Want a low-income loan with favorable terms?
You’ve come to the right place!
Annual income is one of the many pieces of personal information lenders will ask for when evaluating you for a loan. And almost all lenders have minimum income requirements.
The good news; it’s possible to access personal loans even with a meager income.
While many lenders offer low-income personal loans, these loans usually come at a high cost. But if you shop around and compare different lenders and their offerings, it’s possible to find one that meets your needs and budget.
This guide will introduce you to 7 reputable lenders who offer personal loans for a tight budget. But first, a quick crash course on low-income loans.
What Is a Low-Income Loan?
The definition of low income varies from one agency to the other. For example, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (DHUD) defines a low-income family as those families whose incomes are less than 80% of the median income for the area.
According to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), a low-income family has less than 200% of the department’s poverty guidelines.
Whether you’re considered low-income depends on many other factors outside your earnings. For instance, the national median family income for 2021 was $79,900. However, this number varies substantially from one location to another.
That said, most lenders who offer low-income loans set their min. income requirement at $30,000. Some lenders have no minimum income requirements for loans.
Steps to Qualifying for a Low-Income Loan
The minimum requirement for low-income loans varies from lender to lender, so it’s important to compare lenders when shopping for a low-income loan. In addition to the minimum income requirements, lenders generally consider these three factors:
- Credit score
- Credit history
- Debt-to-income ratio
If you have an extremely low income, you can increase your chances of securing a low-income loan by looking at these three factors.
Every year, you’re entitled to one free credit report from the three major consumer reporting agencies (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion). You can request a copy from https://annualcreditreport.com/ and check for any errors in your credit report.
If there are any errors on your credit report, fix them to improve your loan eligibility. Once you’ve worked on your credit report, follow these steps to apply for a low-income loan.
1. Compare Lenders
Comparing lenders before applying for a low-income loan can help ensure you’re getting the best deal. Shopping around enables you to identify lenders with the best interest rates and loan terms. When comparing lenders, pay attention to:
- Interest rates
- Fees charged
- Repayment period
- Minimum eligibility requirements
2. Choose Your Loan Options
Different lenders offer different loan types for low-income earners. From payday loans to auto title loans to personal loans—you’ll likely have more than five options to choose from.
The best loans for low-income earners are personal loans, as they come with friendly terms and flexible repayment periods. Other loan types tend to be predatory, with high-interest rates and stringent repayment terms.
3. Complete the Application
Fill out the application form and submit the required documentation, such as tax returns or pay stubs.
4. Get Your Funds
Once your application has been approved, the lender will ask you to sign for the loan and disburse the funds. Some lenders can approve the loan in as little as 24 hours, while others are funded within about a week.
7 Reputable Low-Income Lenders
Different lenders have different income requirements for low-budget loans.
Keep in mind that even if a lender has no income requirements, you may be required to meet other eligibility criteria, such as having a good credit score. Without further ado, here are the top lenders for low-income personal loans.
1. Marcus
Marcus is the online consumer banking and lending arm of the investment bank Goldman Sachs. The lender’s low-income personal loans stand out thanks to their consumer-friendly features like direct payment to creditors.
Key Features of Marcus Loans
- Loan amounts ranging from $3,500 – $40,000
- Receive funds in as little as 72 hours
- No origination fee
- APRs ranging from 6.99% – 19.99%
- Min credit score of 660
With zero fees and customizable repayment terms, Marcus makes a strong case for being one of the top low-income lenders.
2. Payoff
Payoff offers the best low-income personal loans for credit card consolidation. The loan is available for consumers with fair credit.
Their loans are exclusively designed for paying off credit card bills. The lender offers very competitive terms for credit card debt consolidation. One important thing to note is that while Payoff disburses the loans, they work with five lenders to fund loans. As a result, Payoff has a relatively slow funding timeline.
Key Features of Payoff Low-Income Loans
- Loan limits ranging from $5,000 – $35,000
- Loan lengths of 36 to 90 months
- 0% to 5% origination fee
- APRs ranging from 5.99% – 24.99%
- A minimum credit score of 600 to 660
Payoff offers a low minimum APR and high loan amounts, making it one of the best low-income loans on the market today.
