Mar
03
2020

How to Get Approved for a Personal Loan

By | Budgeting & Goals, Debt Payoff, personal_loan | No Comments

Sometimes, even careful planning and saving aren’t enough to prepare you for the expenses that lie ahead. Maybe fall is setting in and a chill is starting to set in the air. Perfect time for the furnace to break down. Or maybe summer is just around the corner and you realize the pool liner needs to be repaired.

These unplanned costs could be inconvenient and expensive. While you may not have experienced these exact scenarios, you may have felt the pinch in another way. When that happens, the pressure to make ends meet may be stressful. Taking on additional debt is not ideal, but if you don’t have the cash you need when an emergency strikes, there are options.

Personal loans, a sometimes underrated choice, are one way to pay for an unexpected expense or cover a big-ticket purchase. This type of loan may be taken out for lots of personal reasons. Personal loans are typically funded as one lump sum and could be used for things like consolidating credit card debt, paying medical bills, funding a big move or home remodel, paying for a wedding, or taking a dream vacation.

Broadly, there are two types of personal loans—secured and unsecured. A secured loan is backed by something of value, like a car or house, which is used as collateral. Should the borrower fail to make payments on the loan, the lender can seize the collateral. Usually, the borrower will receive calls and a debt collection letter as a warning before this happens.

An unsecured loan isn’t tied to an asset, which could make them riskier options for lenders. Because they’re not secured by an underlying asset, unsecured personal loans typically have higher interest rates than car or home equity loans, but lower rates than credit cards.

Of course, saving up an “emergency fund” for unexpected expenses is preferable to taking on debt. However, if you find yourself about to charge a massive sum on your credit card, and you know you won’t be able to pay it off within a reasonable period of time, a personal loan with no prepayment penalty could be a viable alternative.

Applying for an unsecured personal loan is typically pretty straightforward. But you’ll want to do your research, and you might want to make sure you have your financial ducks in a row to help your chances of approval and qualifying for the best possible terms and interest rate.

While everyone’s needs and financial picture are different, and this article is in no way a guarantee of qualifying for a personal loan, the application process can look very similar. So here’s what getting approved for a personal loan can look like:

Steps of the Personal Loan Application Process

The application process for a personal loan might seem more daunting than it actually is. Yes, you need to know a few things about your current financial situation (and your financial history).

But it really shouldn’t take long to get your facts straight. You might find it helpful to follow these steps when you start the process for a personal loan:

1. Figuring Out How Much You Would like to Borrow

First, you might want to make sure you’re realistically estimating the amount you’ll need. Borrowing more than you need might not be a great idea, since you’ll be paying interest on the lump sum you take out.

On the other hand, you wouldn’t want to borrow less than you need, only to end up resorting to using a credit card to make up for the difference. Be honest with yourself and your lender, and work with them to find the amount, interest rate, and term that works for you.

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2. Checking Your Credit

Although different lenders can use various scoring models, you might want to pull your current credit score and assess how strong it is (generally, a FICO® Score above 740 is considered very good—and above 800 is “exceptional”—but broadly, many lenders consider a score of 670 or above to indicate solid creditworthiness). This might be one of the main factors lenders consider when considering you for a personal loan, so it’s good to know your score.

3. Getting Pre-Qualified

Many lenders these days allow you to quickly see if you pre-qualify for a loan. This process could show you how much the loan would potentially be approved for, what your repayment terms and your interest rate could possibly be.

You’ll often provide basic information such as your address, income, and Social Security number. Often, lenders may do a soft credit check at that time that doesn’t affect your credit score1.

Once you see a pre-qualified quote from a couple of different lenders, you could compare the interest rates and monthly payments you’re offered before choosing the best option for your needs.

These fees could add up quickly. Factoring them in now might help you avoid any surprises down the line. Understanding the true cost of the loan, beyond just the interest rate, might help you make a decision about which loan is the best fit for you.

4. Submitting Your Application

The final step is to apply for the loan. Each lender has their own requirements for documentation and qualifying.

For many lenders, you’ll need to submit things like a photo ID, proof of address, and proof of employment or income. At this stage, the lender will do a hard credit check, which involves collecting information from all three major credit bureaus and could affect your credit score.

Ways to Help Improve Loan Approval Chances

You likely want to be approved for the best loan terms and interest rate possible. And that probably means putting your best foot forward on your application. Here are some ideas you might want to consider when applying for a personal loan:

1. Checking Your Credit History

If your credit score is shaky, the time to take action is ideally before you apply for any loan.

As a first step, you might consider requesting your credit report , which you can do for free annually . You could check for any errors or problem areas you want to work on. If you find any issues, you might want to report them to the credit bureau.

There are steps you could take to help with any misinformation reported around late payments or delinquencies. Filing a credit dispute is one idea, but keep in mind that fixing issues on your credit report could take time. It may be a good idea to do your research and understand the process.

