marketing and now simplifies money talks for the readers.

She is also a certified digital marketer (MICA), combining data-driven insights with creative storytelling to deliver measurable business growth.

Beyond work, Vaishali is a handcrafted brand founder, avid reader, and travel & food blogger, blending creativity and strategy in everything she does.

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Shailesh Jain
Chartered Accountant, Finance Strategist, Associate Director
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A seasoned Chartered Accountant, Shailesh Jain is a finance and compliance leader specializing in corporate finance, financial operations, and fintech-driven lending models. At Propelld, he scales education loan offerings by shaping financial strategies, optimizing operations, and ensuring regulatory excellence, driving sustainable growth in the edtech and fintech space.

An expert in Fintech & Edtech innovation, Shailesh leverages financial insights to transform education lending, combining analytical rigor with strategic foresight. Previously, he led the finance team at Khatabook, building a new lending venture, and has worked with PwC, ICICI Bank, and Mulberry Silks, gaining strong expertise in audit, risk mitigation, and strategic decision-making.

Passionate about financial innovation, he continues to advance education financing in India, creating efficient, scalable, and compliant lending ecosystems.

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