INTRODUCTION Education plays a crucial role in shaping an individual’s future, and financial support is often a key factor in accessing quality education. To address this, Canara Bank organized a workshop on Education Loan on 31st January 2025 at Christian Group of Institutions. The event aimed to provide students with comprehensive knowledge about education loan schemes, their benefits, eligibility criteria, and the loan sanctioning process. OBJECTIVES OF THIS WORKSHOP

1. To educate students about the eligibility, documentation, and sanction process of Canara Bank’s education loan.
2. To introduce and explain the benefits of the ASPIRE savings account scheme for students.
3. To promote financial literacy and encourage smart financial planning among students.
4. To address common concerns regarding loan approvals, interest rates, and repayment options.
5. To enhance accessibility to higher education by simplifying the loan process and offering financial support.

KEY CONTENTS OF THIS WORKSHOP The programme featured a panel of distinguished officials from Canara Bank, who shared their expertise and provided detailed guidance on the education loan process:

• Anant Jalonha, Deputy General Manager and Regional Head, Canara Bank.
• Malla Vikram, Divisional Manager, Canara Bank.
• Rajan R, Divisional Manager, Canara Bank.
• Abhay Kumar, Assistant General Manager, Canara Bank
• Gunjan, Senior Manager, Canara Bank.

The dignitaries emphasized that students do not need to take long leaves from their academic schedules to apply for an education loan at Canara Bank. They assured that the loan application process is simple and hassle-free, provided that students complete their Know Your Customer (KYC) procedure and submit the necessary basic documents. The officials explained the step-by-step education loan sanction process, ensuring that students understood the bank’s eligibility criteria, required documentation, loan disbursement process, and repayment options. They also addressed common concerns related to loan approvals, interest rates, and repayment flexibility, making the process more transparent for aspiring students. Additionally, the officials introduced ASPIRE, a newly launched savings account scheme designed specifically for students aged 17 to 28 years, offering a range of exclusive benefits. Under this scheme, students can open a zero-balance account, ensuring ease of banking without the burden of maintaining a minimum balance. The scheme also provides free access to online learning, with a Coursera certificate course available to students maintaining a Quarterly Average Balance (QAB) of ₹5,000, and an additional free course for those maintaining a QAB above ₹25,000. Furthermore, students who maintain a QAB of ₹5,000 are eligible for a 0.50% concession on the interest rate for fresh education loans, in addition to any existing concessions. Other exclusive benefits include discounts on Amazon, Swiggy One, BookMyShow, Gaana, and complimentary airport lounge access, making the scheme highly attractive for students. CONCLUSION The event reinforced the fact that education loans can bridge the gap between financial limitations and academic aspirations, ensuring that students do not have to compromise on quality education due to financial constraints. Moving forward, students and parents are encouraged to explore these offerings and plan their financial journey effectively. Canara Bank’s proactive approach indicates a positive shift in student-focused banking, and similar initiatives in the future could further enhance accessibility to education financing, helping more students achieve their academic and career goals.