4 Best Debt Consolidation Loans for Bad Credit [April 2024] (2024)

Best Debt Consolidation Loans for Bad Credit in 2024


4 Best Debt Consolidation Loans for Bad Credit [April 2024] (1)

LendingPoint

The best debt consolidation loans for bad credit are from LendingPoint. The company requires a credit score of 600+ to qualify, offers loan amounts of$2,000 - $36,500 and has an APR range of7.99% - 35.99%.

Upstart

Debt consolidation loans through Upstart are the best if you need a large loan. These loans have dollar amounts of $1,000 - $50,000 with typical APRs of6.4% - 35.99%. You do not need a credit score to qualify.**

Upgrade

Upgrade has the best debt consolidation loans for bad credit with a quick funding timeline. The company offers funding as soon as two business days after getting approved, dollar amounts of$1,000 - $50,000 and an APR range of8.49% - 35.99%. To qualify for an Upgrade loan, borrowers must have a credit score of 620+.

Universal Credit

Universal Credit offers the best debt consolidation loans for bad credit with no origination fee. To qualify for a Universal Credit debt consolidation loan, borrowers must have a credit score of 580 or higher. The company also has loan amounts of$1,000 - $50,000 and an APR range of11.69% - 35.99%.

OneMain Financial

OneMain Financial offers the best debt consolidation loans with long repayment periods. The company has repayment periods of24, 36, 48 or 60 months, loan amounts of$1,500 - $20,000 and an APR range of18% - 35.99%. OneMain Financial requires a credit score of 600 - 650, according to multiple third-party sources.

Best Debt Consolidation Loans for Bad Credit Comparison

CompanyAPRLoan AmountsScore Required
Upstart6.4% - 35.99%, typically$1,000 - $50,000None
Upgrade8.49% - 35.99%$1,000 - $50,000620*
LendingPoint7.99% - 35.99%$2,000 - $36,500600
Universal Credit11.69% - 35.99%$1,000 - $50,000580
OneMain Financial18% - 35.99%$1,500 - $20,000600 - 650*

*According to multiple third-party sources

Tips for Getting a Debt Consolidation Loan With Bad Credit

  • Consolidate debts with the highest interest rates. With bad credit, you’re unlikely to get a great APR on a personal loan. In fact, you should expect to get a rate as high as 36%. As a result, you’ll want to use your loan to consolidate things like payday loans, which charge fees equivalent to as much as a 400% APR. But it probably won’t make sense to consolidate things like credit card debt, which is likely to have a lower rate than your personal loan.
  • Get pre-qualified. Lots of lenders let you pre-qualify before submitting an application to see your approval odds and potential rates. You can check with multiple lenders at once, without impacting your credit score, by using WalletHub’s free pre-qualification tool.
  • Raise your income. While this is easier said than done, getting a little extra money by working longer hours, switching to a higher-paying job, getting a raise or starting a business on the side can help to offset your low credit score. You still won’t get the best rates on the market, but you’ll have a better chance of not being charged the lender’s highest APR.
  • Consider credit unions. Credit unions are often more willing than banks or online lenders to offer loans to people with bad credit. You can check out credit unions in your area or apply with one that lets anyone join.
  • Use the loan to improve your credit. Once you get a debt consolidation loan, make sure to pay on time every month, and pay more than the minimum if possible to get debt-free sooner. The positive information reported to the credit bureaus each month will help improve your credit score so that you can qualify for better terms on future financial products. It’s also a good idea to take a look at why you got into debt in the first place and adjust your spending habits if spending excessively was the main reason.

**Your loan amount will be determined based on your credit, income, and certain other information provided in your loan application. Not all applicants will qualify for the full amount. Minimum loan amounts vary by state: GA ($3,100), HI ($2,100), MA ($7,000).

