Bad Credit Loans: What You Can Actually Get
Honest answers, a free request form, and no obligation to accept.
Estimate uses a typical fee of $15 per $100 for a two-week loan (CFPB example). Actual fees depend on your state and lender. A typical two-week loan with a $15 per $100 fee has an APR near 400%. Your offer may differ.
Check my offers- Lenders must disclose fees and APR before you sign
- Free to request, no obligation
- All credit types can apply; lenders may check credit
No legitimate lender can guarantee approval, and any site that does is a warning sign. But a low credit score does not mean you cannot borrow. All credit types can apply through our free request form, and lenders in our network review each request individually. Payday Linet runs a loan request service. If a lender makes an offer, it must show the fees and APR before you sign, so you can judge the cost for yourself.
Why request online
Why "guaranteed approval" is a red flag
Every lender has to decide whether it believes you can repay. That decision cannot be made before the lender sees your information, so a promise of guaranteed approval is either marketing noise or a trap. Be careful of sites that ask for an upfront fee before you receive a loan, that will not tell you who the lender is, or that pressure you to act within minutes. A trustworthy request process is simple: you give details, a lender reviews them, and you see the terms before agreeing. You are free to say no at any point.
What lenders look at besides your score
A credit score is one input, not the whole story. When a lender reviews your request, it may consider:
- Your income and how regular it is
- Whether your checking account is open and in good standing
- Existing debts compared with what you earn
- Your history with that lender or similar loans
Some lenders check credit and some focus mostly on income, so a low score may still lead to an offer. It can, however, mean a smaller amount, a shorter term, or a higher cost.
What bad-credit loans usually cost
Lower credit generally means higher prices. A typical two-week payday loan with a $15 per $100 fee equals an APR of almost 400%, according to the CFPB. A $300 loan, for example, would cost a $45 fee and require $345. Installment loans for lower credit may be repaid over several months, with an APR that the lender must disclose. Always compare the total repayment in dollars. If an offer looks unaffordable, decline it. Borrowing money you cannot repay can make a credit problem bigger, not smaller.
Lower-cost options to check first
Before you accept a high-cost loan, spend a few minutes on alternatives. Federal credit unions offer Payday Alternative Loans (PALs) of $200 to $2,000 over 1 to 12 months, with a maximum 28% APR and an application fee of no more than $20. Active-duty members and dependents are protected by a 36% MAPR cap under the Military Lending Act. You can also ask billers for payment plans. If those do not work, submit a request here: it is free, takes a few minutes, and creates no obligation. A decision often comes quickly online.
How it works
Questions people ask
Does anyone guarantee approval for bad credit loans?
No legitimate lender can. Approval depends on the lender reviewing your income, bank account, and other details. Our request form is open to all credit types, but we cannot promise any outcome. Treat a guarantee as a warning sign.
Will applying lower my credit score?
Submitting our request form is free, but a lender that reviews it may check your credit, and some checks can affect your score. Each lender's practice differs, so ask how it checks credit and read what you authorize before you sign anything.
Can I be approved if I have no credit history?
Possibly. Some lenders look primarily at income and banking history rather than a credit score. No history is different from bad history, but approval is still never certain. All credit types can apply, and lenders decide individually.
What should I do if I am denied?
A denial from one lender is not the end. You can check alternatives such as credit union PALs, ask billers about payment plans, or try again later. Avoid sites that promise approval or ask for upfront fees, since those are common scam signals.
It takes a few minutes and costs nothing to ask. You decide after you see the full cost.
Check my offersWe pass your request to participating lenders. A request does not guarantee an offer; approval, amount and funding time depend on the provider.