In the US alone, there are over 1 million international students, and the number of students - at any level, headed to any country - continues to grow. And many of them, especially at the post-graduate level need education loans to get them from acceptance to degree.
This was exactly the situation Misha Raina faced after her acceptance to the MBA programme at the University of Wisconsin’s School of Business. So she did what many people do; she headed to banks in her home country to secure an international student loan so she could fund her education.
But, it wasn’t as easy as that, as her father, Sudhir Raina, soon discovered.
“My daughter applied for a local education loan after showing ownership of a flat in a prime locality. Despite this, banks made her run around in circles and continually postponed the process by withholding the necessary forms for personal details and collateral.”
Online funding options offer quick and easy processes
One of the biggest struggles Misha faced was the constant back and forth to the nearest branch of a bank in home country. She was ready with the necessary collateral and was in a hurry to sort out an education loan to confirm her spot at the University of Wisconsin’s School of Business and secure her F-1 study visa for the United States.
As with Misha, if you’re working with a bank or other financial institution based in your home country, you should plan on a few trips to the local branch to finalise your paperwork, even if you begin the process online.
Repeat visits to their local bank wasn’t the reason Misha and Sudhir turned toProdigy Finance for a loan - it was because they simply couldn’t move the process forward, no matter how many visits they made.
Once they stumbled on Prodigy Finance, Sudhir and Misha were pleased to find it wasn’t just a quick and easy online application; there was also a difference in the requirements needed to take a loan. Misha was able to secure the loan on her own - and didn’t need to leverage the flat as collateral.
You too may also find there’s a difference in the paperwork required by traditional lenders and online providers. You may need to source documents you may not have dealt with in the past, such as a credit report. But, you’re also less likely to need information on your family’s finances.
Ultimately, the online process, which doesn’t involve shifting hard copies of paperwork or dealing with other types of financial products (such as savings accounts) is often speedier, which is a bonus for anyone needing to accept their admission to a school and submit their visa application in a hurry.
What is a credit report?
A credit report is simply an overview of your financial wellness and history. If you need more information on what a credit report is, how to get one in your country or why you need one in the first place, check out these guides:
International students have a few different options for study loans:
Home country loans
Pro: Work with trusted providers
Challenges:
May need collateral or co-signers.
Will need to convert currency.
May not secure the amount needed.
Host country loans
Pro: Available in the currency of study
Challenges:
Will need a co-signer in the host country.
Repayment may be difficult if you return home after graduation.
International online loans
Pro: Quick, easy, cross-border lending
Challenge:
New, different way of banking
While working with online lenders may be unusual for borrowers from some parts of the world, it’s become increasingly normal in others. And, for those that undertake online loans - even when skeptical at first - it’s often the best solution for their studies.
Sometimes, it’s the only option.
Commitment-free quotes for education loans
Apply before admission
While it may not apply to all online lenders, with Prodigy Finance you can apply for a loan before you’ve been accepted. You can see how much you’ll qualify for and begin planning your finances well in advance.
Impact-free credit checks
There are 2 types of credit report inquiries: those that may negatively impact your credit score and report, and those that don’t. Prodigy Finance loan inquiries don’t impact your score. Learn more about that here.
Compare loan offers
The best financial decisions are made when you’ve looked at every option. Even if you go with another loan, a commitment-free quote from and online loan provider can only help you make the right choice.
No need to sacrifice customer service
"I’ve appreciated the role of Prodigy Finance in helping my daughter realise her dream of doing an MBA from the famed Wisconsin Business School in the US by granting her a hassle-free loan within a very short period. This was in contrast to the non-cooperative attitude of local banks and large lenders."
At Prodigy Finance, you’ll also find we make ourselves available for more than just financial queries.
- Our loan letters (called sanction letters in some countries) are issued swiftly as we know how critical they are to providing your school with proof of funding, not to mention the embassy or consulate where you apply for your visa.
- Speaking of visas, we provide complete guides to our borrowers to assist them through the process.
- Prodigy Finance also assists with phone plans and finding accommodation by linking you to great deals through our partners - each chosen for their understanding of the difficulty international students face.
And, you’ll be happy to know that Misha has accepted her Prodigy Finance offer and will soon have her MBA from her dream school. You might be the next.
Want to know more about Prodigy Finance loans?
Once you've gotten into your dream school, we'd love to help you out.
Get your overseas education funded. Get a loan quote under 20 mins today!