The full range of available rates varies by state. A representative example of payment terms for a Personal Loan is as follows: a borrower receives a loan of $10,000 for a term of 60 months, with an interest rate of 21.58% and a 9.84% origination fee of $984, for an APR of 26.82%. In this example, the borrower will receive $9016 and will make 60 monthly payments of $275. APR is calculated based on 5-year rates offered in December 2023. There is no downpayment and no prepayment penalty. Your APR will be determined based on your credit, income, and certain other information provided in your loan application. Not all applicants will be approved.

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About the author

4 Best Debt Consolidation Loans for Bad Credit [April 2024] (2)

Grace Enfield

Grace Enfield covered personal loans for WalletHub. Grace graduated with honors and received a B.A. in Journalism and a minor in Digital Media Studies from the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities.

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Debt Consolidation Loans for Bad Credit FAQ

Comparing Personal Loans can be tough. But you've got the knowledgeable WalletHub community on your side. Other consumers have a wealth of knowledge to share, and we encourage everyone to do so while respecting our content guidelines. Please keep in mind that editorial and user-generated content on this page is not reviewed or otherwise endorsed by any financial institution. In addition, it is not the financial institution's responsibility to ensure all posts and questions are answered.

12

Upvotes

What credit score do I need for a debt consolidation loan?

Reply

12

Adam McCann, Financial Writer

@adam_mcan

You need a minimum credit score between 580 and 680 to get a debt consolidation loan that offers reasonable rates with most lenders. The higher your credit score is, the lower your APR is likely to be - and the main purpose of a debt consolidation loan is to get a lower APR for your debt.

You can use WalletHub's free personal loan pre-qualification tool to see your debt consolidation loan options with your current credit score. That will make it easier to decide whether getting a debt consolidation loan is worthwhile. You can also see the minimum credit score required by the biggest personal loan providers below.

Credit Score Needed for a Debt Consolidation Loan by Lender

Lender

Credit Score Needed

SoFi

680

American Express

660

Discover

660

LightStream

660

Wells Fargo

660

Best Egg

640

Payoff

640

LendingPoint

620

LendingClub

600

Avant

580

Upgrade

580

Prosper

560

Upstart

300


Note: The credit scores in the table above are from either the lender or multiple third-party sources.

The best candidates to get a debt consolidation loan are naturally people with good or excellent credit. They can qualify for rates as low as 4.99% in some cases. That said, it is possible to get a debt consolidation loan with fair or bad credit, and it can make a lot of sense if your existing debts are things like payday loans, which charge extremely high fees and interest.

The most expensive personal loan APRs tend to be around 36%. If you assume that you will only qualify for a lender's maximum APR, and that will still save you a significant amount of money, then it's worth considering a debt consolidation loan even if you have a relatively low credit score.

7

22

Upvotes

Can you get a personal loan with a 500 credit score?

Reply

22

Rick Bormin, Personal Loans Moderator

@rhandoo2020

Yes, you can get a personal loan with a credit score of 500 if you have a steady source of income and you choose the right lender. The best way to get a personal loan with a 500 credit score is to start by checking to see if you pre-qualify with major lenders, which will tell you whether you're eligible without affecting your credit.

If you don't pre-qualify, your best options may be to apply with a no-credit-check lender or...

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3

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17

Upvotes

What is a hardship loan?

Reply

17

Grace Enfield, Content Writer

@grace_enfield

A hardship loan is a loan you take out in a time of serious financial need or to cover an unexpected shortfall, such as when you lose your job or get hit with medical bills. Some options to consider when you need a hardship loan include 401(k) loans, personal loans, home equity loans, and loans from friends or family.

Types of Hardship Loans to Consider in 2024

  1. 401(k) loans

    You can take money...

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16

Upvotes

Which type of loan can be used for debt consolidation?

Reply

16

Grace Enfield, Content Writer

@grace_enfield

The types of loans that can be used for debt consolidation are unsecured personal loans, secured personal loans and home equity loans. You can also use other methods to consolidate debt, such as a balance transfer credit card or a home equity line of credit.

