Bihar Student Credit Card Scheme (BSCCS) – Guidelines

The Government of Bihar is committed to increasing the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in higher education to 30%, in line with the national average. To achieve this goal, especially for economically weaker students, the Student Credit Card Scheme was launched under the 7 Nischay Yojana (2015–20). This initiative provides financial assistance to students who wish to pursue higher education.

Objective

To ensure students from Bihar who have passed Class 12 (or Class 10 for polytechnic courses) can access higher education through financial support via education loans.

Key Features

1. Eligibility

• Permanent residents of Bihar.
• Must have passed Class 12 (or Class 10 for polytechnic applicants).
• Admission in a recognized institution in Bihar or other states.
• Age should not exceed 25 years (30 years for postgraduate programs).

2. Loan Coverage

• Loan amount up to ₹4,00,000.
• Covers tuition fees, accommodation, living expenses, books, etc.
• Simple interest at 4%; 1% for women, differently abled, and transgender students.

3. Moratorium Period

• Interest-free for 1 year after course completion or 6 months after employment (whichever is earlier).
• Repayment period: 60 months for loans up to ₹2 lakh; 84 months for loans above ₹2 lakh.

4. Application Process

• Online application via portal or mobile app.
• Document submission and verification at District Registration and Counselling Centre (DRCC).
• Multi-level scrutiny, including Third-Party Verification Agency (TPVA).
• Final loan sanction and disbursal through Bihar State Education Finance Corporation.

5. Required Documents

• ID proof
• Academic records
• Admission proof
• Bank account details
• Income proof
• Address proof

6. Repayment Terms

• Repayment starts after the moratorium period.
• If employment or income is not achieved, repayment may be deferred with an affidavit.

7. Support System

• Help desks available at DRCCs.
• State-level call centres for grievance redressal and guidance.