Looking for a debt consolidation loan with bad credit can be tricky. Even if you qualify for one, it may not be at the most competitive interest rates. That doesn’t mean you can’t find a loan and pay down your debts faster. It means you need to take a more careful look at such things as the cost of borrowing, including fees and penalties, loan duration, and how much interest you’ll pay overall.
Best Debt Consolidation Loans for Bad Credit–January 2021
| Lender | Best For | APR Range | Minimum Loan Amount | Maximum Loan Amount | Terms | Recommended Credit Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Upgrade | Best Overall | 7.99%–35.97% with autopay discount | $1,000 | $35,000 | 36–60 months | 580+ |
| Avant | Runner Up | 9.95%–35.99% | $2,000 | $35,000 | 24–60 months | 600+ |
| First Tech Federal Credit Union | Best Maximum Loan Amount | 6.70%–18% | $500 | $50,000 | 24–84 months | 580+ |
| Rocket Loans | Best for Fast Funding | 7.161%–29.99% with autopay discount | $2,000 | $45,000 | 36–60 months | 580+ |
| PenFed Credit Union | Best for Small Loans | 6.49%–17.99% | $500 | $20,000 | 6–60 months | 580+ |
Upgrade: Best Overall
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Upgrade is an online lender founded in 2017 and based in San Francisco. We rated it as the overall best lender because it offers competitive rates, fast funding, and the ability to add a cosigner. What also stands out about Upgrade are the tools it has for helping borrowers to monitor their credit and improve their overall credit situation. Rates start at 7.99%, and the maximum amount you can borrow is $35,000.
Co-signers allowed
Prequalification available
Funds available as soon as the next business day
Low maximum loan amount compared with other lenders
An origination fee of up to 8%
Late fee if a payment isn’t made within 15 days of the due date
Other important information:
- Minimum/maximum amount you can borrow – $1,000 to $35,000
- Qualification requirements – There is a minimum credit score needed to receive a loan, plus other factors such as income and debts.
- Repayment period – 36 to 60 months
- Restrictions – Borrowers need to opt into autopay to receive the lowest rates.
- Fees – Upgrade charges an origination fee of 2.9% to 8% and a $10 late payment fee.
- APR range – 7.99% to 35.97%
- Time to receive funds – You can get your money as soon as the next business day.
Read the full review: Upgrade Personal Loans
Avant: Runner Up
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Avant is an online personal loan lender that stands out because of fast funding times, the ability to refinance your loan, and minimal fees. However, it’s our runner up because of its higher starting interest rates—annual percentage rates (APRs) start at 9.95%. As with Avant, borrowers can receive up to $35,000, and there is a prequalification option. This allows you to check whether you are likely to qualify without incurring a hard credit inquiry, which can lower your credit score temporarily.
Prequalification available
No early or prepayment penalties
Funding times as soon as the next business day
Maximum loan amount lower compared with other lenders
Administrative, late, and dishonored payment fees
Higher minimum APR compared with other lenders on our list
Other important information:
- Minimum/maximum amount you can borrow – $2,000 to $35,000
- Qualification requirements – Most Avant customers have a credit score between 600 and 700. Avant also imposes income requirements to determine how much you can borrow.
- Repayment period – 24 to 60 months
- Restrictions – You can only refinance an Avant loan once.
- Fees – There is a 4.75% administrative fee that comes out of your loan directly. There are also $25 late and $15 dishonored payment fees.
- APR range – 9.95% to 35.99%
- Time to receive funds – You can get your money as quickly as the next business day.
Read the full review: Avant Personal Loans
First Tech Federal Credit Union: Best Maximum Loan Amount
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First Tech Federal Credit Union offers competitive personal loans for less than stellar credit, with rates starting at 6.70%. Though PenFed Credit Union also offers loans from $500 to $50,000, what stands out about First Tech is that its loan terms are longer, with a maximum of 84 months. As with all credit unions, you need to become a member, which you can do by joining the Financial Fitness Association or Computer History Museum.
Wide range of loan amounts, with one of the lowest and highest on our list of lenders
No application fees, origination fees, or prepayment penalties
Ability to apply with a cosigner
No prequalification available
Must be a member of the credit union to receive a loan
Charges a $25 late fee
Other important information:
- Minimum/maximum amount you can borrow – $500 to $50,000
- Qualification requirements – First Tech Credit Union will look at income, debts, and whether you have a variable bank account, and you must have reached the age of majority in your state.
- Repayment period – 24 to 84 months
- Restrictions – Borrowers need to be a member of the credit union.
- Fees – $25 for late payments and $28 for returned payments
- APR range – 6.70% to 18%
- Time to receive funds – You can receive loan proceeds as quickly as the next business day.
Read the full review: First Tech Federal Credit Union Personal Loans
Rocket Loans: Best For Fast Funding
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A division of Quicken Loans, Rocket Loans offers debt consolidation loans with rates as low as 7.161% with automatic payments and funding as soon as the same business day. Although it offers a higher minimum loan amount compared with other lenders, you can lower your rate if you sign up for automatic loan payments.