Types of Loans Used to Consolidate Debt

Unsecured personal loans

An unsecured personal loan is the best way to consolidate debt because you do not have to put anything...

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26

Upvotes

What are the best direct lenders offering debt consolidation loans for bad credit?

Reply

26

Adam McCann, Financial Writer

@adam_mcan

The best debt consolidation loans for bad credit from direct lenders include personal loans from Achieve Personal Loans, LendingPoint and Avant. All of these companies are direct lenders because they provide loan funds directly to their customers, rather than simply matching them up with other lenders (e.g. LendingClub). However, Achieve Personal Loans is the only one of the three that offers direct debt consolidation in the sense that it will send payments to your old...

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1

Ask the Experts

To help people learn more about debt consolidation loans for bad credit, WalletHub's editors posed the following questions to a panel of experts. You can meet our panelists and read their responses below.

  • What advice do you have for people with bad credit who are in the market for a debt consolidation loan?
  • Do you think debt consolidation is a good move for someone with bad credit?

4 Best Debt Consolidation Loans for Bad Credit [April 2024] (3)

Sean Spence
Adjunct Professor of Finance, Costello College of Business – George Mason University
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4 Best Debt Consolidation Loans for Bad Credit [April 2024] (4)

Radhika Duggal
Adjunct Assistant Professor, New York University - Chief Marketing Officer at Super.com
Read More

4 Best Debt Consolidation Loans for Bad Credit [April 2024] (5)

Matthew L. Jaramillo
Ph.D., M.B.A., Sr. Lecturer of Finance – Director of Chadwick Student Financial Advisors – Department of Economics and Finance, Nelson Rusche College Of Business – Stephen F. Austin State University
Read More

4 Best Debt Consolidation Loans for Bad Credit [April 2024] (6)

Douglas Stives
M.B.A., C.P.A., Professor of Accounting at Monmouth University
Read More

4 Best Debt Consolidation Loans for Bad Credit [April 2024] (7)

Mike Ozlanski
Ph.D., CPA, Allen C. Tressler Associate Professor of Accounting & Department Head – Sigmund Weis School of Business, Susquehanna University
Read More

4 Best Debt Consolidation Loans for Bad Credit [April 2024] (8)

Elaine Luther
Professor of Business Management in the Rowland School of Business at Point Park University
Read More

More Experts

Important Disclosures

* We work hard to show you up-to-date product terms, however, this information does not originate from us and thus, we do not guarantee its accuracy. Actual terms may vary from the estimates. Before submitting an application, always verify all terms and conditions with the offering institution. Please let us know if you notice any differences.

Ad Disclosure: The personal loan offers that appear on this site originate from paying advertisers. Advertising may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear, or whether an offer is "featured"). At WalletHub we try to present a wide array of offers, but our offers do not represent all financial services companies or products.

Editorial and user-generated content on this page is not provided, commissioned, reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any company.

4 Best Debt Consolidation Loans for Bad Credit [April 2024] (2024)

FAQs

4 Best Debt Consolidation Loans for Bad Credit [April 2024]? ›

Every lender sets its own guidelines when it comes to minimum credit score requirements for debt consolidation loans. However, it's likely lenders will require a minimum score between 580 and 680.

What is the lowest credit score to get a consolidation loan? ›

Every lender sets its own guidelines when it comes to minimum credit score requirements for debt consolidation loans. However, it's likely lenders will require a minimum score between 580 and 680.

Can I get debt consolidation with bad credit? ›

Even with debt consolidation loans for bad credit, approval isn't guaranteed. Lenders typically look at multiple factors when evaluating a loan application. For example, you might be denied if you don't meet income requirements or if your debt-to-income ratio is too high.

