Stories
How to Master Financial Planning for Studying Abroad Amid Currency Shifts
C
CNBC TV18•07-10-2026, 17:38
How to Master Financial Planning for Studying Abroad Amid Currency Shifts
- •Experts recommend keeping a separate contingency cushion of 10% to 20% of the unfunded cost to account for currency depreciation and annual tuition fee hikes.
- •Families should self-fund about 30% to 60% of the degree and cap education loan EMIs at 15% to 20% of the graduate's realistic starting salary.
- •Never borrow against unconfirmed scholarships; treat financial aid as a bonus only after receiving it in writing.
- •Model worst-case scenarios including a delayed job hunt abroad or returning to India with a lower-paying position before finalizing loans.
- •Consider 2+2 pathway programs to complete initial years locally, potentially cutting total education expenses by 35% to 50%.
Key Questions Answered
Experts recommend holding a separate contingency cushion of 10% to 20% of the projected unfunded cost to handle currency fluctuations and fee hikes.
Experts suggest self-funding roughly 30% to 60% of the cost and borrowing the remainder, while ensuring loan EMIs stay within 15% to 20% of the graduate's realistic take-home pay.
A 2+2 pathway, such as spending two years in India and two years in France, keeps the early years at home and can cut the total financial outlay by 35% to 50%.
