Concessional educational loans can be easily availed by the handicapped children through National Handicapped Finance & Development Corporation (NHFDC). NHFDC has been set up by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Govt. of India. Its prime function is to channelise available funds to the disabled children through the State channelising Agencies (SCAs) that are nominated by respective State Govt. or through Non Govt. Organisations.
NHFDC has been taking necessary measures to provide educational loans to the mentally and physically retarded children at lower interest rates. Such concessional loans are expected to financially support them and hence specifically grant those who want to pursue professional education whether in India or abroad provided they meet the eligibility criteria.
Eligibility:
1. Should be an Indian citizen with 40% or more disability.
2. Parents/guardian should have a regular source of income with an annual income of about Rs. 5, 00,000 or less.
3. 50% aggregate marks.
Loan Amount:
1. Rs. 7.5 lakh for education in India
2. Rs.15 lakh for education abroad.
Rate of Interests:
1. Up to Rs. 50,000/- ; 5% p.a. (per annum)
2. From Rs. 50,000 to 5,00,000/- ; 6 % p.a.
3. More than Rs. 5,00,000/-; 8 % p.a.
4. Rebate of 1 % is available for woman beneficiaries.
Applying for the loan:
1. Contact Nationalised Banks like Punjab & Sind Bank (P&SB) & Oriental Bank of Commerce (OBC).
2. Submit application to the State Channelising Agency (SCA’s) in your state.
Educational loans above Rs 1.5 lakh will be sanctioned at NHFDC level and for loans up to Rs. 1.5 lakh will be sanctioned by SCA under delegated authority.
Loan repayment:
1. Should be repaid within 7 years after commencement of repayment.
2. Repayment date starts after 6 months from the scheduled course completion date or after joining the job whichever comes first.
3. Interest on loan will begin from the date of disbursement of loan.
4. The beneficiary should also submit a copy of his/her marks sheet to SCA for further submission to NHFDC.
So far 14 students have made use of the loans from NHFDC.
For more information contact:
National Handicapped Finance and Development Corporation
(Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment)
Red Cross Bhawan, Sector-12, Faridabad-121 007
Ph: (0129) 2280214, 2280335, 2264841, 2287512, 2287513, 2226910
TeleFax : (0129) - 2284371
E-mail : nhfdc@nda.vsnl.net.in
Website: www.Nhfdc.org