What is the best company to consolidate debt? ›

Summary: Best Debt Consolidation Loans of May 2024
CompanyForbes Advisor RatingCurrent APR Range
Universal Credit4.011.69% to 35.99%
Happy Money4.011.72% to 17.99%
Achieve4.08.99% to 35.99%
Discover4.07.99% to 24.99%
2 more rows
6 days ago

What is the easiest loan to get with bad credit? ›

Easiest personal loans to get
  • Best for bad credit: Avant Personal Loans.
  • Best for flexible terms: OneMain Financial Personal Loans.
  • Best for no credit history: Upstart Personal Loans.
  • Best for fast approval: LendingPoint Personal Loans.
  • Best for small loan amounts: Oportun.

What is a hardship loan? ›

Hardship personal loans are a type of personal loan that is designed to help you overcome financial difficulties. This type of loan is generally offered by small banks and credit unions, and has lower interest rates, lower maximum loan amounts, and shorter repayment periods than standard personal loans.

Can I get a government loan to pay off debt? ›

While there are no government debt relief grants, there is free money to pay other bills, which should lead to paying off debt because it frees up funds. The biggest grant the government offers may be housing vouchers for those who qualify.

Why do I get denied for debt consolidation? ›

Insufficient credit history or poor payment history can also lead to a denial of a debt consolidation loan. Remember, your payment history is the most important factor in your credit score, comprising 35% of your FICO® Score. Even one missed payment can damage your score.

Is national debt relief worth it? ›

In general, National Debt Relief has strong customer reviews. The company is accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and it has an A+ rating. On TrustPilot, it has a 4.7 out of five rating based on over 39,000 reviews.

Which bank is best for consolidation loans? ›

  • SoFi. Best debt consolidation loan. ...
  • Oportun. Best for borrowers with bad credit. ...
  • Best Egg. Best for secured loans. ...
  • PenFed Credit Union. Best for low rates and fees. ...
  • Laurel Road. Best for pre-qualification. ...
  • OneMain Financial. Best for fast funding. ...
  • LendingClub. Best for direct creditor payments. ...
  • First Tech Federal Credit Union.
May 10, 2024

What is a better option than debt consolidation? ›

Balance transfer credit cards, home equity loans and home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) are ways to consolidate that may be less expensive in some cases. Debt settlement and bankruptcy are costly options both in terms of money and financial health, and should be carefully researched.

What is a good APR for debt consolidation loan? ›

Current debt consolidation loan interest rates
Borrower credit ratingScore rangeEstimated APR
Excellent720-850.12.37%.
Good690-719.14.87%.
Fair630-689.18.40%.
Bad300-629.21.93%.
May 1, 2024

What is the best debt relief company? ›

Summary: Best Debt Relief Companies of May 2024
CompanyForbes Advisor RatingLearn more CTA below text
National Debt Relief4.5On Nationaldebtrelief.com's Website
Pacific Debt Relief4.1
Accredited Debt Relief4.0On Accredited Debt Relief's Website
Money Management International4.0Read Our Full Review
3 more rows
May 1, 2024

Why am I being denied for consolidation loan? ›

Insufficient credit history or poor payment history can also lead to a denial of a debt consolidation loan. Remember, your payment history is the most important factor in your credit score, comprising 35% of your FICO® Score. Even one missed payment can damage your score.

Is it hard to get approved for debt consolidation? ›

If you have excellent credit, high income and are borrowing a relatively small amount of money, it can be easy to get approved for a debt consolidation loan. On the other hand, if you have poor credit, low income and are applying for a large loan, it may be difficult to get approved.

Can debt consolidation be declined? ›

If your debt consolidation loan was rejected, it means lenders felt uncomfortable with your ability to repay what you borrow. Look at things from a lender's point of view. They want to know what are the chances you will pay the money back?

Can I get a $5000 personal loan with a 600 credit score? ›

Yes, you can get a personal loan with a 600 credit score — there are even lenders that specialize in offering fair credit personal loans. But keep in mind that if you have a credit score between 580 and 669, you'll generally be considered a “subprime” borrower — meaning lenders might see you as a more risky investment.

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