Frequently Asked Questions

Our service connects you with lenders that consider fair and low credit: you send one free request, lenders in our network review it, and you decide whether to accept any offer you receive.

Are you a lender?

No. We are a free connection service. We do not make loans, credit decisions or set rates. Lenders in our network review your request and make their own decisions.

How much does it cost to use the service?

Nothing. You never pay us a fee. We are paid by lenders and partners, as explained in our advertiser disclosure.

What amounts can I request?

Requests from $500 to $5,000 are supported. The amount any lender offers depends on your income, debts, credit and state.

Do I have to accept an offer?

No. A request carries no obligation. You can read every offer and decline all of them.

Which states do you serve?

Lenders in our network serve most U.S. states, but not every lender serves every state and some states restrict certain loans. Availability is confirmed when lenders review your request.

What happens right after I submit a request?

Your details go to lenders in our network that may fit your amount, state and income. If one makes an offer, you will usually see it on screen or be contacted by that lender. Read the full terms before you agree to anything.

Can I request a loan with low credit more than once?

Yes, but give it time. If no lender made an offer, fixing the reason first, such as lowering card balances or asking for a smaller amount, gives a new request a better chance.

How long does the request take?

About five minutes for most people. Having your income details and bank information ready makes it faster.

Lenders that consider a loan with low credit look beyond the score at steady income, debt-to-income ratio, recent payment history, your bank account and your state, so a low score alone rarely decides the outcome.

What credit score do I need?

There is no single minimum. Some lenders publish floors around 560 to 600, branch lenders often review lower scores, and some lenders weigh income and bank history more than the score. See our eligibility page for details.

Will submitting a request hurt my credit?

The request itself does not lower your score. Lenders may use a soft check to review it. A hard inquiry usually happens only when you accept an offer and complete a lender's full application.

Can I get a loan with bad credit and no job?

Possibly, if you have other regular income such as benefits, a pension or support payments you can document. Lenders need to see that each payment can be made.

Are there really loans with no credit check?

Some lenders skip a traditional bureau check and use bank account or income data instead. Offers marketed as internet loans no credit check often carry much higher APRs, so compare them carefully.

Can I apply if I have a bankruptcy on my record?

An active bankruptcy usually blocks approval. After a discharge, some lenders will consider you, especially if your recent payment history is clean.

Can I add a co-borrower?

Some lenders allow a co-borrower or co-signer, which can improve approval odds and rates. Check each lender's policy when you review offers.

Cost depends on the APR, fees and term: mainstream lenders often quote fair and low credit between the high teens and 35.99% APR, small-loan specialists can charge far more, and every example on this site uses a representative 24% APR.

What APR should I expect?

With fair credit, many offers fall around 18% to 25%; with poor credit, often 27% to 36% at lenders that cap rates there. Our rates guide breaks this down by credit band.

What is the difference between APR and interest rate?

The interest rate is the cost of borrowing the principal. The APR adds required fees, such as an origination fee, so it is the better number for comparing personal loan offers.

Are there fees on these loans?

Some lenders charge an origination fee, often taken from the deposit, and most charge late or returned-payment fees. Every fee must appear in the lender's disclosure before you sign.

Is there a penalty for paying off early?

Most personal loan lenders do not charge one, but check the agreement. Paying early on a simple-interest loan usually saves interest.

How much will a $2,000 loan cost per month?

At a 24% APR, a $2,000 personal loan costs about $189.12 a month over 12 months or $105.74 a month over 24 months, before fees. Try other amounts with the personal loan calculator.

Are rates fixed or variable?

Most installment personal loans have fixed rates, so the payment stays the same for the whole term. Confirm this on the disclosure.

The right loan depends on the amount, how fast you need it and what it is for: a general personal loan suits most needs from $500 to $5,000, while consolidation, medical and childcare costs each have options worth checking first.

What is the difference between a personal loan and an installment loan?

A personal loan is usually an installment loan: you borrow a fixed amount and repay it in equal payments over a set term. "Installment loan" describes the repayment structure; "personal loan" describes the purpose. Our installment loans guide explains the details.

Should I use a loan to consolidate credit card debt?

It can help if the new APR is lower than your cards' average rate and you stop adding new balances. Compare the total cost of both paths first. See our debt consolidation loans page for a worked example.

Is a loan a good way to pay a medical bill?

Ask the provider about financial assistance or an interest-free payment plan first; many hospitals offer one. If a loan is still needed, our medical loans page shows typical payments.

