Key takeaways
- Personal loans offer flexible funding for a wide range of needs. They can help cover emergency expenses, consolidate debt, or fund major purchases.
- Prequalifying with multiple lenders lets you compare rates and terms without damaging your credit.
- Adding a cosigner or offering collateral can improve your chances of approval and help you secure better loan terms.
A bad credit personal loan can get you out of a tight spot when you need extra funds. You can use them for anything, from surprise medical bills and debt consolidation to unexpected travel or funeral expenses. Lenders generally send the money directly to your bank account within one to three business days. Some even offer same-day approval.
While many lenders cater to borrowers with scores below 600, you shouldn’t expect the best rates. Lenders tend to set higher interest rates and limit loan amounts for borrowers with poor scores. Always compare options before borrowing and be cautious of predatory lenders.
What are personal loans?
Personal loans give you a lump sum of money to use for almost anything you need. They are typically installment loans with fixed interest rates that you repay over two to seven years. The fixed interest rates mean your monthly payments remain consistent throughout the loan term.
Most personal loans are unsecured. They do not require collateral, such as your vehicle or property.
While no set limit exists on how many personal loans you can have at once, you should only have one at a time. The more loans you have, the harder it is to repay what you owe.
What are personal loans used for?
You can use personal loans for just about anything. Many borrowers turn to bad credit personal loans for $5,000 to cover unexpected medical bills, emergency expenses, or home repairs.
The most common uses are:
Debt consolidation: You take out a new loan to consolidate high-interest debts into a single monthly payment, ideally with a lower interest rate. Consolidating debt can be a good way to simplify payments, avoid late fees, and save money. Investopedia found that debt consolidation is the number one reason people take out personal loans.
Home improvements: Personal loans can help cover various home repairs that will increase the value of your property. They can be preferable since you don’t have to use your home as collateral, like with home equity loans.
Large purchases: The extra money can cover planned and unexpected major expenses. You can use it for medical expenses, car repairs, moving costs, vacations, etc.
Whether for debt consolidation, medical bills, or emergency travel, $2,000 bad credit loans with guaranteed approval can help when savings fall short. Be cautious – some lenders advertising personal loans for bad credit guaranteed approval online may have hidden fees or sky-high interest rates.
While personal loans are inherently flexible, there are certain restrictions on their use. Typically, they cannot be used for investments such as purchasing stocks or real estate. Nor can they be used for education or business expenses. You also cannot use them to put a down payment on a home. If you’re looking to finance a car, you’re better off taking out an auto loan.
How to get a personal loan with bad credit
Getting a personal loan with poor credit can be an uphill battle, but it’s doable. Understanding how to qualify for a personal loan is the first step toward securing the funds you need.
Here’s how to navigate the process and secure quick personal loans for bad credit.
Check your credit
Start by reviewing your credit report and score. Knowing your score prevents you from applying for loans you don’t qualify for.
You can request one free credit report per year from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion through annualcreditreport.com. Look over the reports and dispute any errors dragging your score down.
If your score is lower, you may want to consider personal loan lenders for bad credit. These lenders look beyond your credit score, factoring in your income and employment history.
Need a little extra cash?
Compare loan lenders for bad credit
The next step is to look for reputable lenders with a low minimum credit score requirement. The ideal lender will offer a sufficient loan amount, fast funding, and affordable repayment terms.
Focus on lenders that let you compare personal loan rates. Comparing rates will help you get the lowest annual percentage rate (APR) possible and avoid hidden fees.
Prequalify for a personal loan
Before applying, try to prequalify for a personal loan with bad credit. Personal loan prequalification allows you to view your potential rates and eligibility without impacting your credit score.
Lenders will do a soft credit inquiry. You’ll receive a snapshot of potential monthly payments, interest rates, fees, repayment terms, and other charges. Then, you can compare offers and select the best one for you.
Applying for personal loans with bad credit
Once you’ve decided on the type of loan, lender, and are prequalified, you can formally apply.
Gather necessary financial documents:
- Proof of identity (driver’s license, passport, military ID, state-issued ID)
- Verify address (utility bills, lease agreements, bank statements)
- Proof of income (recent pay stubs, W2 form, tax returns)
- Employment verification (employment letters, contact information for your employer)
- Additional financial information (debts, assets, and other sources of income)
Lenders use this information to verify your identity and assess your ability to repay the loan.
Submit your application. Double-check that everything is correct to reduce delays. Lenders tend to make a decision within a few hours to three business days.
Once approved, you’ll need to read and sign the loan agreement. The lender will then send funds directly to your bank account.
One way to increase your chances of approval is to consider personal loans for bad credit with a cosigner. A cosigner with good credit can help you qualify for better rates and terms since the lender views the loan as less risky. Just make sure your cosigner understands they’re equally responsible for repayment.