2. Keeping a Stable Job

Before issuing a personal loan, lenders consider factors like your employment and income. Essentially, a lender is taking a risk by letting you borrow money, so they want to be confident you have the resources to pay it back.

Lenders might also be looking at how much you make and how stable your job is. So if you plan to apply for a loan, this might not be the time to change careers. Normally, changing (improving) jobs or income at the same company is not an issue. So if it’s the right time at work, you could ask for a raise.

3.Adding a Co-Borrower

If you don’t have great credit or don’t make very much, adding a co-borrower to your loan might increase your chances of approval. They might also help you get a better interest rate and repayment terms.

A co-borrower is someone who agrees to pay the loan if you default, and will be responsible for any missed payments.

That’s because a co-borrower is someone who takes the loan out with you—their name is on the loan, and you both have an obligation to repay it. Adding a strong co-borrower may improve your chances of qualifying for the personal loan that fits your needs.

Ready to Apply for a Personal Loan?

If you’re on the hunt for the right personal loan, consider SoFi. Qualifying borrowers may be eligible for up to $100,000, depending on their needs. The application process can be completed entirely online, and you’ll have access to customer support seven days a week.

There are absolutely no fees required when you borrow a personal loan with SoFi—no prepayment penalty fees.

If you unexpectedly lose your job, you could qualify to pause your payments with SoFi’s Unemployment Protection Program for up to 12 months, though interest will continue to accrue.

SoFi could even help you in your job search with benefits like career services. To get an idea of what your rate and terms could look like, you can pre-qualify and see your rate in just a couple minutes.

Check your rates for a SoFi personal loan today. SoFi offers loans with zero fees and various repayment options.

Checking Your Rates: To check the rates and terms you may qualify for, SoFi conducts a soft credit pull that will not affect your credit score. However, if you choose a product and continue your application, we will request your full credit report from one or more consumer reporting agencies, which is considered a hard credit pull and may affect your credit.

External Websites: The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third-party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. Links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Disclaimer: Many factors affect your credit scores and the interest rates you may receive. SoFi is not a Credit Repair Organization as defined under federal or state law, including the Credit Repair Organizations Act. SoFi does not provide “credit repair” services or advice or assistance regarding “rebuilding” or “improving” your credit record, credit history, or credit rating. For details, see the FTC’s website .

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

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Mar
03
2020

How a Parent Plus Loan Can Lower the Cost of College

By | Budgeting & Goals, Family Finances, Life & Career, Student Loans, student_loan | No Comments

When children first learn to walk, their parents usually hold their hand until they get the hang of it.

When children learn to ride a bike, their parents often run alongside them holding on until they get control.

In the same way, when children go off to college, parents typically want to help with the costs. College is expensive, after all, and they don’t want their kids to be buried in student debt before they ever really get on their own two feet.

So many parents offer all the support they can—even if they have to borrow the money. Which is why the government created Parent PLUS Loans—federal student loans that are extended directly to biological or adoptive parents (and, in some cases, stepparents) of undergraduate students.

The loans, which allow parents to borrow up to the cost of attendance at their student’s school, minus any other forms of financial aid received by the student, are relatively easy to get. They do require a credit check, but many private lenders have stricter eligibility criteria.

Direct PLUS Loans for parents, commonly called Parent PLUS Loans, are popular. According to the National Student Loan Data System, as of the second quarter of 2019, at least 3.5 million borrowers currently owe a collective $93.9 billion in Parent PLUS Loans.

Unfortunately, that’s becoming a problem. The Brookings Institute reported at the end of 2018 (the most recent report from them on the topic) that repayment outcomes for parent borrowers appear to be getting worse as balances continue to increase.

“Many parents supporting college students are saddled with large debt burdens,” the report states, “ultimately repaying just enough to avoid default and sometimes owing significantly more than their initial balance.”

Well-intentioned borrowing can end up backfiring on parents, who could be making loan payments for years or even decades, depending on the student loan repayment plan they choose.

That might not seem like a big deal when the loan is new—especially if the parents are nowhere near retirement age. But as the payments drag on, long after those children are settled and doing fine—perhaps with families of their own—it might make sense to rethink the debt and how it should be repaid.

For some parents, that could mean refinancing the student loans with a private lender, with the goal of getting lower monthly payment or a lower interest rate.

Some private lenders, like SoFi, allow the child to take out a refinanced loan to pay off the Parent PLUS loan. Or parents could set up an arrangement to have the child pay the Parent PLUS loan once they graduate from college.

Either way, Parent PLUS Loan refinancing is an option for getting that debt load under control. Here’s a guide to some key pros and cons and some steps to getting started:

1. So What Exactly Is Parent PLUS Loan Refinancing?

Parent PLUS Loans are federal loans offered to parents of undergraduate students. Refinancing these loans means consolidating them into one new loan from a private lender, ideally with a lower interest rate and/or better loan terms.

