Why the country makes all the difference
How you pay for your studies depends first and foremost on the model each country has chosen. In the Nordic countries, a public agency lends directly to students and often combines a loan with a grant. In the United Kingdom or Australia, repayment is linked to what you earn after graduating. In France, Belgium and much of Africa, it is mainly banks that grant student loans, sometimes backed by a public guarantee.
Knowing these differences helps you avoid unpleasant surprises, especially if you plan to study outside your home country. The guides below set out, for each country, the public funding bodies, the main banks offering student loans, the guarantees usually requested and the official sources worth checking. We do not publish fixed rates: always confirm the current conditions with the organisations concerned before you apply.
Choose your country
Student loans in Algeria: how families really fund higher educationStudent loans in Algeria do not exist as a public scheme: the State supports students through the ONOU bursary, halls and subsidised meals. Extra needs, such as private…Student loans in Angola: financing university when no dedicated loan existsStudent loans in Angola are rare: there is no public student-lending agency and banks do not offer a dedicated education credit. Families combine INAGBE scholarships,…Student loans in ArgentinaThis page explains student loans in argentina from a student’s point of view, with attention to affordability, documents, lender checks and safer alternatives.Student loans in Australia: how HELP works and what international students can useAustralia funds most university tuition through HELP loans, government loans repaid through the tax system once your income passes a threshold. There is no bank…Student loans in Belgium: what to use before, and instead of, a bank loanStudent loans in Belgium are not a public scheme: the communities fund students through means-tested study allowances and low, regulated tuition. Banks such as KBC and…Student loans in Brazil: financing a private degree step by stepStudent loans in Brazil mainly pay private university fees, since public universities are tuition-free. Start with the ENEM, apply for a Prouni scholarship, then FIES,…Student loans in Cameroon: financing a degree at home or abroadStudent loans in Cameroon are mostly short school-fee credits granted by banks and microfinance institutions to working parents, not long-term loans to students…Student loans in Canada: how federal, provincial and bank funding fit togetherStudent loans in Canada come mainly from a joint federal–provincial system: you apply once to your home province or territory and receive a combined package of loans and…Student loans in Chile: from free tuition to the CAE and private creditStudent loans in Chile are the last layer of a system that begins with free tuition (gratuidad) and Mineduc scholarships, all accessed through the FUAS form. The…Student loans in ColombiaThis page explains student loans in colombia from a student’s point of view, with attention to affordability, documents, lender checks and safer alternatives.Student loans in Ivory Coast: how families pay for higher educationStudent loans in Ivory Coast are mainly short bank "prêts scolaires" taken out by a salaried parent and repaid over about a year. State scholarships come first,…Student loans in Dr congoThis page explains student loans in dr congo from a student’s point of view, with attention to affordability, documents, lender checks and safer alternatives.Student loans in EgyptThis page explains student loans in egypt from a student’s point of view, with attention to affordability, documents, lender checks and safer alternatives.Student loans in France: what French, EU and international students can actually getFrance offers one of the few student loans in Europe that needs no guarantor: the State-guaranteed loan of up to €20,000, sold by high-street banks. Whether you qualify…Student loans in India: how to choose the right education loanStudent loans in India are offered by banks such as SBI and Bank of Baroda and by NBFCs such as HDFC Credila and Avanse, within a government framework. Smaller loans…Student loans in IrelandThis page explains student loans in ireland from a student’s point of view, with attention to affordability, documents, lender checks and safer alternatives.Student loans in JordanThis page explains student loans in jordan from a student’s point of view, with attention to affordability, documents, lender checks and safer alternatives.Student loans in Luxembourg: how AideFi works and who can applyLuxembourg funds higher education through AideFi, the State’s financial aid scheme. It pairs non-repayable grants with an optional loan guaranteed by the State and…Student loans in Mexico: who lends, for what, and at what costThere is no national government student loan in Mexico, so families combine scholarships with credit from foundations, the FIDERH trust, universities and private finance…Student loans in Morocco: guaranteed bank credit, bursaries and study abroadStudent loans in Morocco are offered by the main banks, usually backed by the Tamwilcom public guarantee, to pay private tuition or a degree abroad, with a grace period…Student loans in Mozambique: financing fees when banks lend to salariesStudent loans in Mozambique are mostly consumer loans taken by a salaried parent or relative, since banks have almost no products for students without income.