What is a personal loan?

"What is a personal loan?" is the first logical question to answer before you apply. Experts describe a personal loan as an unsecured loan — meaning no collateral is required — with a fixed rate, provided for almost any personal need and repaid in monthly payments over a term of 2 to 7 years.

That's just the general definition. For exact loan amounts, rates, and terms, you'll need to contact a lender and discuss what they can offer.

What do you need it for? Emergency money for a large purchase? Consolidating debts? A car repair? Any of these is a good enough reason to consider a personal loan. Here's how to apply and what can improve your chances of approval for the amount you need, based on your credit score, income, and other criteria.

How to get a personal loan 

The first and most important step is to check your rates and compare offers from several lenders to find a loan with a competitive interest rate.

Check whether you're eligible online using a simple application form — it won't affect your credit score, so there's nothing to worry about.

If you have bad or fair credit, it's worth looking at options from online lenders that serve borrowers with less-than-perfect credit, weighing income alongside credit history.

If your request is successful and you're approved, your personal loan can be deposited into your bank account as soon as the next business day.

Bad credit? Personal loans for fair-credit borrowers 

Nothing is impossible. Getting a personal loan with a less-than-perfect history isn't a miracle. If you shop around and choose affordable options, you may still qualify for financing even without a strong credit score. What to do:

  • Regularly check your credit history and make sure there are no mistakes on your report.
  • Double-check your budget and make sure you can afford to repay the loan on time, with no additional fees or penalties.
  • Compare personal loans for bad credit from different lenders, and apply only for the most suitable one.
  • Read the company's reviews and ratings for proof of honest lending practices.
  • Take advantage of a free eligibility check for a personal loan online.
  • If unsecured bad-credit personal loans are too expensive for you, consider a secured loan — loans backed by collateral are usually cheaper and easier to get.
  • If you have a friend or relative with high income and a strong credit score, ask them to co-sign; it can raise your approval chances.
  • Prepare all necessary documents in advance for a fast, easy application.

Follow this advice and spend a little time on research to protect your finances — or leave most of the work to Maggie Loans, and we'll gladly help you request a bad-credit personal loan quickly and with no headache.

Can I check if I meet personal loan requirements? 

You can choose any type of personal loan to suit your needs. Whatever you borrow for, lenders' requirements are likely to be much the same:

  • You must be a U.S. citizen or green card holder.
  • You must be the age of majority in your state — in most states 18, except Alabama and Nebraska (19) and Mississippi (21).
  • A good credit score over 670 typically earns you lower interest rates, though applicants with bad credit can also be approved.
  • You'll be asked to provide proof of a steady income source.
  • Most lenders prefer to lend to employed people, though the unemployed have some options too.
  • The lower your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio, the better your approval chances.
  • For personal and contact details, you'll need a valid phone number, email, and an active checking account.

These are just the basic eligibility criteria, which most borrowers find easy to meet.

What personal loan cost and interest rates should I expect? 

The interest rate you're charged usually depends on your credit score — the higher your rating, the lower the APR you can expect. Find your score range below to see what personal loan rates you're likely to get.

Score range Estimated APR
720 – 850 13.9%
690 – 719 18.0%
630 – 689 21.8%
300 – 629 27.2% (lowest scores unlikely to qualify)

To get lower rates, consider the following factors that can raise or lower the cost of your loan:

  • A better credit score means cheaper loans.
  • Higher income marks you as a more reliable borrower and can make approval easier.
  • A debt-to-income (DTI) ratio below 20% may help you qualify for lower rates.
  • Using collateral or a co-signer can also help you get a cheaper personal loan.
  • Loan amounts and terms affect the cost too — check with the lender.

The fastest way to estimate your monthly cost is an online personal loan calculator.

How to choose a bad-credit personal loan lender 

There's no single perfect lender for everyone, but here are some tips for finding a good match for your situation. Your choice will depend on:

  • Their loan approval requirements
  • Interest rates and any additional fees
  • Loan repayment terms
  • The company's legal status and type of lender

Your decision may also come down to how you prefer to do business. Online, you can find convenient terms and competitive rates; if you prefer in-person service, you may want to consider banks. For a fast, easy application, online lenders are hard to beat.

What should you know before applying for a personal loan? 

To borrow safely from a legitimate lending company, read this quick guide on how to spot bad-credit loan scams. Predatory lenders and scams often share a few features:

  • Promises that every applicant will be approved regardless of credit, or that no check of your credit is involved at all — claims no legitimate lender makes.
  • No legal registration in your state's lender database.
  • Poor or misleading marketing and advertising.
  • Prepayment fees or other hidden charges.
  • A suspicious website with weak protection for your personal information.
  • No physical store address.

Avoid borrowing from any lender showing these traits — apply online only for safe, reputable personal loans for bad credit.

FAQ Personal loans

 

What is a Personal Loan?

 

What are the requirements for obtaining a Personal Loan?

 

Can you get a Personal Loan with bad credit?

 

How much can I get with a Personal Loan?

 

What are the repayment terms for a Personal Loan?

Personal loans when your credit is poor or limited

If you've faced financial difficulties even once, you know how hard they can be to overcome. Bad things often happen at once, and many people don't have emergency savings to fall back on. Family and friends may not be able to lend the amount you need, and a bank loan isn't always an option — especially if your credit rating is weak or nonexistent. In cases like these, people often look for online personal loans that don't depend heavily on a credit check.

Can you get a personal loan without a traditional credit check?

Some people assume no such loans exist. In fact, there are lenders that place less weight on a standard credit check and look more at other factors. These loans can be harder to obtain, and the option is worth understanding — including its downsides, which are significant.

How does your credit affect the loan?

For a lender, a solid credit history is evidence you're likely to repay. When they see a record of regular payments, they can treat you as a reliable borrower, and the stronger your credit rating, the better the loan terms tend to be. With good credit, you're far more likely to be approved — though approval is never certain.

Can I get a personal loan with bad credit?

If your credit rating is poor, the terms will usually be worse. The lender may ask for proof of income and a stable address before lending. But even with income, approval isn't guaranteed — different lenders weigh different factors.

Loans made with little or no credit review are among the riskiest for lenders. If they can't assess your credit history, they can't gauge whether you'll repay on time — so when a lender does offer such a loan, the interest rate is usually very high. You can end up overpaying a large amount, which often makes this kind of loan an expensive and unprofitable choice. Weigh it carefully against other options before you commit.

What are the requirements?

To qualify, you generally must:

  • Be at least 18 years old.
  • Have a permanent source of income and be able to prove it.
  • Provide a government-issued ID, your permanent address, email, phone number, and your employer's phone number.
  • Be a U.S. citizen or lawful resident.

One tip: it's better to provide whatever credit history you have — even if it's bad — than none at all.

Select the Right Loan Option