2. What Are the Benefits of Parent PLUS Loan Refinancing?

There are few reasons Parent PLUS Loan refinancing can make sense for a family. Moving to one manageable payment with a potentially lower interest rate might make it possible to pay off the loan faster and for less money overall.

Direct PLUS Loans typically have a higher interest rate than other federal student loans, and competitive private lenders (including SoFi) can potentially offer lower rates to qualifying borrowers.

3. Is There a Downside to Refinancing?

Yes. Federal Parent PLUS Loans come with certain borrower protections that private loans don’t offer. Payments can be deferred, and some or all of the debt may be discharged in the event of parental disability or bankruptcy or if the school closed.

(To make Parent PLUS Loans eligible for income-contingent repayment forgiveness—the only income-driven repayment plan Parent PLUS Loans are eligible for—the loans must be consolidated with a Direct Consolidation Loan—see the next topic.)

These federal benefits will be lost when refinancing to a private loan. However, some lenders offer their own benefits.

4. What’s the Difference Between a Federal Consolidation Loan and Private Loan Refinancing?

A federal Direct Consolidation Loan allows borrowers to combine multiple federal education loans into one more manageable payment.

And it may give borrowers access to additional federal loan repayment plans (including the income-contingent repayment plan). But it’s generally aimed at lowering payments by lengthening the amount of time agreed upon to pay the loan—not by lowering the interest rate.

The new fixed interest rate on a Direct Consolidation Loan is the weighted average of the interest rates on the loans that are being consolidated, rounded up to the nearest eighth of a percent. Also, parents can’t put a federal consolidation loan in their child’s name or transfer their debt to their child. So it is not the same as refinancing a Parent PLUS Loan through a private lender.

5. What Should Families Consider Before Moving Forward With Parent PLUS Loan Refinancing?

When refinancing, the new interest rate and overall eligibility for the loan may be determined by a number of factors. A bumpy credit history can affect a person’s ability to refinance.

Refinancing can be an especially attractive option for those with a steady income and strong credit histories. A borrower’s debt-to-income ratio and ability to pay when making lending decisions are typically also factors, but every lender has different criteria—so shopping around to compare offers is wise.

6. How Can Parents Get a Refinanced Loan in Their Name?

Parents can research the best refinancing interest rates, loan terms, and other benefits online, then apply for a new loan.

If the application is accepted, parents can use it to pay off the Parent PLUS Loan, then begin making scheduled payments to the new lender. The child can make payments on it if they choose as well, but the loan will still be in the parents’ names.

7. Can Parents Use Parent PLUS Loan Refinancing to Transfer That Debt Into the Child’s Name?

The short answer is “no.” The longer answer is, “but there’s another option.”

There’s no federal repayment program that will allow you to transfer your Parent PLUS Loan to your child. If the child is offering (or, at least, willing) to take over the debt, however—and if they have the means to make the payments—refinancing with a private lender can make that possible. In this case, it’s the child, not the parent, who applies for the loan.

With a few private lenders (SoFi included), your child can take out a refinanced loan and use it to pay off their parents’ Parent PLUS Loan. Your child still has to qualify and provide additional documentation (check with each lender to understand what’s required). And just like any would-be borrower, a solid credit history and a secure income (among other factors) help determine the interest rate offered.

If the child’s refinanced loan application is accepted, they can take over their parent’s PLUS loan and start paying it off. If there are any bumps in the road for the child, such as limited work history or adverse credit, parents could agree to co-sign for the new refinanced loan.

It’s important to remember, though, that a co-signer is promising to pay off the debt if the borrower stops making payments. So, parents who co-sign are still on the hook if their child can’t come up with the money every month.

If that scenario has your head spinning, it’s understandable. Refinancing might not be right for every family. But if you’re one of the many Parent PLUS borrowers who ends up with more debt than expected, refinancing to a private loan could be an option worth considering.

Interested in refinancing your Parent PLUS Loan? SoFi offers competitive interest rates, member benefits, no fees, and a quick and easy online application process.

SoFi Student Loan Refinance
If you are a federal student loan borrower, you should consider all of your repayment opportunities including the opportunity to refinance your student loan debt at a lower APR or to extend your term to achieve a lower monthly payment. Please note that once you refinance federal student loans you will no longer be eligible for current or future flexible payment options available to federal loan borrowers, including but not limited to income-based repayment plans or extended repayment plans.


External Websites: The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third-party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. Links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement.

Disclaimer: Many factors affect your credit scores and the interest rates you may receive. SoFi is not a Credit Repair Organization as defined under federal or state law, including the Credit Repair Organizations Act. SoFi does not provide “credit repair” services or advice or assistance regarding “rebuilding” or “improving” your credit record, credit history, or credit rating. For details, see the FTC’s website .

