Life After Defaulting On Your Education Loan

Education loans offer a getaway for students who intend to continue their studies when personal finances fall short. These loans, however, also create long-term financial obligations. With increased access to loans, students at times borrow more than what they could repay.

When students default on their education loans, the consequences are far-reaching and last long after they have difficulty repaying their loans. A negative credit history can make it difficult later in life to achieve other milestones such as purchasing a home. Many young working adults struggle to recover from the negative consequences that their poor repayment decisions created. It may take many years to move past limited financial mobility and achieve independence.

Treating loans as obligations and maintaining repayment hygiene, and seeking timely financial counseling can help students gradually restore their creditworthiness. Even in cases of distress, prioritising full repayment over settlements can significantly improve long-term financial prospects.

To discuss the topic, The Hindu will host a webinar, ‘Life after defaulting on your education loan’, on April 25, 2026. Register now for free to ask questions and interact with the panellists. The three best questions will receive a free online subscription to The Hindu.

Panellists

Kumaran Vajiravelu, Banking professional

A banking professional with over 30 years of experience across diverse areas of the financial services sector, Mr. Vajiravelu holds a Ph.D. in Risk Management from the University of Madras. Throughout his career, he has developed knowledge in risk management, regulatory compliance, and customer grievance handling. He has consistently worked to align business operations with evolving banking regulations, ensuring both compliance and efficiency. His core strength lies in retail asset delinquency management and fraud risk management, where he has led initiatives to control credit risk, improve recovery strategies, and maintain healthy portfolio performance.

Aditya Bhargava, Director, Kingspire

Aditya Bhargava is the Director at Kingspire. He started his entrepreneurial journey in 2010 by working on the family business of Sheet metal fabrication but found his true calling in 2015 when he started Kingspire with the aim to empower every learner in India to communicate confidently, clearly, and authentically in English — not as a foreign language, but as a bridge to opportunity, collaboration, and self-expression. Through innovative learning models, AI-powered feedback, immersive content, and partnerships with educational institutions and corporates, he aims to make a range of communication and technical skills accessible to every Indian, regardless of background or geography.

(For any feedback or suggestions, reach out to us at education@thehindu.co.in)

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