Best Personal Loans for Veterans

Compare the best personal loans for veterans

NerdWallet reviewed more than 35 financial institutions to find the best personal loans for veterans. These are our top picks.

» MORE: Compare unsecured loans

When to consider a personal loan as a veteran

The best reason to use a personal loan is when it’s the least costly method of borrowing and it helps you realize a financial goal, such as consolidating your debt at a lower rate or increasing the value of your home with a home improvement project.

Lenders that cater to veterans or offer rate discounts to those who’ve served in the military can make getting a personal loan enticing. Be sure to compare multiple financing offers to find the best deal and check your budget to ensure you’re comfortably able to repay the loan as scheduled.

How to choose the best personal loan for veterans

There are a few things to consider as you compare personal loans.

Annual percentage rate: The annual percentage rate includes the loan’s interest rate and any fees, and it’s one of the best ways to measure affordability. For example, a two-year $5,000 loan with a 15% APR would cost $818 in interest. The same loan with a 10% APR would cost $537 in interest. The lower the APR, the cheaper it is to borrow the money.

Monthly payments: Consider a personal loan only if you're certain you can afford the monthly payments for the full term. Missing loan payments can lead to costly fees and lower your credit score. Use our personal loan calculator to estimate your monthly payment.

Repayment term: Repayment terms on personal loans usually range from two to seven years, though longer terms are available from some lenders. If you choose a longer repayment term, you’ll have lower monthly payments, but you’ll also pay more in interest.

Funding time: Online lenders tend to fund loans faster than banks or credit unions, which can take up to a week to deposit the money into your account after you’re approved. Many online lenders promise next- or same-day funding.

Special perks: Lenders might offer other benefits that may appeal to you. For example, if you’re using a loan to consolidate debt, search for lenders that will pay your creditors directly so you don’t have to. Other lenders may include free financial education or a free monthly credit report as part of their loan product. Some lenders may offer special perks to active duty or retired military, like a rate discount.

What veterans need to qualify for a personal loan

Eligibility requirements

Lenders consider these to determine your eligibility for a personal loan:

• Credit score and history.

• Income.

• Existing debts.

A loan applicant with good to excellent credit (a score of 690 or higher) is most likely to qualify for a personal loan with a low rate.

Not all lenders publish income requirements, but they ask about your income on loan applications to ensure you earn enough to make the monthly payments. Include all sources of income in your application, such as disability benefits or rental income.

Lenders also review your debt-to-income ratio, which is the percentage of your monthly income that goes toward debt payments. A DTI below 36% is ideal for many lenders, but some accept borrowers with more debt.

How to boost your chances of qualifying

If you have bad credit (629 credit score or lower), low income or a high debt-to-income ratio, you can boost your chances of qualifying for a personal loan with a joint, co-signed or secured loan.

Joint loans and co-signed loans involve adding another person — ideally with better credit or more income — to your loan application. A secured loan involves tying collateral to the loan, like a car or an investment account.

» MORE: Learn more about personal loan requirements

How to get a personal loan for veterans

1. Check your credit: You can get your free credit score at AnnualCreditReport.com or by signing up for a NerdWallet account. If you have time before applying, look for quick ways to build your score, such as disputing errors on your report, paying down your debt and asking for a credit limit increase.

2. Pre-qualify: Pre-qualifying is one of the best ways to determine whether a personal loan is the right choice. The process lets you preview potential loan terms, including APR, loan amount and monthly payments, without impacting your credit score. Pre-qualify with multiple lenders to find the most affordable offer.

3. Complete a formal application: Once you’ve chosen an offer, it’s time to apply. Personal loan applications are typically available online. You’ll be asked to provide basic personal information, including your Social Security number, and contact information like a home address, phone number and email address. You also may be asked to include proof of identification and proof of employment and income.

» MORE: How to apply for a personal loan

After submitting your application, approval time can be instantaneous or take a few days, depending on the lender. Expect your loan to be funded within a week. Many lenders say they can fund a loan the same- or next day after approval.

Other financial resources for veterans

Veterans seeking personal loans or short-term emergency cash may have other resources such as grants, which provide free money with no repayment required, and financial assistance.

These are just a few of the many resources available to veterans. A complete list of veterans service organizations can be found through the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Federal benefits

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: The VA’s annual guide to federal benefits for veterans, dependents, survivors and caregivers offers information on disability compensation, housing grants for disabled veterans and educational assistance.

U.S. Government Guide to Military Pay and Benefits: The U.S. Government maintains a webpage dedicated to military pay and retirement benefits (including pensions), plus tuition assistance, health benefits and burial and survivor benefits.

Job training and placement

Blue Star Families: This nonprofit organization helps connect military families with free resources and services, including long-term job opportunities for military spouses.

Hiring Our Heroes: The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation launched this nationwide initiative to help veterans, transitioning service members and military spouses find employment. Hiring Our Heroes hosts hiring fairs and education and networking programs, and offers a corporate fellowship program.

Grants

VFW Unmet Needs Program: The Veterans of Foreign Wars offers this program for military families who have financial difficulties stemming from deployment or other military-related activity or injury. It provides grants up to $2,500 and can be used for eligible expenses, which include household expenses, vehicle expenses, utilities, childcare and medical bills.

American Legion Temporary Financial Assistance Program: This nonprofit veterans organization awards cash grants of up to $1,500 to children of current active duty military or American Legion members to help meet an urgent need like shelter, food and health care costs.

Business grants and resources for veterans: Veterans who are looking to start a business or who are existing business owners can seek financial assistance through the Small Business Administration, which offers funding, training and federal contracting opportunities for veterans, as well as resources for military spouses.