How working professionals manage EMIs while studying abroad

Leaving a steady salary to study abroad is exciting, but it can also feel unsettling. One of the most common concerns working professionals raise is straightforward and valid:

How do I manage EMIs when I’m no longer earning full-time?

The answer is usually more practical than it sounds. With the right loan structure and realistic planning, most professionals are not dealing with full EMIs during their course. This guide explains how EMIs typically work while studying abroad, what to plan for before leaving your job, and how to stay financially steady during your degree.

First, let’s clear up a common misunderstanding

Many professionals assume they’ll need to start full loan repayments as soon as their course begins.

That’s usually not the case.

With international student loans designed for postgraduate study, full repayments begin after your grace period (regular).* The grace period starts after your course is complete and is designed to give you time to transition into employment.

During your studies, however, you should still expect USD $100 per month in-school payments as part of the standard loan structure.*

How EMIs usually work while you’re studying abroad

During your course

• You focus on your studies, internships and job preparation

• USD $100 per month in-school payments apply*

• Interest may accrue, depending on the loan structure*

During the grace period

• The grace period begins after your programme ends

• This window is designed to support your transition into work

• Full monthly repayments have not started yet*

After the grace period

• Full repayments begin 6 months after your course is complete*

• By this stage, most graduates are employed or actively earning

This structure is why understanding repayment timing early matters. It avoids pressure during your studies and aligns responsibility with earning capacity.

How working professionals plan financially before leaving their job

Professionals who manage EMIs smoothly tend to prepare before they resign.

1. They build a short-term buffer

Many professionals save enough to cover:

• Initial living expenses abroad

• Emergency costs

• Visa and relocation expenses

This buffer reduces stress and avoids reliance on short-term or high-cost borrowing.

2. They understand exactly when repayments change

Knowing that only in-school payments apply during study, and that full repayments begin after the grace period*, helps professionals plan cash flow realistically.

This allows focus on:

• Academic performance

• Internships or permitted part-time opportunities

• Networking and job preparation

3. They avoid over-borrowing

Borrowing only what you need keeps future EMIs manageable.*

This usually means accounting for:

• Tuition plus realistic living costs

• Any savings or scholarships*

• Exchange rate fluctuations

Managing expenses while studying, without a full salary

Even without full EMIs during your course, budgeting still matters.

Working professionals often manage costs by:

• Choosing student-friendly accommodation

• Tracking monthly spending closely

• Prioritising essentials over lifestyle upgrades

• Using student discounts where available

Some students also take up internships, assistantships or campus roles where visa rules allow. These earnings typically support day-to-day expenses rather than loan repayments.

How professionals prepare for EMIs after graduation

Strong planning happens well before the grace period ends.

1. Job search starts early

Most professionals begin:

• Networking in the first term

• Applying for internships early

• Engaging with career services and alumni

This reduces the gap between graduation and employment.

2. EMIs are planned around expected income

Rather than focusing on best-case outcomes, many graduates:

• Estimate conservative post-study income

• Compare expected EMIs against essential expenses*

• Leave room for savings and emergencies

This keeps repayments sustainable over time.

3. They treat EMIs as part of a long-term plan

International degrees are long-term investments. EMIs are structured over several years to balance career growth with financial responsibility.*

A realistic example of EMI planning in action

Consider a professional with five years of experience starting a master’s abroad:

• They leave a full-time role to study

• USD $100 per month in-school payments apply*

• Savings cover initial living costs

• A job is secured during or soon after the grace period

• Full repayments begin 6 months after the course is complete*

The loan supports the transition, rather than adding pressure at the most uncertain point.

Why loan structure matters more than EMI fear

The difference between a stressful experience and a manageable one often comes down to structure.

International student loans designed for postgraduate study aim to:

• Align repayments with earning timelines*

• Avoid heavy pressure during study*

• Support career progression rather than disrupt it*

Understanding this upfront removes much of the anxiety professionals associate with EMIs.

Final thoughts

Most working professionals don’t struggle with EMIs while studying abroad. They focus on managing the transition from professional life to student life and back again.

With realistic planning, clear expectations, and a loan designed for international study, EMIs become part of a longer journey, not an immediate burden.