Can I borrow for a daycare deposit or childcare costs?

Yes, childcare is a common personal loan purpose. A small amount repaid over a short term keeps interest low. See childcare loans for sizing ideas.

Is a secured loan better than an unsecured one?

A secured loan backed by a car or savings can bring a lower rate or higher approval odds, but you risk the asset if you miss payments. An unsecured personal loan has no collateral but may cost more.

How is this different from a loan due on my next paycheck?

A single-payment loan due on your next paycheck can carry an APR above 300% and must be repaid all at once. An installment personal loan spreads repayment over months, and lenders in our network typically offer terms of 3 to 36 months.

What if I need less than $500?

Smaller gaps are often cheaper to cover with an employer pay advance, a credit union small-dollar loan, a payment plan from the biller or a hardship program from a utility.

How much should I borrow?

Borrow only what you need for the specific bill, with a payment that fits your budget with room to spare. A smaller personal loan lowers both the payment and the total interest.

Compare offers by APR and total of payments first, then by fees, term, prepayment rules and how the lender reports to the credit bureaus; the lowest monthly payment is not always the cheapest loan.

Which number matters most when comparing offers?

The APR, because it includes the interest rate and required fees. Then look at the total of payments, which shows everything you will repay.

Why is a lower monthly payment sometimes more expensive?

A lower payment often comes from a longer term, which means paying interest for more months. At a 24% APR, a $3,000 loan costs $404.16 in interest over 12 months but $1,237.20 over 36 months.

How many offers should I compare?

At least two, and three if you can. Prequalification with soft checks lets you compare without affecting your score.

What red flags should I watch for in an offer?

Fees that were not mentioned, add-on insurance you did not request, a lender that is not licensed in your state, pressure to sign immediately, or a request to pay anything before funding.

Can I trust lender reviews?

Reviews help, but complaint records from the CFPB and your state regulator are harder to fake. Our reviews guide explains how to read both.

Where can I see several lenders side by side?

Our compare lenders page lists published APR ranges, amounts and terms for 18 lenders that consider fair and low credit.

Many lenders deposit funds as soon as the next business day after you accept and finish verification, and some can fund the same day if everything is completed early on a business day.

Can I get money the same day?

Sometimes. Loans with same day funding depend on the lender, how quickly you finish verification and your bank's processing. Weekends and holidays add time.

How will I receive the money?

Usually by direct deposit to your checking account. Some branch lenders issue a check instead, and consolidation lenders may pay your card issuers directly.

What slows funding down?

Missing documents, details that do not match your ID, a new or frequently overdrawn bank account, and accepting an offer after the lender's daily cutoff.

Can I use the money for anything?

Most personal loans can be used for almost any personal purpose, such as bills, repairs, medical costs or consolidation. Some lenders restrict business, tuition or gambling uses.

Repayment works in fixed installments: you repay the loan in equal payments, usually monthly, over a set term, often by automatic withdrawal from your bank account, until the balance reaches zero.

What happens if I miss a payment?

You may pay a late fee, owe more interest, and a payment more than 30 days late can be reported to the credit bureaus. Contact the lender before the due date if you expect trouble; many offer hardship options such as a short deferral, a changed due date or a temporary reduced payment.

Can I change my payment date?

Many lenders allow a one-time change. Ask the lender directly, since policies vary.

Will paying on time help my credit?

Yes, if the lender reports to the credit bureaus. On-time payments on an installment loan can help build a stronger history over time.

Can I cancel a loan after accepting it?

Some lenders offer a short cancellation window, often a few business days, if you return the funds. It is not guaranteed by federal law for these loans, so check the agreement before you sign.

Can I refinance or borrow more later?

Some lenders offer refinancing or additional loans. Be careful: refinancing a nearly paid balance into a new term can raise your total interest.

Your information is sent over an encrypted HTTPS connection, used to deliver your request to lenders and partners in our network, and handled as described in our privacy policy, including how to opt out of marketing.

Who sees my information?

The service that delivers requests and the lenders and partners in our network that review it. Our privacy policy lists who receives data and why.

Will I get calls or emails?

Lenders may contact you by phone, email or text about your request. You can opt out of marketing messages at any time.

How do I spot a loan scam?

Be wary of anyone who asks for an upfront fee, gift cards or a wire transfer before a loan, guarantees approval, or pressures you to decide immediately. Legitimate lenders never charge to release funds.

How do I contact you?

Use our contact page for questions about the service. Questions about a specific loan should go to the lender that made it.