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

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Jan
28
2020

How to Escape High-Interest Credit Card Debt

By | Budgeting & Goals, Debt Payoff, personal_loan | No Comments

You had a long day—there was a crisis at work, you have a major school assignment, or one of your kids has a cold. Exhausted, you’re finally plumping up your pillow, ready to catch some Zs. But sleep won’t come. Why? Because you’re stressing out about your credit card debt.

You aren’t alone. Americans are carrying more credit card debt than they ever have before, and as of January 2020, the average credit card APR, or annual percentage rate, on new offers is 17.30% (and has been hovering around 17% and 18% for the last six months).

When it comes to debt, credit card debt is sometimes classified as “bad debt,” while student loans or a mortgage may be categorized as “good debt.” This is because student loans or a mortgage loan imply that your debt is an investment in something—whether in a house that could appreciate in value or an education that can boost your income. In contrast, credit card debt is rarely an investment. And because of the way credit card interest is charged, it can end up costing you a lot.

Not only can credit card debt mount quickly, but a large credit card balance may adversely impact your credit score. And a credit score plays a big role in our lives in terms of qualifying for mortgages, car loans, and apartment leases, among other things.

If you feel underwater when it comes to carrying a credit card balance, it’s good to know that there are tools you can use to help get out of high interest credit card debt.

Unfortunately, there is no magical quick fix to help you escape credit card debt, but there are actionable steps you can take to reduce and eventually eliminate your credit card debt. It can take some time and effort, but being free of the emotional and financial burden credit card debt can create is often worth it.

The Problem with Carrying Credit Card Debt

Having credit cards is not an inherently bad thing. They help you establish a credit history, which in turn can help you towards owning a car, a home, or your own business. But on the other hand, it’s not hard to amass a large amount of credit card debt.

This is because for every billing cycle where you’re not able to pay the statement balance in full, you’re charged interest. This might show up on your credit card statement as a “purchase interest charge.”

The interest you’re charged on a credit card compounds. Compound interest means interest is calculated not only on the principal amount owed, but also the accumulated interest from previous pay periods.

Essentially, it means your interest is earning interest. Compound interest can pile up quickly, to the point where it might feel like you’re paying financial catch up month after month.

By the time you pay off your credit card debt, you could not only be paying off your purchases, but you could also be paying every interest charge you’ve incurred on that balance.

Getting Out of High Interest Credit Card Debt

Because interest charges grow your credit card debt, it can be hard to get rid of it once and for all. And as already noted, credit card interest rates run pretty high—averaging between 17% and 18% currently. That is because credit cards are considered to be “unsecured” debt vs a mortgage loan which is recorded as a lien on the home. To put that in perspective, as of January 2020, mortgage interest rates are around 3.84%.

So the interest you’re paying on a credit card is approximately four times as much as the interest you would pay on a mortgage. Reducing your credit card debt comes down to the financial strategies you use. Here are three ways you can potentially manage your credit card debt, and in time, completely pay it off.

There’s no single right way to pay off debt, and certain methods might suit you better than others. While paying off high interest debt is a numbers game, it’s also an emotional one.

The best method may be the one you‘ll likely stick to—the debt repayment method that motivates you. If you want to repay your debt, it may not matter which method you select, as long as it helps you stay on track to repay.

To get an idea of the total amount of interest you are likely to pay on your debt, you can consult our Credit Card Interest Calculator.

1. Using the Snowball Method

The snowball method is a popular debt payoff option—people use the snowball method to pay off their student loans, too. For credit card debt, the snowball method works if you have debt across multiple credit cards. First, you’d make a list of all of your credit card debts and put them in order of the smallest to largest balance.

Then, you would focus on paying off the smallest balance first (while making the minimum payments on your other credit cards). Once you’ve paid your smallest balance, you could focus on the next smallest balance, and so on.

By paying the smallest balance first, you will potentially gain momentum that may motivate you to pay off your other debts. Thus, your effort “snowballs.”

Say, for example, you have the following loans:

•   $1,200 medical bill with no interest and a $150 monthly payment

•   $11,000 student loan with 5.5% interest and a $235 monthly payment

•   $15,000 credit card balance with 16% interest and a $400 monthly payment

Using the snowball method, you’d work to tackle the medical bill first, while still paying the monthly minimums on the rest of the debt. Once you pay off the medical bill, you could start contributing its monthly payment, plus additional spare funds, towards the student loan, and so forth. The small debt repayment snowballs into the larger debts.

Some argue that the snowball method isn’t the most efficient way to pay off debt, but in some cases it may be the most effective. The snowball method could dictate paying off a small no-interest loan in its entirety even if a high-interest credit card carried a higher balance.

