10,000+ Siberians become students with Sber subsidized loans

More than 10,000 residents of Siberian regions gained access to higher and secondary vocational education through state-backed lending at Sber (Sberbank) in 2025. This is nearly 30% more than the previous year.

The most frequent users of this financial tool for education are in Novosibirsk Oblast, which accounts for a quarter of all education loans issued in 2025. The highest average loan amount in Siberia — 151,000 rubles (approximately $1,800 at current rates) — is in Tomsk. The lowest average was recorded in Abakan — 97,000 rubles (approximately $1,100 at current rates).

The main users of education lending in Siberian regions are young people under 25, accounting for 85% of all loans issued in 2025. Women are more frequent users, making up 62% of borrowers.

After a state-backed education loan is issued, the bank first credits the amount to the client«s account and then transfers it to the educational institution — the funds cannot be withdrawn or spent. The total interest rate under the agreement is 21.95% per annum, of which the state subsidizes 18.95%. Thus, the borrower»s rate, given a full loan cost of 2.95% to 3.00%, is just 3% per year.* Additionally, under the program«s terms, during studies and for nine months after graduation, only interest payments are required — the principal is repaid over a period of up to 15 years.

To learn the full terms of the state-backed education loan, what documents are required for application, calculate payments, and check whether your university or college qualifies, Sber«s specially created chatbot is available.

* 3% per annum is the borrower«s interest rate, payable for the entire loan term. The total loan rate is 21.95% per annum. The difference between the total rate and the borrower»s rate is paid to the bank by the state. If the borrower is expelled from the educational institution, the loan must be repaid at the total rate.