How to get a personal loan in 9 steps

Bankrate analyst Jared Wilder decided the best way for him to pay off high-interest-rate credit cards was to take out a personal loan. Before he decided on a lender, he spent a few hours reading up on different loan amounts and terms associated with personal loans.

“One of my main concerns was finding out what the ‘catch’ was,” Wilder explains. “Why is some bank going to hand me 25 grand? What are the rules about how I can and can’t use it?” Once Wilder had a grasp on what he would be getting into, he knew what requirements to look for.

If you have similar borrowing needs, you might wonder how to get a personal loan. In most cases, you just need a good credit score and proof of income to get a personal loan. Although getting a personal loan is relatively simple, there are some steps you can take to choose the right personal loan and increase your approval chances. The steps may vary depending on whether you’re looking for debt consolidation loans, home improvement loans, medical loans or wedding loans.

How to get a personal loan in 9 steps

Consumers often choose personal loans because they provide fast access to cash for a variety of needs. Whether you need money to pay for an unexpected hospital bill, an emergency car repair or to finance some much-needed home renovations, knowing how to get approved for a personal loan will help make the application process as smooth as possible.

1. Know your credit scores

Check your credit score before you start crunching any numbers. Personal loan annual percentage rates (APRs) can range from just below 8 percent all the way up to 35.99 percent, depending mostly on your credit score. A score of 800 or higher puts in the excellent-credit personal loan rate category, while a score of 580 or below is typically categorized as bad.

It’s more difficult to get approved for a loan with bad credit. Higher APRs mean higher payments. Lenders may not be willing to lend you as much, or they may require you to pay the loan off faster.

On the other hand, a high credit score gives you the best chance at a low personal loan rate and a larger loan amount. You’re also more likely to be eligible for repayment terms as long as seven years, versus the standard five-year term offered to lower credit score borrowers.

Next steps

1. Pay your bills on time: Your payment history has the most impact on your credit score.
2. Keep your credit card balances low: Pay off or pay down credit cards if you can. Your credit utilization ratio measures how much available revolving credit you’re carrying. The more maxed-out your cards are, the lower your score will be.
3. Avoid opening new accounts: Your score dips a bit every time you apply for new credit. Limit new credit applications if you can.

2. Run the numbers

Before you get a loan, decide exactly how much you need to borrow. This will have an impact on the interest rate you’re offered, your monthly payment and the total amount of origination fees the lender charges.

Some personal loan lenders charge origination fees over 10 percent of the amount you borrow, and the cost is typically deducted from your loan funds. Padding your loan amount before you apply may help you avoid reapplying for more to cover the costs later.

Once you’ve zeroed in on your loan amount, run some numbers using a personal loan calculator. Experiment with longer terms if you want to keep your payment lower or shorter terms if you want to pay the balance off quickly.

Next steps

Check the websites of some personal loan lenders to get an idea of the rates and terms they offer. You should also check their rates and use them with a personal loan calculator to get the most accurate idea of what your monthly payment will be.

3. Review lender requirements and gather documentation

Once you decide on the amount you want to borrow, you need to know what it will take to get approved by a personal loan lender. Each lender may set different approval requirements and collect a variety of documents to decide whether to take a risk on you as a borrower.

Personal loan qualification requirements

Your credit score, income and debt are usually evaluated by personal loan lenders to see if you qualify. Some lenders may also consider your work history or education.

• Credit score and report: Most personal loan lenders require you to have fair credit, but there are options for those with bad credit. Your credit history may also be reviewed to see if there are major issues like prior bankruptcies or judgments. Some lenders will consider other criteria, such as your educational background and employment history, when reviewing your application.
• Debt-to-income ratio: Lenders also look at other monthly credit payments you make compared to how much you earn each month. This is known as your debt-to-income ratio and if it’s too high, you may not be approved for the amount you apply for.
• Income: Your income tells lenders how likely you are to be able to repay your loan. The more you make and the more regular your income is, the easier it is for the lender to approve your loan. Some, but not all, lenders allow you to get a co-signer, which may help boost the amount you’re approved for.
• Collateral: Although most personal loans are unsecured, some lenders may offer secured options. Collateral is another word for an asset like a car, jewelry or a fine art collection. Rates may be slightly lower with a secured loan, but the downside is you’ll lose your asset if you default on the loan.

