Compiled 10 August 2026 from public reporting on the scheme. Interest rates, limits and process steps are set by government notification and can change. Confirm current terms on the official portal or at your DRCC before signing anything.
The Bihar Student Credit Card is the state's main instrument for funding higher education, and it is the most misunderstood scheme in Bihar. Let us start with the misunderstanding.
It is a loan, not a scholarship
You will find the BSCC described across the internet as an interest-free ₹4 lakh grant. It is neither interest-free nor a grant.
- It is an education loan, which you repay.
- Reported simple interest is 4% for general students, and 1% for women, differently abled and transgender students.
The "interest-free" description appears to come from how interest is handled during the moratorium period. That is a real benefit — but it is not the same as owing nothing.
This distinction is not pedantic. Families in Saharsa, Madhepura and Supaul have taken this loan believing it was a scholarship, and discovered the repayment obligation years later. Go in knowing what it is.
Quick facts
| Scheme | Bihar Student Credit Card (BSCC), under 7 Nishchay |
|---|---|
| Implemented by | Bihar State Education Finance Corporation (BSEFC) |
| Launched | 2 October 2016 |
| Loan limit | Up to ₹4,00,000 |
| Interest (reported) | 4% simple · 1% for women, differently abled, transgender students |
| Eligibility | Bihar resident, class 12 passed, admission secured, age up to 25 |
| Verification | In person at your district DRCC |
| Repayment | Up to 84 monthly instalments after moratorium |
| Helpline | 1800 3456 444 |
Who can apply
- Permanent resident of Bihar.
- Passed class 12 or equivalent.
- Secured admission to a recognised higher education institution.
- Maximum age 25 at the time of application.
The age ceiling ends more applications than any other condition. If you took a gap after intermediate — common in this division, where students often work before continuing — check your age against the limit before you plan around this scheme.
What courses and costs are covered
The scheme covers professional, technical, vocational, medical, engineering, management, law and approved general degree courses at recognised institutions.
The loan can be applied to tuition fees, hostel charges, books, examination fees, study materials, and in some cases a laptop.
How to apply
- Register on the 7 Nishchay Yuva Upmission portal and complete the online application.
- You are allotted a DRCC — District Registration cum Counselling Centre.
- Visit the DRCC in person with your documents for verification. This step cannot be done online.
- Documents are checked and the application is forwarded.
- On sanction, funds are released to the institution and to you as per the scheme's disbursal rules.
Repayment — read this before you sign
- Moratorium — repayment begins one year after course completion, or six months after you get a job, whichever comes first.
- Tenure — up to 84 monthly instalments, that is seven years, after the moratorium ends.
Note the "whichever is earlier". Students frequently plan around the one-year figure and are surprised when employment triggers repayment sooner.
Work out the monthly instalment against a realistic starting salary in your field before you borrow the full ₹4 lakh. Borrowing what you need is not the same as borrowing what you are offered.
BSCC or a scholarship — which should you use?
Where you qualify for both, the ordering is straightforward:
- Claim scholarships first. Post Matric Scholarship and Kanya Utthan Yojana are money you do not repay.
- Use BSCC for the gap that scholarships do not cover.
Because BSCC is a loan rather than a scholarship, it is generally treated differently from the parallel-scholarship bar under PMS — but confirm your specific combination with your institution before assuming, since the consequence of getting it wrong is rejection of your scholarship.
Compare all Bihar student schemes →
Frequently asked questions
Is the Bihar Student Credit Card interest-free?
No. Reported simple interest is 4% for general students and 1% for women, differently abled and transgender students. The widespread "interest-free" description comes from how interest is treated during the moratorium, but the loan is repayable.
How much can I get under BSCC?
Up to ₹4,00,000 for an approved course at a recognised institution, usable for tuition, hostel charges, books, examination fees and study materials.
Can I apply entirely online?
No. The application starts online through the 7 Nishchay Yuva Upmission portal, but verification requires an in-person visit to your allotted District Registration cum Counselling Centre.
What is the age limit for Bihar Student Credit Card?
The maximum age reported is 25 at the time of application. This is the condition that disqualifies the largest number of applicants who took a gap after class 12.
When do I have to start repaying?
Repayment begins one year after course completion or six months after getting a job, whichever is earlier, and runs for up to 84 monthly instalments.
The bottom line
The BSCC is a genuinely cheap way to fund a professional course, and for many students in this division it is the only way. But borrow it with clear eyes: claim every scholarship you qualify for first, borrow only the gap, and know what your instalment will be before you sign.
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