But, for some people, paying off those small debts is a motivating experience, and can help them stay on track. If those small wins make a difference for your mentality, the snowball method could be for you.

2. Tackling the Highest Interest Debt First

If the snowball method doesn’t appeal to you, you can try tackling your highest interest debt first, sometimes called the debt avalanche. This is similar to the snowball method, except you start with your highest interest debt instead.

A good first step might be making a list of all of your credit card debts and their interest rates. Then, you could pay off the credit cards with the highest APR first, while making the minimum payments on your other debts.

When the highest-interest card is paid off, you could tackle the credit card with the second highest APR, and so on—until your credit card debt is completely paid off. If you choose this payoff method, the goal is to reduce how much you spend on interest overall.

So using our earlier example, you have the following loans:

•   $1,200 medical bill with no interest and a $150 monthly payment

•   $11,000 student loan with 5.5% interest and a $235 monthly payment

•   $15,000 credit card balance with 16% interest and a $400 monthly payment

In this case, you’d throw your support towards paying off the credit card balance first. Once it’s paid off, you’d allocate that $400 a month towards the student loan, making the repayment much faster with additional payments each month. Finally, you’d tackle the medical bill.

This method focuses on building momentum, leading to an “avalanche” of repayments once you really get moving. For some, this method can be discouraging, because, unlike the snowball method, you are budgeting for the long game. However, once the wins come, they may avalanche much faster.

3. Consolidating Your Credit Card Debt into a Personal Loan

If you are paying off several credit cards every month, it may be overwhelming. But if you consolidate all your debt into a personal loan, you’re likely only making one payment each month.

Here’s how it works: You’d take out a personal loan, consolidate all your credit card debt with it, and then you pay back the single personal loan.

The best part? Personal loans typically come with a lower interest rate than your credit cards, and you may be able to set more manageable terms with your lender. And since you’ll only have one payment every month, and you can usually choose a fixed interest rate, it may be easier to keep track of.

Using the above example debt profile, you could end up putting your medical bill and credit card debt into one monthly payment, making a simple single transaction for those two debts each month. (You can’t typically use a personal loan to pay for education debt, but you can refinance your student loans or consolidate them, hopefully, for better rates and terms.)

In paying your credit card debts off with a personal loan, you can consolidate into one simple payment, and possibly save money by potentially paying a lower APR.

SoFi offers personal loans with no fees required. You can apply online in just minutes and manage your payments online as well. Additionally, you’ll have access to customer support, 24/7. With a SoFi personal loan, depending upon the terms, you could potentially get out of debt faster and with less stress—setting you up for a better financial future.

Consolidating credit cards with a personal loan can help improve your financial position. Check out SoFi personal loans.

External Websites: The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third-party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. Links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Disclaimer: Many factors affect your credit scores and the interest rates you may receive. SoFi is not a Credit Repair Organization as defined under federal or state law, including the Credit Repair Organizations Act. SoFi does not provide “credit repair” services or advice or assistance regarding “rebuilding” or “improving” your credit record, credit history, or credit rating. For details, see the FTC’s website .

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

SoFi Student Loan Refinance
If you are a federal student loan borrower, you should consider all of your repayment opportunities including the opportunity to refinance your student loan debt at a lower APR or to extend your term to achieve a lower monthly payment. Please note that once you refinance federal student loans you will no longer be eligible for current or future flexible payment options available to federal loan borrowers, including but not limited to income-based repayment plans or extended repayment plans.


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Jan
28
2020
woman with smartphone and credit card

Getting Approved for a Personal Loan Quickly

By | Budgeting & Goals, personal_loan | No Comments

Emergencies happen. Even with the most carefully planned budget, you can run up against unexpected costs, fees, or expenses you didn’t anticipate. You might have to pay off unexpected medical expenses or cover moving costs. Sometimes it’s not even necessarily an emergency, but you need money and you need it as quickly as possible.

The thing is, most of us don’t have it—only 40% of Americans are able to cover an unexpected $1,000 expense without resorting to credit. In some cases, a personal loan can provide an alternate strategy for filling in financial gaps. Credit cards often carry high interest rates, the average annual percentage rate (APR) on existing credit card accounts is around 14.14% , according to WalletHub. For some borrowers, a personal loan can offer a lower interest option for filling in financial gaps or paying for a large expense.

While personal loans can help someone get funds, the loan would still accrue interest. Relying on an emergency fund as a first option for unexpected expenses might be a more responsible alternative. But in cases where an emergency fund or long-term savings plan aren’t enough to help make ends meet, a personal loan could provide a lower interest option than credit cards.

There are plenty of other reasons to consider a personal loan. Maybe you want to lock down a home remodel or consolidate high-interest credit card debt. If you’re looking to speed up the approval process for a personal loan there are a few tips that could help you qualify more quickly.

