How to Apply for a Personal Loan

Applying for a loan starts with checking your credit and pre-qualifying to compare personal loan offers.

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Updated · 3 min read
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Written by Jackie Veling
Lead Writer
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Edited by Kim Lowe
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Fact Checked
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Co-written by Ronita Choudhuri-Wade
Lead Writer

How to Apply for a personal loan

    The process of applying for a personal loan may feel overwhelming if you don’t know where to begin or what you need.

    Below are five steps and common questions to help you through the process of choosing and applying for the best personal loan for your financial situation.

    Step 1: Check your credit

    Start the process by checking your credit. The interest rate and loan amount you receive depend a lot on your credit score, so reviewing your credit report lets you spot and fix any errors — like a falsely reported late payment — and strengthen your score before applying for a personal loan.

    How does my credit score impact personal loan offers?

    Good- or excellent-credit borrowers (those with scores of 690 or above) typically receive lower rates and have a wider group of lenders to choose from. On the other hand, bad- and fair-credit borrowers (scores below 690) may have fewer options and receive higher interest rates.

    How do I see my credit score for free?

    You can get a free credit score and credit report with NerdWallet. You can also request free credit reports directly from the three major credit bureaus at AnnualCreditReport.com.

    Step 2: Pre-qualify and compare offers

    Pre-qualifying for a personal loan gives you a preview of estimated rates, monthly payments and terms before you submit a formal application. Many lenders allow prospective borrowers to pre-qualify on their websites.

    See if you pre-qualify for a personal loan — without affecting your credit score.
    Just answer a few questions to get personalized rates from our lending partners.

    Will pre-qualifying affect my credit score?

    No, pre-qualifying for a personal loan requires a soft inquiry, which doesn’t affect your credit score.

    What do I need to pre-qualify for a personal loan?

    To pre-qualify, you’ll need to submit information such as:

    • Loan purpose. Unsecured personal loans can be used for almost anything, and most lenders ask how you intend to use the money.  

    • Requested loan amount. Lenders typically offer personal loans from $1,000 to $50,000.

    • Preferred loan term. Personal loans usually have repayment terms from two to seven years.

    • Personal and financial information. This could include your name, email address, date of birth, address, income and Social Security number. 

    If you’re unable to pre-qualify for a loan on your own, consider a co-signed or joint loan. Adding someone with a strong credit score and higher income can help you get approved and lower your rate. But keep in mind that a co-borrower or co-signer will be required to make loan payments if you fail to.

    How long will it take to pre-qualify?

    Pre-qualifying can take up to a few minutes after you submit your information. If you qualify for a loan offer, the lender will show you potential rates and terms to choose from.

    Step 3: Choose your lender and loan

    The best personal loan is usually the most affordable one. Carefully consider things like APR, monthly payments and fees before you accept an offer.

    • APR: The annual percentage rate is the total cost of borrowing and includes your interest rate and all additional fees. The lower the APR, the lower the cost of the loan. 

    • Loan term: The loan term is how long you will be paying off the loan. A longer term can lower your monthly payments, but you’ll end up paying more in total interest than you would with a shorter-term loan.

    • Fees: Some lenders charge an origination fee, which is usually 1% to 10% of the loan amount. This fee increases your APR and a lender may take it upfront, effectively lowering your total loan amount.

    • Monthly payments: Check the monthly payment and make sure that you can comfortably afford the loan in your budget. 

    • Features and benefits: Identify features that are important to you, like flexible payment options, help with building your credit or direct payment to creditors if you’re consolidating debt.

    Personal loans from our partners

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    SoFi

    5.0

    NerdWallet rating 
    SoFi logo

    5.0

    NerdWallet rating 
    APR 

    8.99- 29.99%

    Loan amount 

    $5K- $100K

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    on SoFi

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    on Discover

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    5.0

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    5.0

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    7.99- 24.99%

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    $2.5K- $40K

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    on Discover

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    on Best Egg

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    4.5

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    BestEgg logo

    4.5

    NerdWallet rating 
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    7.99- 35.99%

    Loan amount 

    $2K- $50K

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    on Best Egg

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    on Upgrade

    Upgrade

    5.0

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    5.0

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    9.99- 35.99%

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    $1K- $50K

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    4.0

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    4.0

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    11.72- 17.99%

    Loan amount 

    $5K- $40K

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    on Upstart

    Upstart

    5.0

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    5.0

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    7.8- 35.99%

    Loan amount 

    $1K- $50K

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    on Upstart