Hello, hello, hello!
Welcome to the very first episode of our No-Nonsense Study Abroad Newsletter – where we keep it raw, real, and straight to the point. No BS, no sales pitch—just the insider info you actually need.
And today, we’re kicking things off with something you literally cannot ignore, something that's all over the news lately—the falling Indian Rupee (₹) and what it means for your study abroad journey.
You must be wondering why we're talking about this in our first episode?
COST.
This one factor makes or breaks a lot of study abroad dreams, and I don’t want yours to be one of them. So, read carefully.
Let’s dive in!!
The weakening of the Indian Rupee (₹) means that every $ or € you spend costs more rupees. Sounds scary, right? Lemme explain!
For Example:
If your tuition fee was $25,000 when the exchange rate was ₹82/$ (March 2024), it would have cost you ₹20,50,000. But today, with the rupee at ₹86.88/$, that same fee now costs ₹21,71,000—a jump of ₹1.2L!
But does this mean you should cancel your study abroad plans?? Definitely not.
Today, I’ll help you with four solid ways to save money while studying abroad!! Let’s start!!
1. How an Education Loan Works as a Hedge Against Depreciation 📉
Surprisingly, taking an education loan can actually help you beat currency depreciation. Here’s why:
🔹 You borrow in INR, but repay in foreign currency later – Once you start working abroad, you’ll earn in dollars or euros, but your loan is in INR. If the rupee continues to weaken, it means you’ll need fewer dollars to repay the same loan amount!
🔹 Tax Benefits – Under Section 80E of the Income Tax Act, the interest you pay on an education loan is tax-deductible, further reducing your cost.
🔹 Grace Period Advantage – Most education loans offer a moratorium period (grace period) where you don’t have to repay until you graduate and get a job.
Example: Suppose you take a loan of ₹20L today, and in 5 years when you start repaying, the rupee has depreciated further. If you’re earning in dollars, the repayment amount feels much smaller compared to if you had taken a loan in USD initially!
💡 Pro Tip: Opt for government-backed education loans or loans with lower interest rates to maximize savings! Check this loan elgibility tool for non-collateral education loan for abroad.
2. Apply for Scholarships 🎓
Scholarships can make a massive difference in reducing your overall expenses!! Here are some types of scholarships you should look for:
✅ Merit-based scholarships – For students with top grades or strong academic backgrounds.
✅ Need-based scholarships – If you can show financial need, many universities offer funding.
✅ University-specific scholarships – Some universities offer exclusive scholarships for international students.
✅ Government scholarships – Like Fulbright, Chevening, and DAAD, which cover tuition and living expenses.
✅ Private organization grants – Many companies and NGOs support students in specialized fields.
💡 Pro Tip: Start your scholarship search 6 to 12 months in advance, and apply to as many opportunities as possible to increase your chances! Remember, competition is high!!
Here are list of top 10 scholarships for study abroad you can checkout.
3. Use Forex Cards to Lock in Better Exchange Rates 💳
Rather than transferring money when the exchange rate is high, you can use forex cards or specialized forex services to lock in better rates. Here’s how:
🔹 Forex Cards – Prepaid cards loaded with foreign currency at a fixed exchange rate. Protects you from currency fluctuations and offers lower transaction fees compared to credit cards.
🔹 Remittance Services – Platforms like Wise, Revolut, and Western Union offer better exchange rates and lower fees than traditional banks.
🔹 Lock-in Rates – Some services allow you to book a rate in advance, so if the rupee weakens further, you won’t be affected.
💡 Pro Tip: Always compare rates across different platforms before transferring money. Even a small difference in exchange rates can save you thousands of rupees!!
Need a full forex card guide? Don't worry I got you covered.
4. Work Part-Time While Studying 💼
Many countries allow international students to work part-time. Imagine this: You can earn between $15–$20 per hour (or even more in some cases) while studying! Here are some popular part-time job options:
🔹 On-campus jobs – Library assistant, research assistant, teaching assistant.
🔹 Retail & hospitality – Work in restaurants, as a barista, cashier, or even food delivery.
🔹 Freelancing – If you have skills in graphic design, content writing, tutoring, or video editing, this is a great option!!
Example: If you work 20 hours a week at $15/hour, that’s $1,200 per month!! That’s $14,400 per year — enough to cover your rent, groceries, or even part of your tuition fees!
I am listing out some material of the best part time jobs and how you can get it:
- Part time jobs in USA
- Part time jobs in UK
- Part time jobs in Austalia
- Part time jobs in New Zealand
- Part time jobs in Canada
- Part time jobs in Netherlands
💡 Pro Tip: Look for universities in countries that offer post-study work visas, so you can continue working after graduation and make the most of your international experience!!
My Thoughts
Yes, the weakening rupee may feel like a huge hurdle, but with smart financial planning, you can still make your study abroad dream a reality. Scholarships, part-time work, forex strategies, and even education loans can help you reduce your expenses and manage currency fluctuations effectively.
The key? Plan ahead and act wisely! 🚀
This the endddddd to our first edition, please please let me know whether you liked it or not? Was it too big? Did I went off topic? You were hoping something else?
Readers: But Jai where should we...
ta-dah: jaideep.hooda@yocket.in 📩
Haha, over & out.
Jai