3. Upstart
Upstart is one of the best low-income lenders for large personal loans because they offer loans as big as $50,000.
Additionally, the lender requires a minimum credit score of 620, which is 20 points below the start of the fair credit range—meaning most consumers with fair credit have a good chance of getting approved for the loan.
The company underwrites personal loans using artificial intelligence to give bad and fair credit borrowers a better chance of getting approved. On top of that, Upstart funds the loan within 24 hours after a borrower accepts the loan offer.
Key Features of Upstart Low-Income Loans
- Large loan amounts ranging from $1,000 to $50,000
- Loan lengths of 36 to 60 months
- 0% to 8% loan origination fee
- APRs range from 5.35% to 35.99%
- Approval and funding within 14 days of applying
- A minimum credit score of 620 required
Upstart is a great option for low-income earners with a fair credit score who need large loans to finance development projects.
4. Discover
Discover personal loans can be an excellent way for low-income borrowers to refinance or consolidate debt.
If approved, the lender disburses the loan in 24 hours. On top of that, Discover offers an extended repayment period of up to 84 months, while many personal loan lenders go only up to 60 months. Plus, unlike other lenders, Discover has no origination fee.
Key Features of Discover Low-Income Loans
- Loan amounts ranging from $2,500 to $35,000
- Loan repayment period of 36 to 84 months
- 0% origination fee
- APRs range from 5.99% to 24.99%
- A minimum credit score of 660
Discover low-income loans are ideal for consumers with excellent credit who want quick access to funds to consolidate or refinance a high-interest debt.
5. Upgrade
Upgrade offers personal loans to borrowers with a wide range of credit scores and incomes. The lender differentiates itself with consumer-friendly features like rate discounts for having payments directly sent to creditors on debt consolidation loans.
In addition, Upgrade funds the loans in as little as 24 hours after approval. However, the lender charges high origination fees, and borrowers may also face high APRs.
Key Features of Upgrade Low-Income Loans
- Loan amounts ranging from $1,000 to $50,000
- 24-hours approval rate
- 2.9% to 8% origination fee
- APRs range from 5.94% to 35.97%
- A minimum credit score of 600
- A wide range of repayment terms
Discount opportunities and customizable features make Upgrade a strong option for fair and bad credit borrowers.
6. Bad Credit Loans
Bad Credit Loans is a low-income lender that offers personal loans with loan amounts up to $10,000. The lender has a low minimum income requirement, making it favorable to most low-income earners. All you need to get started is an active checking account, be a US citizen, and have a regular income.
Key Features of Bad Credit Loans
- Loan amounts of up to $10,000
- Easy application process
- Disbursement in as little as 24 hours
- APR range between 5.99% and 35.99%
- Repayment period of 3 to 60 months
The lender doesn’t have a minimum credit score requirement, making it the best option for borrowers with poor credit.
7. Sofi
Sofi is the best low-income lender for large loans because they have loans as big as $100,000 that no other lender can reach.
The lender also outshines the competition with a slew of free perks. For instance, Sofi members gain access to free financial advising, networking events, exclusive bonuses, and complimentary estate planning.
On top of that, Sofi offers consumer-friendly features that give it an edge over the competition: Zero fees, flexible repayment terms, and large loan amounts.
Key Features of Sofi Low-Income Loans
- Large loan amounts ranging from $5,000 to $100,000
- Repayment period of 24 to 84 months
- 0% origination fee
- APRs range from 6.99% to 21.78%
- Approval and funding within 11 days after you apply
- A minimum credit score of 680
With zero fees, a long repayment period, and large loan amounts of up to $100,000, only a few lenders can match what Sofi offers.
Wrapping Up
That’s it! The best loans for low-income earners.
It’s easier to access personal loans even with an extremely low income. However, most loan-income loans on the market today usually come at a high cost. But if you shop around and compare different lenders, it’s possible to find one that meets your needs and budget.