If you’re hoping for swift approval on your personal loan application, there are at least two stages of the process to consider:

•   How you stack up as an applicant

•   The lender you’re borrowing from

If you want to get approved quickly for a personal loan, you’ll first want to get your finances organized and then you’ll want to compare various lenders’ approval times.

Setting Yourself Up as a Better Personal Loan Candidate

There are specific qualifying criteria most lenders, including SoFi, look at when considering approving a personal loan application. Lenders typically review at least some of the following borrower information when reviewing an application for a personal loan:

•   Credit history, score and debt

•   Proof of ongoing stable income

In order to increase their chances of getting approved quickly, borrowers typically want to put their best financial foot forward. That means showing that they have steady income, an unblemished financial history, and a solid credit score.

It’s worth noting that there are a variety of different scoring models and each lender might have their own criteria for reviewing a potential borrowers credit. With that in mind, Experian does offer some insight into interpreting credit scores—generally a score FICO® Score above 670 can be considered “good,” above 740 as “very good,” and above 800 as “exceptional.”

But credit score is just a portion of the information a lender will need. While it is usually a primary factor, it’s likely not the only factor that will determine if your application is approved or not.

To make the application process a little easier, you can assemble the financial information that might be requested. It can save time during the application process if you’ve already gotten together all the information you need to apply for a loan. To apply for an unsecured personal loan, you may need items like:

•   Proof of Identity: The exact documents requested may vary, but you might need to submit a government-issued ID such as a driver’s license, proof of your Social Security number

•   Proof of Address: Certain laws are influenced by your state of residence. Some lenders may also want to know if you rent or own a home.

•   Proof of income: Lenders want to know you can pay back your debt. Some may request your W-2 tax forms, recent pay stubs, or bank statements. Some may require verification from your employer of stated income and to confirm current employment.

Most lenders look at your credit history, credit score, income, and debt-to-income (DTI) ratio when considering your personal loan application (among other factors). Lenders use DTI ratios to get an idea of a borrower’s ability to repay a loan based on how much money a person is making compared to how much money they already owe. The ratio can be calculated by adding up the total monthly debt a person owes and then dividing that total by the individual’s gross monthly income.

The exact criteria used to determine a borrower’s creditworthiness may vary by lender. Compiling commonly reviewed information, like your credit score and DTI, ahead of actually applying, can sometimes shed light on whether you’ll be approved for a personal loan or not. Some things a lender might see as problematic include:

•   A short work or credit history

•   Low, unstable, or no income

•   High debt-to-income ratio (varies by lender)

•   Too many credit inquiries in the recent past

In addition to having all your information ready, you’ll also want to consider how much money you need to borrow. Too small, and you might not fully cover your expenses.

Too large, and you’ll have to pay interest on money you don’t even need. Knowing that magic number before you apply for a loan can save you the back and forth that could be required if you’ve been approved.

If you’re in need of money quickly, but have a less-than-strong credit history, another option may be to apply for a personal loan with a co-borrower. A co-borrower takes out a loan with you, so you’re essentially borrowing the loan together. The co-borrower is equally responsible for loan payments, and if either of you miss any payments on the loan, both of your credit scores could be impacted.

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Finding a Faster Lender

The other half of the personal loan equation is determining which type of lender works best for your needs. Not all lenders work on the same timeline, some will grant approval faster than others. But, speed can sometimes come at a premium.

Traditional banks and credit unions typically take a few days or a few weeks to review and approve applications before disbursing funds. If you have less than ideal credit and are looking for a smaller loan, you might consider shopping rates and terms at a few local lending institutions. However, if speed is required, you may be able to find faster alternatives.

There are a handful of traditional bank lenders who can approve a personal loan for well-qualified applicants in less than a week. Many quick-approval personal loan lenders, however, are online or non-traditional lenders.

With online lenders, like SoFi, funds should generally be available within a few days of approval. One of the major benefits of the online route is the fast application time. If you have all your information ready, it can be quick and easy to apply using an online form.

Since it can be easier and faster to apply for personal loans online, you might take some time to compare rates against different lenders. Another benefit of online lenders is that you can pre-qualify and see your rate before you fill out a full application.

At the pre-qualification stage, you’d usually provide some basic personal information and the lender typically performs a soft credit check to determine the amount of money you could be approved for and at what interest rate and loan term.

A soft credit check shouldn’t impact your credit score (but make sure that’s what the lender is doing during their pre-qualification check—they should make that clear).

After you have gotten quotes from a few different lenders, it’s typically easier to determine which loan meets your needs. Once you have a few different quotes, take time to compare:

•   Each lender’s terms. This includes loan terms, late fees, insufficient funds (NSF) fees, etc.

•   Repayment periods—a typical repayment term can range from 12 to 60 months depending on the lender.

