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IOB Education Loan Repayment Rules

IOB Education Loan Repayment Rules: A Detailed Guide

Written By
Vaishali Pandey
&
Reviewed By
Manoj Shetty
Updated On:
Jan 19, 2026
|
5
mins read
Vaishali Pandey
Updated On:
Jan 19, 2026

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Pursuing higher education at a reputed university is a major milestone, but managing the finances that come with it requires equal attention. 

Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) supports students through dedicated education loan schemes, yet the real responsibility begins after the course is completed. Understanding the IOB education loan repayment rules is crucial to avoid unnecessary stress and financial slip-ups. 

Clear awareness of moratorium periods, interest benefits, and repayment timelines helps you plan your finances smartly and stay focused on building your career without long-term debt pressure.

Key Takeaways

  • IOB provides an extensive repayment window of up to 15 years, excluding the moratorium period.
  • Borrowers benefit from a "repayment holiday" consisting of the Course Duration + 1 year (or 6 months after getting a job, whichever is earlier).
  • There are nil prepayment or foreclosure charges, allowing you to close your loan early without any penalty.
  • Students can avail of a 1% interest concession if they service the interest during the moratorium period, along with a 0.50% concession for girl students.
  • For studies in India, the limit goes up to ₹150 Lakhs, while for studies abroad, it reaches up to ₹300 Lakhs for top-ranked institutions.

What is the IOB Education Loan Scheme?

To truly grasp the repayment aspect, one must first ask: What is the IOB education loan scheme? Indian Overseas Bank offers multiple products under its education umbrella. 

The most prominent is the Vidya Jyoti scheme, which follows the IBA Model Education Loan Scheme. This is designed for students pursuing graduation, post-graduation, or professional diplomas in recognised institutions.

For those aiming for premier institutes like the IIMs or IITs, the bank offers the Vidya Shrest scheme, which provides higher loan amounts with reduced interest rates and easier collateral requirements. 

Additionally, the Skill Loan scheme caters specifically to vocational training and skill development programmes with a shorter repayment cycle.

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Detailed IOB Education Loan Repayment Rules

The IOB education loan repayment rules are structured to provide maximum breathing room for fresh graduates. Unlike personal or car loans, education loans acknowledge that a student needs time to find stable employment before the instalments kick in.

The Repayment Holiday (Moratorium)
The moratorium period is the most vital rule. At IOB, this period lasts for the entire duration of your course plus one additional year. During this time, you are not required to pay the principal amount. However, simple interest is charged. You have the choice to either pay this interest monthly or let it accumulate (capitalise) to be added to your principal once the EMI starts.
Maximum Repayment Tenure
One of the most frequent queries is about the total time allowed for clearance. The repayment tenure of the IBA Model Education Loan Scheme at IOB is 15 years. This starts after the moratorium period ends. This long duration ensures that the Equated Monthly Instalments (EMIs) are kept at a manageable level for early-career professionals.
Prepayment and Foreclosure
IOB encourages early repayment. If you receive a bonus or have extra savings, you can pay back a portion or the entirety of your loan ahead of schedule. There are no prepayment charges for IOB education loans, which is a significant advantage over many private lenders.
Simple Interest Phase
During the moratorium, IOB calculates simple interest on the disbursed amount. While you aren't forced to pay EMIs yet, servicing this interest monthly qualifies you for a 1% interest concession.
Interest Capitalisation
If you choose not to pay the interest during the moratorium, the accumulated interest is "capitalised." This means it is added to your principal amount at the end of the holiday period, and your EMIs are calculated on this new, higher total.
Late Payment Penalty
Financial discipline is crucial. For loans above ₹4 Lakhs, IOB levies a 2% penal interest on the overdue amount for the period it remains unpaid.
Life Insurance Requirement
For loans above ₹7.5 Lakhs, it is mandatory to arrange for a credit life insurance policy. This ensures that in any unfortunate event, the burden of repayment does not fall solely on your co-borrowers.

Interest Rates and Concessions

As of 2026, IOB’s interest rates are primarily linked to the Repo Linked Lending Rate (RLLR). The interest for the Vidya Jyoti scheme typically hovers around 11.00%, while Vidya Shrest (for premier institutes) can be as low as 9.75% to 10.25%.

Gender-based Benefit
Female students receive a flat 0.50% concession on the applicable interest rate.
Prompt Payment Rebate
If you choose to service the interest during the moratorium period (rather than letting it capitalise), IOB offers a 1% rebate on the interest rate for the entire tenure.

Unsure about how your interest is calculated? Check out our guide on Understanding Education Loan Interest Rates to stay ahead of your debt.

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How to Check Education Loan Balance in Indian Overseas Bank?