…Student loans in the Netherlands: how DUO funding and repayment workStudent loans in the Netherlands come almost entirely from DUO, the government agency that also pays the basic grant, supplementary grant and travel product. You choose…Student loans in New zealandThis page explains student loans in new zealand from a student’s point of view, with attention to affordability, documents, lender checks and safer alternatives.Student loans in Nigeria: a practical guide to NELFUND and the alternativesStudent loans in Nigeria are now available through NELFUND, an interest-free federal loan that pays institutional charges directly to public institutions and gives…Student loans in Norway: how Lånekassen turns a loan into a grantStudent loans in Norway are provided by Lånekassen, the state fund that pays students a monthly loan and converts up to 40 % of it into a grant when exams are passed. No…Student loans in Peru: from PRONABEC credit to private financingStudent loans in Peru centre on PRONABEC, the State programme that awards scholarships such as Beca 18 and grants preferential educational credit. Banks, municipal…Student loans in Portugal: comparing bank education credits and public aidStudent loans in Portugal are offered by banks such as Caixa Geral de Depósitos, BPI, Santander and novobanco, not by a state agency. Students should first apply for a…Student loans in QatarThis page explains student loans in qatar from a student’s point of view, with attention to affordability, documents, lender checks and safer alternatives.Student loans in Saudi Arabia: when you need one and where to applyStudent loans in Saudi Arabia mostly concern private universities, study abroad without a scholarship and living costs, because public universities are generally free…Student loans in Senegal: combining public grants with bank creditIn Senegal, higher education is funded first by public grants administered by the Direction des bourses, which do not have to be repaid. Bank credit comes second, mainly…Student loans in South Africa: funding the gap NSFAS leavesMost South African students should apply for NSFAS or a bursary before considering debt. Student loans in South Africa come mainly from banks and education lenders, and…Student loans in Spain: how to combine grants and a bank loanStudent loans in Spain are mainly bank products, such as Santander's study loans, ABANCA's Préstamo Estudia or LABORAL Kutxa's master's credit, because the state funds…Student loans in Sweden: the CSN system from application to repaymentStudent loans in Sweden come almost entirely from CSN, the state agency that pays students a weekly grant plus an optional loan, with no guarantor and no check on…Student loans in SwitzerlandThis page explains student loans in switzerland from a student’s point of view, with attention to affordability, documents, lender checks and safer alternatives.Student loans in Tunisia: the public university loan and other funding routesStudent loans in Tunisia take two main forms: the interest-free university loan paid by the regional Offices des Œuvres Universitaires to public-university students…Student loans in United arab emiratesThis page explains student loans in united arab emirates from a student’s point of view, with attention to affordability, documents, lender checks and safer alternatives.Student loans in the UK: how Student Finance works and who can borrowIn the UK, a student loan is first a public loan. Student Finance pays tuition fees directly to the university and lends a maintenance amount for living costs, and you…Student loans in the United States: how to borrow in the right orderStudent loans in the United States start with the FAFSA: it unlocks federal grants and Direct Loans with fixed rates and income-driven repayment. Private loans from… Public agencies, guarantees and repayment
Where a public agency exists, such as Lånekassen in Norway or CSN in Sweden, the loan is generally available without a guarantor and on terms set by law. Repayment starts after your studies and can usually be adjusted if your income is low. These systems are often reserved for residents or citizens, with specific rules for nationals of other European countries who come to study there.
In countries where banks dominate, your application carries much more weight: a parent acting as guarantor, having your income paid into the bank, the course you are taking. Public guarantees or university funds sometimes fill the gaps. Deferral periods, early repayment options and how financial hardship is handled vary widely, so read the contract carefully and compare several lenders before signing anything.
International students: what you need to know
International students often cannot access the host country's public loans, and local banks are reluctant to lend to someone with no credit history or income there. In that case you need to look to your home country, international scholarships, the universities themselves, or specialist lenders that finance mobile students on the basis of their programme and the institution they will attend.
Think about the practical side too: proof of funds required for a visa, the currency of the loan and exchange-rate risk, transferring money between countries and opening a local bank account. Start this paperwork several months ahead, ideally as soon as you receive your offer. Each country guide points out, where relevant, the options open to students from abroad and the bodies to contact first.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a student loan in a country where I am not a resident?
It is possible but harder. Public loans are often limited to residents or citizens, and local banks frequently ask for a guarantor based in the country. The most realistic routes are a loan from your home country, an international scholarship, support from your host university, or a lender that specialises in international student mobility.
Does repayment always depend on my income?
No. Income-contingent repayment exists in a few countries, such as the United Kingdom and Australia, but in most places a student loan is repaid in fixed monthly instalments, often after a deferral period. Check in your contract what happens if your income is low or if you go through a period of unemployment.
Are the interest rates in your guides up to date?
We deliberately avoid publishing precise rates, because they change regularly and depend on each borrower's profile. Our guides explain how student finance works in each country and point you to official bodies and lenders. Always ask for a personalised written offer and compare the total cost of borrowing before you commit.