•   Origination fees—some lenders may charge a one time fee up front for processing your loan application and closing the loan. Origination fees on personal loans can range from 1% to 8% of the loan amount in some instances and can typically be rolled back into the loan or paid for through the loan proceeds.

•   Any additional fees or premiums

Once you feel comfortable with the lender and their terms, then you’re probably ready to formalize the loan. As you explore personal loan options, consider a loan with SoFi where there are absolutely no fees — including no prepayment penalties or origination fees required.

Looking for a personal loan? Consider SoFi where the application process can be completed easily online.
 

Checking Your Rates: To check the rates and terms you may qualify for, SoFi conducts a soft credit pull that will not affect your credit score. However, if you choose a product and continue your application, we will request your full credit report from one or more consumer reporting agencies, which is considered a hard credit pull and may affect your credit.

External Websites: The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third-party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. Links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement.

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

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Jan
27
2020

Wedding Loans 101: Everything You Need to Know

By | Budgeting & Goals, Family Finances, Life & Career, personal_loan | No Comments

If you’re currently in the process of planning a wedding, you’re likely enjoying the endless cake samples and making difficult decisions, like whether to have a donut bar or a candy station at the reception.

Unfortunately, wedding planning isn’t just about delicious dessert samples and seating arrangement logistics.

It can be stressful, especially when it comes to figuring out how you’ll pay for all those savory and sweet treats and gift bags for your guests—let alone the rest of it like, you know, a dress, the actual reception hall, a minister, food, and an open bar if you’re lucky.

According to The Knot’s 2018 Real Weddings Survey, the costs of planning a couple’s special day now averages $33,931, though this number can vary greatly depending on where you live.

Expensive, densely populated cities like New York and Chicago will likely be more expensive than hosting a wedding in a more rural locale.

While there are ways to save on wedding costs—like cutting back on pricey place settings, keeping the wedding parties smaller, opting for a cash bar, and doing a bit of do-it-yourself craft work on flower arrangements—more couples are finding that they need a little bit of extra cash to get them through the wedding planning process. This is especially true when every vendor seems to require an immediate deposit.

That’s why some turn to wedding loans as an alternative to funding their weddings upfront.

Find a venue right out of a Pinterest post, but need a $10,000 deposit by next week to secure it?

Try on the dress of your dreams, then discover it’s $2,500 more than you have in your checking account?

Want the band of your dreams to play but need to plunk down cash to get them?

If your savings are coming up short, an unsecured loan could be just what you need to keep your dream wedding from being derailed. Here’s some more information about the ins and outs of wedding loans to help you decide if it is the right choice for your big day.

What Is a Wedding Loan?

A wedding loan doesn’t come from a wedding fairy godmother with a wave of her wand—although that would make for a better story. Instead, a wedding loan is simply a personal loan that you use to pay for wedding expenses.

So, what’s a personal loan then? A personal loan is just as the name implies—a loan you take out for (almost) any personal reason at all. You could use a personal loan for everything from renovating your home, to consolidating high-interest credit debt, to paying for a vacation or a wedding.

Personal loans are typically given out as one lump sum. For example, a person could take out a $10,000 personal loan for their wedding. They’d receive this payment upfront and could use the cash immediately.

The lender and the recipient would agree upon a repayment plan as part of the terms of the loan. These specific terms will vary by lender but, typically unsecured personal loans are paid back within one to five years.

A personal loan can be either secured or unsecured. With an unsecured personal loan, a lender won’t require a collateral asset. With a secured loan, the lender could require collateral or could require a co-signer on the loan—like a house or other asset of value.

Most lenders also allow borrowers to pay off the loan early, regardless of the loan term. That means if you happen to get a lot of cash as a wedding gift, you could use it to pay on your loan in part or in full.

Consider reviewing the terms and conditions completely before borrowing any loan, while not all lenders do, some may charge a prepayment penalty.

Variable-rate loans may also help save money on interest in the short-term, but it could rise in the long run. Fixed-rate loans mean the interest will remain the same as when the borrower signed on the dotted line, even if other interest rates shoot up faster than the price of a good DJ on a Saturday in the summer.

Considering a Personal Loan for a Wedding?

Personal loans can be a good option for those who have budgeted to pay for their wedding expenses, but just don’t have the cash on hand to cover immediate deposits or a slew of bills at once.

Maybe your parents committed to helping out with wedding costs and promised to send a cash infusion next month, but the florist whose work looks like a living Instagram photo will go with another couple if you don’t book now.

Or maybe you and your betrothed are putting aside a certain amount each month for wedding expenses, but you don’t want to put the catering deposit on your credit card because all the travel rewards points in the world will not outweigh the interest you’ll be charged.

In other words, if you have a good plan for paying your personal loan back and you just need it to bridge the gap, then a personal loan for your wedding might be perfect for you.

