How to Improve Your CIBIL Score for Foreign Education Loan
Study Abroad Loan Application Checklist

Your credit score tracks your ‘probability of default’, i.e. how likely you are to pay back a loan based on your financial patterns. This pattern is calculated based on your credit history from different lenders, credit card companies, collectors, etc. If you do not have such a score, your co-applicant’s CIBIL score may be checked by the lender instead. Let us learn about where your CIBIL score falls in the next section.
What Does your CIBIL Score Mean?
When you approach a lender for a foreign education loan, one of the first things they do is check your CIBIL score. This helps them understand your ability to manage debt and keep a consistent financial profile. We will see what each score range means in the table below.
- CIBIL Score Range - 0 , What it Indicates - A CIBIL score of 0 means that you have no credit history or that you are new to the credit system.
- CIBIL Score Range - 300-500 , What it Indicates - This range puts your CIBIL score in the ‘poor’ category, meaning that you need to thoroughly assess your financial records.
- CIBIL Score Range - 550-649 , What it Indicates - This range is ‘average’, which means that your chances of getting the loan approved are quite low but not impossible.
- CIBIL Score Range - 650-749 , What it Indicates - This is considered a ‘good’ range, usually preferred by lenders. It indicates good credit behavior in the past.
- CIBIL Score Range - 750-900 , What it Indicates - This is considered an ‘excellent’ credit range. You can easily obtain a foreign education loan from any lender with such a score.
It is important to note that your CIBIL score changes every 6 months to 1 year. So, depending on the timing of your University applications, your CIBIL score might improve if you just wait and follow some of the tips given in the upcoming section.
7 Tips to Improve your CIBIL Score Before Taking a Foreign Education Loan
- Pay the Bills on Time - Missing an EMI or credit card payment can affect your CIBIL score. To avoid doing that, you can set reminders to pay your bills on time. Many EMIs or bills also let you automate payments, meaning that the amount gets deducted on a set date each month. Being disciplined with your payment reflects well on your credit profile.
- Clear Existing Debt Before Applying for a Foreign Education Loan - Before you apply for a foreign education loan, try to pay off any existing loans. This helps you control your finances more easily, building a solid foundation for your upcoming education loan process. This also helps you save yourself from higher interest charges and stay in good financial condition.
- Use Credit Prudently - Limit your credit card usage to essentials and try not to apply for too many loans at once. Focus on repaying one loan at a time and then applying for another to keep your credit score stable. It is better to be careful with your loan applications as they majorly affect your CIBIL score.
- Keep a Mix of Credit with the Right Foreign Education Loan Type - You are more likely to get a foreign education loan if your CIBIL score shows that you can responsibly manage different credit portfolios. This means having a mixture of secured and unsecured loans in your profile or diversifying your credit across portfolios like credit cards, mortgages, and installments.
- Customize a Credit Limit According to Your Expenses - How much credit you use also impacts your CIBIL score. The less credit you use, the better your CIBIL score will be. So, it is prudent to apply for credit when needed and contact your lender to set a credit limit according to your expenditure.
- Make a Purchase on EMI to Build a Credit History - As we’ve discussed earlier in this article, paying your EMIs on time can help you improve your credit score. This is true for making large purchases with EMIs, as each payment proves your financial reliability and helps you build a favorable credit score over time.
- Keep Track of Your Credit Report - Make a habit of checking your CIBIL score once in six months. Sometimes, your credit report might have clerical or factual errors like incorrect updates on loan payments. These errors may contribute to your credit score appearing lower than it is. Getting those mistakes corrected is crucial to keep your credit score accurate.
To wrap up, proper planning and meticulous habits go a long way in keeping your credit score high. The top overseas education loan consultants also help you with every step of the application process, from evaluating your credit score to comparing foreign education loan interest rates for the best possible scheme. So, reach out to a trusted consultant today to start the process!
About the Creator
Riya Niar
I am dedicated professional counselor at ELAN Overseas Education Loan, specializing in assisting students with obtaining the best study abroad loan options. With a passion for helping students achieve their dreams of studying abroad.




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