Next steps

Researching lender requirements ahead of time will help you choose loans you have the best chance of getting approved for.

Documents to gather for a personal loan application

You’ll need to provide documentation as part of the personal loan approval process to verify the information you provided on your application. Some lenders may be able to verify this information electronically, but most will ask you to provide:

• Proof of identity: Lenders typically accept your birth certificate, certificate of citizenship, driver’s license, passport, Social Security card or a state-issued ID.
• Income verification: You can provide a pay stub, bank statements, tax returns or even 1099 forms if you’re self-employed.
• Proof of address: Lenders want to confirm you have a verifiable address and where you’ve lived for the past few years. They may ask for copies of utility bills, lease or rental agreements, property tax bills or credit card statements as proof of address.

Most lenders have websites with secure portals you can use to upload requested documents.

Next steps

Be prepared to take pictures or scan your documents and make sure the images are legible. Lenders won’t accept documents they can’t read.

4. Consider your options

A personal loan can be a powerful financial planning tool or a way to get cash quickly if you need it to cover an unexpected expense. Before you start researching personal loan types, think about how you can use the funds to improve your financial situation.

Fast funding vs. future planning

One major benefit of personal loans is they can be funded quickly — sometimes as soon as one business day. If you’re facing a large unexpected expense like a car repair or an air conditioner replacement in your home, personal loans can get you needed funds fast.

On the other hand, maybe you’re planning to buy a house in the future and want to simplify your expenses and improve your credit score. You could use a personal loan for debt consolidation to replace variable-rate credit cards with a fixed rate and payment. The future perk is your credit score could improve, allowing you to get a lower mortgage rate when you find your new home.

Short term vs. long term

Most personal loan terms range between one and seven years. A longer term will result in a lower monthly payment. However, lenders typically charge higher rates for longer terms, which leaves you paying more interest in the long run.

Personal loan lenders typically charge lower rates for shorter terms, but the payments are much higher. Make sure your budget can handle the higher payment, and avoid short terms if you earn income from commissions or self-employment.

Debt consolidation considerations

One of the best ways to improve your credit score is to pay off revolving debt like credit cards. If you don’t have the cash to pay them off, a personal loan is a great alternative to convert multiple credit card debts into one installment loan.

Lump sum vs. line of credit

Funds from a personal loan are received all at once, and your monthly payment is the same for the term of the loan. That may be a shock if you’re used to making minimum payments on a credit card.

Also, if you don’t need the funds right away, a personal loan might not be the best fit because it locks you into a monthly payment whether you need the funds now or not. For example, if you’re planning some home improvement projects but plan to spread them out over the next year or two, a home equity line of credit (HELOC) allows you to use as much as you need for each project and the payment is only based on the credit balance you access.

Bad credit now vs. better credit later

If your credit score is low because you have a lot of maxed-out credit cards, a personal loan for bad credit could help you pay those debts off and reduce your credit utilization ratio. Your scores could improve to the point where you can refinance to a better rate later, which will help reduce your overall monthly payments.

Next steps

Double-check your budget to make sure you can afford a fixed payment, and avoid short-term loans if your income varies.

5. Choose your loan type

Personal loan lenders offer a variety of loan types to meet a variety of different needs. While some lenders are flexible in how you use the funds, others may only allow the money to be used for specific purposes. Before applying, check to make sure you can use the funds for what you need.

Likewise, depending on the type of loan you get, you may get different terms and interest rates. For instance, home improvement loans tend to come with longer repayment terms than emergency loans, and debt consolidation loans tend to have lower starting APRs than general purpose loans.

Different types of personal loans

To make the most informed decision on what’s best for your finances, consider every type of personal loan available.