Once your repayment begins, staying updated on your outstanding amount is crucial. If you are wondering how to check education loan balance in Indian Overseas Bank, there are several digital and offline methods available:

SMS Banking
Send an SMS from your registered mobile number in the format BAL <Last 4 digits of Account Number> to 8424022122.
Missed Call Service
Simply give a missed call to 9210622122 or 9289222029 to receive your balance details via SMS instantly.
IOB Mobile App (Nanban)
Log in to the Nanban or IOB Mobile app using your credentials to view your detailed loan statement and outstanding principal.
Internet Banking
Access the official IOB Net Banking portal and navigate to the 'Accounts' section to download your interest certificate and balance statement.

Repayment Modes and Prepayment

IOB offers three primary methods to manage your monthly instalments:

  • Standing Instruction (SI): Automated monthly deductions if you have an IOB savings account.
  • Electronic Clearing Service (ECS/NACH): Automatic deductions from a non-IOB bank account.
  • Post-Dated Cheques (PDC): Accepted primarily at non-ECS locations.

Crucially, if you wish to foreclose your loan or make part-payments to reduce the interest burden, you can do so at any time. There are nil prepayment charges, making it easier to close the loan as soon as your finances allow.

The IOB education loan repayment rules are designed to be student-centric, offering a generous 15-year window and essential interest concessions. 

By understanding the "repayment holiday" and opting to pay interest during your studies, you can significantly reduce your total debt. 

Always remember to use digital tools like SMS banking to keep a close eye on your balance and aim for prepayments whenever possible.

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FAQs About IOB Education Loan Repayment Rules

Is Canara Bank better than IOB for education loans?

Both are public sector banks with similar rules. However, IOB's Vidya Shrest offers very competitive rates for premier Indian institutes, while Canara might have better international tie-ups for certain countries.

Can I extend my repayment tenure beyond 15 years?

Generally, the maximum tenure is fixed at 15 years as per the IBA model. Extensions are only possible in rare cases of multi-stage study (e.g., pursuing a PhD immediately after a Master's).

What is the IOB education loan scheme for vocational courses?

It is called the Skill Loan Scheme. It covers loans from ₹5,000 to ₹1.5 Lakh and has a shorter repayment tenure of 3 to 7 years.

Are there any charges for closing the loan early?

No, IOB does not charge any foreclosure or prepayment fees.

How is the interest calculated during the moratorium?

Simple interest is calculated on the disbursed amount. If not paid, this is added to the principal to form the base for EMI calculation later.

Do I need collateral for a ₹10 Lakh loan at IOB?

Yes, according to IOB education loan repayment rules, any amount exceeding ₹7.5 Lakhs requires tangible collateral (like property, FDs, or LIC policies).

What happens if I lose my job during the repayment period?

You can approach the bank for a temporary deferment, but this is at the branch manager's discretion and usually involves a penalty or continued interest accrual.

Is the interest rate fixed or floating?

It is a floating rate linked to the RLLR, meaning your EMI may change if the RBI changes the repo rate.

Can I pay my EMI through other bank accounts?

Yes, you can set up a National Automated Clearing House (NACH) mandate to deduct EMIs from any bank account in India.

How to get the 1% interest concession?

You must service the interest every month during the study and moratorium period without a single default.

Does IOB offer loans for studies abroad?

Yes, under Vidya Jyoti, you can get up to ₹300 Lakhs for top-ranked global universities.

What documents are needed to check the balance offline?

You simply need your loan account number and your registered mobile number for SMS/Missed call services. For a physical statement, carry your ID proof to the branch.

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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Manoj Shetty
Chief Business Officer, Higher Education at Propelld
Check out full profile

With 24+ years of leadership experience in financial services, Manoj has worked across diverse roles—from CEO of a publicly listed NBFC to Head of Sales and Corporate Strategy Lead. He carries a grassroots understanding of lending, education financing, and customer needs.

He currently serves as the Chief Business Officer for Higher Education at Propelld, where he drives growth in education lending through sales leadership, credit oversight, and innovative product design.

Throughout his career, Manoj has held CXO and strategic leadership roles, including CEO of a listed NBFC and Business Head at DHFL Pramerica Life Insurance, overseeing large-scale sales operations, credit, and compliance. His 12+ years in corporate strategy combined with 8+ years in frontline sales give him a 360-degree view of financial services, from ground level execution to high-level strategic planning.

Passionate about building scalable lending businesses, Manoj is known for his ability to anticipate market trends, optimize operational efficiency, and drive sustainable growth in the education finance sector. He also writes actively about these. 

Outside work, Manoj is  passionate about reading, writing blogs, playing the guitar, cricket, and paragliding.

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