1. Student Documents (Applicant)
These are the core KYC and academic documents that every bank requires from the student applying for the loan.
Aadhaar Card — Self-attested photocopy (front & back). Must match your name in the admission letter exactly.
PAN Card — Required for all loan applicants above ₹50,000. Essential for CIBIL verification.
Passport — Mandatory for international education loans. Must be valid for at least 6 months beyond course end date.
10th Mark Sheet & Certificate — Board certificate as date-of-birth proof and academic record.
12th Mark Sheet & Certificate — Required for all UG and PG education loans.
Graduation Degree & Mark Sheets — For PG/MBA/MS applicants; all semester mark sheets required.
Admission / Offer Letter — Official letter from university on letterhead, mentioning course name, duration, and fee structure.
Fee Structure / Cost of Attendance — Year-wise fee breakdown from the university. Required by all banks.
Entrance Exam Score Card — JEE, NEET, GMAT, GRE, IELTS, TOEFL, CAT, etc. Strengthens your loan application.
2 Passport-Size Photographs — Recent, white background, as per bank specifications.
Student Bank Account Statement — Last 6 months, if applicable (shows your financial behaviour).
2. Co-Applicant Documents
Every education loan in India requires a co-applicant — typically a parent, spouse or guardian. These documents establish their identity, income and creditworthiness.
Identity & Address Proof
Aadhaar Card — Primary identity and address proof for all banks.
PAN Card — Mandatory for CIBIL check. CIBIL score of 700+ strongly recommended.
Voter ID / Passport / Driving Licence — Additional address proof if Aadhaar address differs from current address.
Income Proof — Salaried Co-Applicant
Salary Slips — Last 3 months. Must show company name, gross salary, and deductions.
Form 16 — Last 2 years. Issued by employer at financial year end.
Bank Account Statement — Last 6 months showing salary credits. Must match salary slips.
Employment Certificate / Offer Letter — Confirms job title and duration of employment.
Income Proof — Self-Employed / Business Co-Applicant
ITR (Income Tax Returns) — Last 2 years, with computation of income. Most important document for business income.
Business Bank Account Statement — Last 12 months.
GST Registration Certificate — If applicable.
Business Registration / Udyam Certificate — Confirms legitimacy of the business.
CA-Certified Balance Sheet & P&L — Last 2 years. Required by most government banks.
3. Collateral Documents (If Required)
For loans above ₹7.5 lakhs from government banks, collateral security is typically required. The documents vary based on the type of collateral.
Immovable Property (House / Plot / Commercial Property)
Property Sale Deed / Title Deed — Original ownership document.
Latest Property Tax Receipt — Proof of tax payment and possession.
Encumbrance Certificate — Confirms no existing loan or mortgage on the property.
Valuation Report — From a bank-approved valuer (arranged by the bank).
Approved Building Plan — For residential or commercial property.
Fixed Deposits / NSC / LIC Policy
FD Receipt / NSC Certificate — Original, in the name of co-applicant or student.
LIC Policy Bond — Surrender value statement from LIC, if pledged as collateral.
4. Additional Documents for International Loans
If you are taking a loan to study abroad, the following additional documents are required over and above the standard list.
Valid Passport — At least 6 months validity beyond course completion date.
Visa (if already obtained) — Student visa approval letter or appointment confirmation.
GIC / Blocked Account Confirmation — For Canada (GIC) or Germany (Sperrkonto) — sanction letter satisfies this requirement.
OSHC / Health Insurance Quote — For Australia, as health cover is mandatory for student visa.
Scholarship Letters (if any) — Reduces the loan amount required and strengthens the application.
University Ranking Proof — QS / Times ranking printout for premium rate benefits at SBI.
5. Quick Reference Table
| Document Category | Who Provides | Government Bank | Private Lender |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student KYC (Aadhaar, PAN) | Student | ✅ Required | ✅ Required |
| Admission Letter + Fee Structure | University | ✅ Required | ✅ Required |
| Academic Mark Sheets (10th–UG) | Student | ✅ Required | ✅ Required |
| Co-applicant KYC | Co-applicant | ✅ Required | ✅ Required |
| Salary Slips / ITR (2 years) | Co-applicant | ✅ Required | ✅ Required |
| Bank Statement (6–12 months) | Co-applicant | ✅ Required | ✅ Required |
| Collateral Documents | Co-applicant | Above ₹7.5L | Flexible |
| Passport | Student | International only | International only |
Frequently Asked Questions
Most banks require a confirmed admission or offer letter before processing. However, some private lenders like HDFC Credila allow you to get a conditional approval based on entrance exam scores — and convert it to a full sanction once the admission letter arrives.
ITR for the last 2 years is strongly recommended. If unavailable, some private lenders accept business bank statements (12 months) and a CA certificate as alternatives. Government banks typically insist on ITR. StudyCapital can guide you to the right lender for your co-applicant profile.
Typically 2 sets of self-attested photocopies plus the originals for verification. For online applications (HDFC Credila, Axis Bank), scanned PDFs are accepted. StudyCapital tells you exactly how many copies each specific bank needs.