• Debt consolidation loans:Debt consolidation is one of the most common uses for personal loans. You take out one loan to cover multiple variable rate debts like credit cards and make only one payment at a potentially lower interest rate.
• Credit card refinancing loans: Some companies specialize in loans for people looking to pay off credit card debt. Because personal loan rates are often lower than credit card rates, this type of loan may save you hundreds or even thousands in interest charges over the life of the loan.
• Home improvement loans: A home improvement loan may be a good option to pay for a large renovation project without taking out a secured home equity loan.
• Medical loans: If you’re in a financial bind due to large medical expenses, a personal loan may be a good way to pay medical bills off and spread the payments out over a number of years.
• Emergency loans: Emergency loans are useful for urgent expenses such as a car breakdown, a smaller medical expense or a burst water pipe.
• Event loans: Although not recommended as a first-resort option, personal loans can be used as an alternative to using credit cards to finance weddings and vacations.

Next steps

Search the Bankrate personal loan marketplace to find the most competitive loan that best meets your borrowing needs.

6. Shop around for the best personal loan rates

Shop around and only apply with lenders that clearly list personal and financial approval requirements that meet your needs. Compare several lenders and loan types to get an idea of what you qualify for. Avoid settling for the first offer you receive.

If you’ve been a longtime account holder with your bank or credit union, see if it’s willing to give you a better rate or offer you any perks or discounts.

Check for prequalification options ahead of time

Shop around and only apply with lenders that clearly list personal and financial approval requirements that meet your needs. Most personal loan lenders allow you to check your predicted interest rates and eligibility odds before officially applying through a process called “prequalification.”

This process doesn’t require a hard credit inquiry, which limits the overall negative impact to your credit. If you can’t prequalify and the minimum eligibility criteria aren’t listed on the website, you may want to try to contact the lender directly to get the information before applying to avoid damaging your credit with multiple hard inquiries.

Compare several lenders and loan types to get an idea of what you qualify for. Avoid settling for the first offer you receive. If you’ve been a longtime account holder with your bank or credit union, see if it’s willing to give you a better rate or offer you any perks or discounts.

Next steps

Review the rates and terms you’re offered and check the fine print for any limitations on how you can use the money. Watch for prepayment penalties and fees to pick the best option for you.

7. Pick a lender and apply

Once you’ve picked the lender with the best offer for your needs, you’ll start the application process.

You may be able to do the entire application process online. Alternatively, you may have to apply in person at your local bank or credit union branch. You’ll typically need to provide basic personal information and your income and employment information.

Most lenders require that you state your intended loan purpose during the application process as well. Keep in mind the terms of your offer could change depending on the documents you provide. Ask the lender to explain any changes to your interest rate or loan amount after your initial application.

How Jared decided on his debt consolidation lender

Ultimately, Jared chose a lender because it was a good fit for his financial profile and allowed him to pay off his credit card debt balances directly with the loan funds. “Their credit score requirement was slightly lower than most, and with my subpar credit score, that made a big difference,” he adds.

8. Provide necessary documentation

Every lender will have different paperwork requirements and once you submit your application, you may be asked to provide additional documentation. Be prepared to provide additional documents alongside the ones you prepared so the lender can verify information you provided on your application. Doing so can help avoid delays.

Next steps

Watch for changes to your terms that are a direct result of the documents you provided. Ask your lender to explain any differences in your rate, loan term or loan amount if they change after your prequalification offer.

9. Accept the loan and start making payments

After the lender reviews your documents and notifies you that you’ve been approved, you’ll then finalize your loan documents by accepting the terms. Once you sign off on the loan agreement, you’ll typically get your funds within a week, although some online lenders get it to you within one or two business days.

Keep track of when your payments are due, and consider setting up automatic payments to streamline the process. Some lenders even offer interest rate discounts if you use autopay.

Also, consider paying extra each month, even if it’s only a small amount. While personal loans are often cheaper than credit cards, you’ll still save money on interest by paying the loan off early.

Next steps

Always make your monthly payments on time and try to make extra payments whenever possible. To make the process easier, enroll in automatic payments or set a due date reminder on your calendar.

The bottom line

Getting approved for a personal loan is a simple process. You can increase your chances of approval by taking some steps ahead of time. Simple steps like knowing your credit score and understanding lender requirements could make the difference between a green light for financing or a loan denial. Take the time to research and compare lenders to find the best rates and terms for your specific financial situation.

Wilder suggests understanding the fine print before you sign to avoid getting a loan that’s not a good fit. “You really should read up before you apply so you don’t get stuck in a situation that doesn’t actually fit your needs.”