Indian students are a key international student demographic at higher education institutions across the world, particularly in popular study destinations such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the U.K. and the U.S. But Indian students studying overseas often find making payments for their education stressful. In fact, recent research commissioned by Flywire found that 85% of Indian students felt that the payment process was a significant stressor for them or their families.
Consultants at Kerala-based education agent, Salve Maria, know this only too well. Each year Salve Maria consultants recruit thousands of Indian students for colleges and universities across the globe. These consultants also provide students with guidance and support from start to finish—shortlisting and application through to enrollment.
About Salve Maria
Payments are a critical, but tricky, element of the support students have come to expect from education agents. There are different requirements and processes both at a national and institutional level, and consultants are expected to be experts in them all.
Salve Maria found that, while their consultants provided students with advice on the best way to pay their tuition fees, they had no visibility into the progress of the payment. Without this information, it was more difficult for them to troubleshoot for a student experiencing an issue with their application due to a failed or delayed payment.
Most students already find making education-related payments stressful, but when key stages of the process—college application, visa application or enrollment—are dependent on successful payment and timely receipt of funds, it can magnify that stress significantly.
Solution: Competitive rates, trackable payments and around-the-clock support
Since 2020, Salve Maria has used the Flywire Agent Platform to support Indian students with making their tuition fee payments or funding their Canadian GIC accounts.
Flywire was already the recommended payment partner of many Salve Maria clients. This, and Flywire’s excellent reputation in the higher education industry, meant the decision to use Flywire’s Agent Platform was an easy one to make.
With Flywire, they now have a single, reliable and trusted payment platform which offers convenient local payment methods, a fully online experience and competitive rates with no unexpected fees. Salve Maria consultants can easily use a dashboard to track payments and refunds, download payment receipts and, should there be an issue, access support of Flywire’s in-country agent team.
“Sending GIC payments via Flywire's Agents Platform is very easy, and it has been a great experience since the beginning. In addition to competitive rates and a fully online process for students, Flywire also has a dedicated agent support team on hand to provide local, friendly support," says Boby Sebastian, Founder & CEO, Salve Maria.
Since Salve Maria implemented the Flywire Agent Platform their consultants, and students, have saved time and money while also reducing stress. Consultants are receiving less inquiries on the status of payments because students are updated automatically, every step of the way. Overall, the platform has enhanced the level of support and guidance Salve Maria consultants are able to offer students regardless of where they are located or wish to study.
Results
With Flywire, international payments are easier, faster, more transparent and cost effective for payers. For us, the ability to track and manage student payments means we are able to provide students better support and guidance throughout the entire payment process.