Student Credit Card Scheme

West Bengal Student Credit Card Scheme offers collateral-free education loans of up to ₹10,00,000 at a low 4% simple annual interest rate so students can continue higher studies without money problems. The Higher Education Department of the West Bengal government runs this scheme for students studying in India or abroad.

This is a universal scheme that stays open throughout the year. Students can apply at any stage of their course, from secondary school up to post-doctoral research, and the loan covers professional degrees, vocational courses, and coaching for competitive exams like Engineering, Medical, Law, IAS, IPS, and WBCS.

Student Credit Card Scheme - Introduction

West Bengal Student Credit Card Scheme, launched by the Higher Education Department, helps students pursue their academic goals without the stress of financial hurdles. It supports secondary, higher secondary, madrasah, undergraduate, and postgraduate studies, including professional degrees and similar courses both within and outside India.

The loan can also be used to fund studies at coaching institutions for competitive exams. Repayment terms are easy, with the repayment period extending up to 15 years, and the scheme covers vocational courses to encourage skill development.

Key Information

Benefits

This scheme gives complete financial support for the education journey. The loan is collateral-free, so there is no need to pledge any property or asset as security.

Loan Highlights:

• The loan can be accessed at any stage of the course, so students are not tied to a fixed application window.
• Parents or legal guardians must be co-applicants, and their co-obligation acts as the security in place of any collateral.
• Loan terms are formalized through a clear agreement between the student, parents, and the bank.
• Life insurance cover equal to the loan amount is provided, with the premium debited from the loan account.

Eligibility

To get the benefit of the Student Credit Card Scheme, applicants must meet the following criteria:

1. The applicant should be an Indian citizen and a resident of West Bengal for at least 10 years.
2. The applicant must be 40 years of age or younger at the time of application.
3. The applicant should be enrolled in a recognized institution, such as a school, college, university, or coaching center, for higher education or competitive exam preparation.

Example: If Rahul is 22 years old and enrolled in an engineering course in Bangalore, he is eligible provided he has lived in West Bengal for the past decade.

Note: A progress report should be uploaded after the completion of each semester or academic year.

Application Process

Follow these steps to apply online for the West Bengal Student Credit Card Scheme:

STEP 1 - Visit the official website and click on the Student Credit Card option.

STEP 2 - Register as a new student and choose either "institutions in India" or "institutions outside India" based on where you are studying.

STEP 3 - Complete the registration form to generate a unique user ID and password.

STEP 4 - Log in to the account using these credentials.

STEP 5 - Fill in personal details, parent or co-borrower information, address, course details, and bank information in the applicant dashboard.

STEP 6 - Upload all the required documents in the specified format.

STEP 7 - Review everything carefully and submit the application.

Documents

Keep the following documents ready in the specified formats for the application:

1. Recent color photograph of the applicant and co-borrower (.jpeg/.jpg, 20 KB to 50 KB).
2. Scanned signature of the applicant and co-borrower (.jpeg/.jpg, 10 KB to 50 KB).
3. Aadhaar card (.pdf, 50 KB to 400 KB).
4. Age proof document (.pdf, 50 KB to 400 KB).
5. Address proof of the co-borrower (.pdf, 50 KB to 400 KB).
6. Admission receipt from the institution (.pdf, 50 KB to 400 KB).
7. PAN card of both the applicant and guardian, or an undertaking if there is no PAN card (.pdf, 50 KB to 400 KB).
8. Course prospectus or a certificate from the institution detailing costs like fees and hostel charges (.pdf, 50 KB to 400 KB).
9. Marksheet of the last qualifying examination (.pdf, 50 KB to 400 KB).

For any query or difficulty, contact the State Help Line at 18001028014 or send a mail to support-wbscc@bangla.gov.in. The WBSCC mobile app can also be downloaded from the Google Play Store.

References

Guidelines | FAQ | Official Website

FAQ's

What is the maximum loan amount available under this scheme?

A maximum loan of ₹10,00,000 is available at a 4% simple annual interest rate.

Where will the institution fees be sent?

Fees for the institution, including tuition, are remitted directly to the bank account of the college or university.

Where will the living expense funds be sent?

Non-institutional expenses and living costs are remitted directly to the registered bank account of the student.

Is there an age limit for applicants?

Yes, applicants must be 40 years of age or younger when applying.

Are students in integrated courses eligible?

Yes, students pursuing integrated UG/PG courses can apply.

Can research scholars apply for this scheme?

Yes, research scholars, associates, and those pursuing post-doctoral research are eligible.

Can I apply at any time?

Yes, the application can be made at any point during the course duration.

How do I access the application page?

The portal can be accessed via https://wbscc.wb.gov.in.

Are black and white photographs accepted?

No, a color photograph must be uploaded.

Can I use this loan for institutions outside India?

Yes, the scheme covers both Indian and foreign educational institutions.