Funding as soon as the same business day
Prequalification available
Rate discount when opting into autopay
No co-signers allowed
Origination fee charged
Higher minimum loan amount compared with other lenders
Other important information:
- Minimum/maximum amount you can borrow – $2,000 to $45,000
- Qualification requirements – Applicants should have a recommended minimum credit score of 580. There may be other eligibility requirements, such as income and having reached the age of majority in your state.
- Repayment period – 36 to 60 months
- Restrictions – Co-signers are not allowed.
- Fees – There is a 1% to 6% origination fee (deducted from the loan amount) and a $15 late fee.
- APR range – 7.161% to 29.99% (lowest rate with autopay)
- Time to receive funds – You can get your money as quickly as the same business day
Read the full review: Rocket Loans Personal Loans
PenFed Credit Union: Best For Small Loans
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PenFed Credit Union offers personal loans that you can use for debt consolidation, with loan amounts starting as low as $500. Rates are competitive, which is rare for loans with a low minimum credit score requirement. Although you do need to become a member to receive funding, doing so is less restrictive than with other credit unions. You can become a PenFed member simply by joining either the Voices for America’s Troops or the National Military Family Organization.
No origination fees or prepayment penalties
Co-signers allowed
Wide range of repayment terms
Must be a member of PenFed
Extra fee to receive funds by the next business day
No prequalification option
Other important information:
- Minimum/maximum amount you can borrow – $500 to $20,000
- Qualification requirements – The recommended minimum credit score of 580 is recommended before applying for a loan. PenFed will also look at other factors, such as your income, plus your co-signer’s credit history and debts if applying with one.
- Repayment period – Six to 60 months
- Restrictions – In order for PenFed to fund your personal loan, you’ll need to become a member of the credit union.
- Fees – There is a $29 late lee, but there are no origination fees or prepayment penalties.
- APR range – 6.49% to 17.99%
- Time to receive funds – You can get your money as soon as the next business day.
Read the full review: PenFed Credit Union Personal Loans
How Can You Get a Debt Consolidation Loan With Bad Credit?
Getting a debt consolidation with bad credit may limit your choices, but it’s not impossible to find a lender. First, it’s a good idea to check your credit score to see where you stand, then look for lenders that have lower credit requirements to increase your chances of getting approved.
Even though your options may be limited, you’ll want to shop around and compare lenders to see who will offer you the best rates and terms. Then compare that to what rates you’re currently paying with existing debt to see whether it’s worth it to make the switch.
Where Can You Get a Debt Consolidation Loan With Poor Credit?
Credit unions and online lenders tend to offer better rates for those with poor credit. Credit unions are great if you’re interested in in-person service, but in most cases you’ll need to become a member (usually by paying an annual fee or opening a savings account) in order to be approved for a loan.
Online lenders, on the other hand, typically don’t require that you become a member while offering the same types of customer service online or on the phone. However, if you’re not comfortable with managing and paying your loan online, then this may not be the best choice.
What Credit Score Do You Need to Get a Debt Consolidation Loan?
Typically, the higher your credit score, the better your chances of getting a debt consolidation loan. Even though the lenders on our list require a minimum credit score of either 580 or 600, you may need to meet other requirements, such as a certain annual income and debt-to-income ratio limits, to be approved.
What Is the Best Way to Consolidate Debt?
In addition to shopping around for debt consolidation loans, one of the best ways to be approved for a competitive rate is to add a cosigner. This ideally should be someone with a good credit profile, one better than yours, whom you trust and who understands the responsibilities and consequences of cosigning a loan. Otherwise, you can work to improve your debt-to-income ratio by increasing your income or further paying down your debt before submitting an application.
Are There Alternatives to Debt Consolidation?
Here are a few options, each with its own pros and cons.
Home Equity Loan
This type of loan involves tapping into the equity of your home and can offer a low-interest rate, as it’s a secured loan. One major risk is that you’re putting up your home as collateral, which means that if you fail to repay the loan, you’re at risk of foreclosure.
Debt Management Plan (DMP)
You can work with a certified credit counselor to lower the fees with your creditors. Then you’ll consolidate your payments, making one payment to your counselor, who will then pay your creditors. This may save you money, but most counselors charge a monthly fee. Also, a DMP takes a few years to complete.
Bankruptcy
Filing bankruptcy can help you with canceling your debt or negotiating a deal with your creditors. However, you’ll damage your credit, making it much harder to be approved for certain loans in the future.
The Bottom Line
Having bad credit doesn’t mean that there aren’t any debt consolidation options for you out there. It could mean that you’ll be qualified for a higher APR than someone who is more creditworthy, but as long as the rate is lower than what you’re currently paying, it can save you hundreds, even thousands of dollars in the long run.
Compare what’s available and learn what it takes to increase your chances of approval so that you can improve your financial situation. If you find that a personal loan isn’t the best choice for you, do some research on the alternatives and see whether you’re able to take on the risk. In some cases, it’s also best to wait until your credit situation improves so that lenders are more likely to approve you for a loan with terms and rates with which you agree.
Methodology
Investopedia is dedicated to providing consumers with unbiased, comprehensive reviews of personal loan lenders for all borrowing needs. We collected over 25 data points across more than 50 lenders—including interest rates, fees, loan amounts, and repayment terms—to ensure that our content helps users make the right borrowing decision for their needs.