Student Loans from Students‘ Perspective – Research Results
Purpose: The aim of the article is to determine students‘ opinion regarding taking out student loans. The researchers attempted to provide answers to several important criteria such as household income and its significance as one of the factors taken into consideration during the loan application process, applicants‘ place of residence, how student loans are advertised and how to boost the popularity of this product. Approach / Methodology / Design: The sources were reports of the Ministry of Education and Science in 2019-2020, they included data on: the number of student loan applications, the number of student loans granted, the amount of tranches received, the number of students who benefited from a guarantee by BGK and ARMA and the share of selected banks for the purpose of taking a student loan. Additionally, a questionnaire survey was conducted among students of the Bydgoszcz University of Technology. Findings: The research has shown that the level of knowledge about student loans is low, and more than half of the respondents do not have knowledge of meeting the conditions for obtaining a student loan. The analysis allowed to define the factors that would induce a student to take out a student loan, such as: remittance of part or all of the loan, no additional fees for early repayment of the loan and the possibility of spending the funds on any purpose. Practical implications: The research showed a low level of knowledge about the possibility of taking a student loan, therefore it is suggested to increase promotional activity in this area. It is recommended to analyze student needs in terms of student loans. The article and its results hopefully will make students more aware of the possibilities offered by a student loan. Originality/value: The article is dedicated to students and financial institutions which offer student loans.