Pros and cons of personal loans for bad credit
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Use the funds for almost anything
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Fixed interest rates make budgeting predictable
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Amounts range from $500 to $50,000
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Receive the money in one lump sum
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Lower APRs than credit cards
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Same-day or next-day funding
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Unsecured loans that don’t require collateral
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Long repayment period of 2-7 years
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You cannot use it for business or school expenses
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Need good to excellent credit for a low APR
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Borrowers with fair or bad credit may receive a high APR
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Missed or late payments will hurt your credit score
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Additional fees like an origination fee or a prepayment penalty
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Potential hidden fees
Where can I get a personal loan with bad credit?
If you have poor credit, you still have multiple options for securing a personal loan.
Online lenders are often the go-to source for the best bad credit loans. These lenders offer quick approvals, flexible terms, and lenient requirements. Many lenders even offer a personal line of credit for bad credit. A line of credit provides you with ongoing access to funds as needed, like a credit card.
Credit unions are member-owned organizations that offer loans with more lenient requirements. Look into federal credit unions that cap interest rates at an 18% APR.
Community banks may be an option if you have a relationship with them. They may place more emphasis on your banking history than your credit score.
Searching for fast cash?
Best same-day personal loans
There are plenty of bad credit loan options. The best personal loans for people with bad credit come with minimal fees, a low interest rate, and a reasonable repayment term.
Cash advance app
Cash advance apps offer small loans you can access directly from your smartphone. You link your bank account, and the app determines how much to lend based on your transaction history. They usually do not charge interest but may require a tip or subscription fee.
Cash advances can be helpful for short-term needs without affecting your credit. You typically must pay them back in full within 14 days, but many apps allow you to change the due date if necessary.
Emergency loans
Emergency personal loans for bad credit can be a lifeline. These loans come with fast funding and minimal requirements. The catch is that most emergency loans for bad credit have high interest rates.
No credit check loans
Marketers often promote loans with no credit check to people with poor scores. These loans typically carry high interest rates and short repayment terms. Before taking out a no-credit-check loan, make sure you can repay it.
Payday alternative loan
Some federal credit unions offer Payday Alternative Loans (PALs) as a lower-cost alternative to traditional payday loans. PALs offer lower fees, longer repayment periods, and competitive interest rates capped at 28%. To qualify, borrowers must be credit union members for at least one month and provide proof of income.
Pawnshop loan
Pawnshop loans provide cash by using a personal item as collateral. They do not affect your credit score, as there is no hard inquiry, and the lender doesn’t report to the credit bureaus. Once again, the interest rates can be high, and the repayment term is short, at 30 days. Failure to repay may result in losing your pawned item.
Car title loan
Car title loans use your vehicle’s title as collateral. You’ll typically receive 25% to 50% of your vehicle’s appraised worth and can continue driving your car. The downside is that they are short-term loans with APRs in the triple digits. You must repay the money within 30 days or risk losing your vehicle.
Frequently asked questions
1. Are personal loans bad for credit?
Personal loans are not inherently bad for your credit. In fact, they can help improve it. Make payments on time every month, and your score should improve. Adding a personal loan can also help diversify your credit profile if you’ve only used credit cards.
2. What is a good credit score for a personal loan?
A good score for a personal loan is anything above 670. You can get a loan with a 500 credit score, though your options will be limited. Having a stable income, a low debt-to-income ratio, or adding a cosigner can improve your chances.
3. Is lending for bad credit legit?
Many lending options for bad credit are legitimate. Predatory lenders and scams do exist. Avoid lenders that guarantee approval, ask for upfront fees, or pressure you to act immediately. Always check for licensing and read customer reviews before applying to ensure you work with a trusted source.
4. What is the best reason to give when applying for a personal loan?
There isn’t a single best reason to take out a personal loan. Lenders want to know that the loan will be used responsibly and for something they allow. Common reasons include consolidating debt, covering emergency expenses, or financing home repairs.
5. How can I borrow money with bad credit?
To borrow money with bad credit, look for lenders with low or no minimum credit score requirement. Consider applying with a cosigner or opting for a secured loan to boost approval chances.
6. What is the easiest loan to get with bad credit?
The easiest loans to obtain with bad credit are those that don’t require a hard inquiry. Many of these loans come with high fees and are risky. A better option is to look into borrowing from online lenders or credit unions.
Bottom line
Personal loans are incredibly useful in a pinch. They can help you pay off high-interest debt, cover a major purchase, or cover an emergency. If you don’t have good credit, don’t despair; you can still borrow money. You may receive less-than-ideal terms, so compare offers and only borrow what you can afford to repay.
Better yet, wait to borrow until you’ve improved your credit score and paid down your existing debts. A higher score and lower debt-to-income ratio will increase your approval odds. You’ll get more offers with favorable terms and potentially save thousands.
Whichever option you choose, ensure the loan aligns with your financial goals.