However, if you don’t know how you will pay off your loan but you really want a little extra room in your budget to buy that Vera Wang dress, you might want to think twice before signing on the dotted line for a personal loan.

The last thing you want to do is start your marriage off knee-deep in debt you can’t pay back, even if the pictures look amazing.

Pros and Cons of Wedding Loans

Need a little help weighing your options? Here are a few pros to getting an unsecured personal loan to help pay for your big day.

•   Personal loans are typically fast, easy ways to get some extra cash when you have to pay for deposits or cover expenses quickly for a wedding.

•   Many lenders allow you to apply for a personal loan online, making it easy and efficient to secure funding if you qualify.

•   Funds may be available in as little as one business day, depending on the lender. That way you won’t have to wait around to start putting down deposits and checking things off your wedding to-do list.

•   Personal loan lenders typically charge less interest than credit cards. This could make it a more financially viable option for those looking to pay off their vendors without paying extra in interest.

•   Personal loans are one way that could help build your credit over the long-term, if you pay them back on time, which is an excellent gift to give both you and your spouse on your wedding day. But, like all good things in life, personal loans have many downsides. Here are a few cons to be wary of before signing on the dotted line.

•   Personal loans can tempt people to spend more than they can afford. If you take one out, remember you have to pay it all back—plus interest.

•   Some personal loan lenders have prepayment or origination fees. Make sure to check the fine print before agreeing to anything.

•   It’s always a better bet to save up for anticipated expenses rather than financing them. Try to budget and save first, see if your vendors are willing to work out a payment plan, and think about what you really need versus what you want at your wedding.

•   You might be paying off your party years later, with interest. If you still feel like you need extra cash to fund your big day, check to ensure your personal loan has a lower interest rate than credit cards before taking one out.

How Much Can You Borrow for Your Wedding?

To qualify for a personal loan with a competitive rate, you’ll likely need a good credit score and a well-paying job, among other important financial factors, or potentially a co-borrower who has both of those things. Many lenders consider a good credit score to be anything above 700 , though this may vary depending on the scoring model used by the lender.

You might be able to get a loan if your score is below that, though it’s possible you’ll have to pay more in interest or you might qualify to borrow less money.

Things like how much debt you currently have, including student loans or a mortgage, can also impact how much you can borrow. At SoFi, we offer personal loans up to $100,000.

But unless you’re planning a wedding at the Plaza Hotel in Manhattan complete with champagne towers and children dressed as cherubs, it’s unlikely you’ll need that much.

Getting the Funds You Need for Your Wedding Day

Just like any loan, you need to have all your financial information and documents in order before you apply. Be sure to have things like proof of income, bank statements, information about your other debt, your Social Security number, and your identification ready.

With most online lenders, you can get pre-qualified and then decide whether to move forward with the online application. From there, you typically choose your rate, answer any additional questions, send copies of the necessary documentation, and sign the loan agreement all within a day or two.

Again, while saving up for your wedding is probably preferable to taking on debt before you say “I do,” expenses can arise that you may not expect, so knowing what your options are for personal loans can be helpful.

Don’t forget to do your research and understand everything you should be looking for in a lender so that you don’t get stuck with a loan that’s about as appealing as that ugly set of grey serving platters your Aunt Ina bought you for your wedding shower.

Ready to say “I do” to a wedding loan? Check out your options with SoFi now.

Disclaimer: Many factors affect your credit scores and the interest rates you may receive. SoFi is not a Credit Repair Organization as defined under federal or state law, including the Credit Repair Organizations Act. SoFi does not provide “credit repair” services or advice or assistance regarding “rebuilding” or “improving” your credit record, credit history, or credit rating. For details, see the FTC’s website .

External Websites: The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third-party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. Links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement.

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

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Terms and conditions apply. SOFI RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MODIFY OR DISCONTINUE PRODUCTS AND BENEFITS AT ANY TIME WITHOUT NOTICE. To qualify, a borrower must be a U.S. citizen or other eligible status, be residing in the U.S., and meet SoFi's underwriting requirements. Not all borrowers receive the lowest rate. Lowest rates reserved for the most creditworthy borrowers. If approved, your actual rate will be within the range of rates at the time of application and will depend on a variety of factors, including term of loan, evaluation of your creditworthiness, income, and other factors. If SoFi is unable to offer you a loan but matches you for a loan with a participating bank, then your rate may be outside the range of rates listed above. Rates and Terms are subject to change at any time without notice. SoFi Personal Loans can be used for any lawful personal, family, or household purposes and may not be used for post-secondary education expenses. Minimum loan amount is $5,000. The average of SoFi Personal Loans funded in 2023 was around $33K. Information current as of 2/26/24. SoFi Personal Loans originated by SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. NMLS #696891 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org). See SoFi.com/legal for state-specific license details. See SoFi.com/eligibility for details and state restrictions.

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