A personal loan for veterans offers flexible financing that you can use for almost any expense. You can find personal loans at many financial institutions, including banks, credit unions, and online lenders. Some credit unions cater exclusively to veterans, though it’s worth shopping around with multiple lenders to find the best rates and terms.
If you’re looking for financial support as you transition to civilian life, make a big purchase, consolidate high-interest debt, or pursue another goal, read on to learn about the best personal loan options for veterans.
Key Points
• Personal loans provide veterans with flexible funding for a variety of expenses.
• Fixed-rate loans ensure predictable monthly payments, which can help with budgeting.
• Competitive interest rates and fast application processes are common benefits.
• Veterans with lower credit scores can explore secured loans or cosigners.
• The application process includes a credit check and documentation submission.
How Do Personal Loans Work?
Personal loans for veterans offer funding for almost any purpose, such as a home renovation, life event, or another major purchase. You can also use a personal loan to consolidate high-interest debt. If you can qualify for a decent interest rate, you could save money on your debt and potentially pay it off faster.
With a personal loan, you’ll receive the lump-sum amount upfront and pay it off in monthly installments. Common repayment terms are one, three, five, or seven years, though some lenders offer longer timelines. As for how much you can borrow for a personal loan, the amounts vary but may go anywhere from a few hundred dollars to $100,000.
The interest rates on personal loans are usually fixed, so your loan payments will stay the same from month to month. This fixed interest rate structure also makes it easy to estimate your long-term borrowing costs.
Most personal loans are unsecured, meaning they don’t require any collateral. To qualify, you’ll have to meet a lender’s criteria for credit, income, and debt-to-income ratio. Some lenders require good credit, but others will work with bad- or fair-credit borrowers.
Benefits of Personal Loans for Veterans
A personal loan for veterans can meet a wide range of financial needs. Here are some of the reasons personal loans can be beneficial:
• Flexible funding: Personal loans can be used for almost any purpose, including covering an emergency expense, funding a home improvement project, or consolidating credit card debt. If debt consolidation is your goal, some lenders will send the funds directly to your creditors to simplify the process.
• Predictable payments: Because personal loan interest rates tend to be fixed, you’ll make the same payment each month. You can also calculate your long-term loan costs before you borrow.
• May have competitive rates: Current personal loan rates start around 9.00%. Your rate may be lower than what you’d get on a credit card and almost certainly lower than a payday loan.
• On-time payments can build credit: If you pay off your personal loan on time, you could see your credit score improve. A stronger credit score could make it easier to qualify for other loans and access better interest rates.
• Don’t require collateral: Many personal loans are unsecured, which means you don’t have to put up collateral. Missing payments could harm your credit score, but you won’t have to worry about the lender claiming any of your assets.
• Fast application process: Some lenders can approve your application and disburse funds the same or next day you apply.
Consider the pros and cons of personal loans before you borrow.
Types of Personal Loans for Veterans
As you shop around for financing, you may come across the following types of personal loans:
• Bank loans: Many banks offer personal loans to veterans and other customers. You can often find competitive rates with banks, but the application process may take longer than it would with an online lender.
• Online loans: Online lenders can often offer large personal loan amounts, competitive rates, and a fast application process. However, you won’t get the same face-to-face experience that you would with a brick-and-mortar bank or credit union.
• Credit union loans: If you belong to a credit union (or are open to joining one), you could also explore their personal loan options. Credit unions tend to offer low interest rates and personalized customer service. Some credit unions are exclusively open to military servicemembers and veterans.
• Peer-to-peer (P2P) loans: P2P loans may also be an option. These are funded by individual investors, rather than a bank, and may have more flexible borrowing requirements than traditional personal loans.
While most personal loans are unsecured, you may also encounter secured options. Secured loans can have less strict borrowing criteria than unsecured ones. You’ll need to pledge an asset as collateral, such as a savings account, vehicle, or fixture in your home. It’s important to understand how personal loans work when they’re secured: If you fall behind on loan payments, the lender can seize your asset as a form of repayment.
Personal Loan Requirements for Veterans
Specific personal loan requirements will vary by lender, but most consider the following when you apply:
• Credit score: Lenders review your credit score when you apply for a personal loan. A good credit score of 670 or higher may help you get approved and avoid loan origination fees, but some lenders will accept lower scores.
• Income and employment: Having a stable income and job will prove to the lender that you have the means to pay your loan back on time. Most lenders ask for pay stubs or other proof of employment when you apply.
• Debt-to-income ratio: Your DTI ratio compares your current monthly debt payments with your income. A DTI below 36% is preferred, but each lender sets its own requirements.
Some banks that offer personal loans designed for veterans will be more flexible when evaluating your application. The Armed Services Bank, for instance, says its personal loans for veterans are ideal if you have little or no credit history.
If you have less-than-stellar credit, you may also have an easier time qualifying for a secured personal loan or a joint personal loan. A joint personal loan requires a cosigner or co-borrower. The lender will consider your joint applicant’s credit along with your own, which could help you get approved or access better interest rates.
How to Apply for a Personal Loan as a Veteran
To apply for a personal loan as a veteran, you’ll need to take these general steps:
Review Your Credit
Start by checking your credit so you can evaluate your chances of approval. You can check your FICO® Score at MyFICO.com or use another credit score monitoring service. You can also review a free copy of your credit report once a week from AnnualCreditReport.com.
If time allows, you could take steps to improve your credit score, such as making on-time payments on your loans and reducing the amount of credit you’re using.
Shop Around and Prequalify With Multiple Lenders
Your next step is to research lenders and prequalify for personal loans. Prequalification only takes a minute or two and won’t affect your credit. You could review offers from several banks, credit unions and online lenders to find a loan with the best interest rate and terms. A personal loan calculator can help you estimate your borrowing costs.
Pick a Loan Offer and Apply
Once you’ve found your best loan offer, you can fill out a full application and upload documentation. After you apply, the lender will likely run a hard credit inquiry to check your credit report.
Receive Your Personal Loan
If the lender approves your application, you’ll finalize your loan agreement and get your funds. You’ll start paying back the loan on your chosen repayment schedule.
The Takeaway
Personal loans can be a valuable financial tool for veterans, whether you’re covering an unexpected expense, consolidating debt or managing another life event. As you explore your options, look for a personal loan with competitive rates, few (or no) fees and a repayment term that works for your budget.
Think twice before turning to high-interest credit cards. Consider a SoFi personal loan instead. SoFi offers competitive fixed rates and same-day funding. See your rate in minutes.
FAQ
How do veterans apply for personal loans?
Veterans can apply for personal loans with any bank, credit union, or online lender that offers them. Checking offers through pre-qualification, if available, is a great way to view rates without dinging your credit score. Once you’re ready to apply, you’ll fill out a loan application and provide required documentation, such as pay stubs and identification.
Are there personal loan options for veterans with bad credit?
Some banks, such as the Armed Forces Bank, offer special personal loan options for veterans with bad credit. You can also find online lenders that accept bad credit. Note that having bad credit could mean you end up with higher interest rates and origination fees.
How do VA loans differ from personal loans for veterans?
VA loans are a type of mortgage guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs. They offer competitive rates and don’t typically require a down payment, but they must be used to buy a home. Personal loans, on the other hand, are typically used to cover a big expense or consolidate credit card debt.
Do veterans receive special interest rates or terms on personal loans?
Some financial institutions offer special interest rates and terms on personal loans for veterans. Most lenders, however, will base your rates and terms on your financial profile, particularly your credit and income.
Are there government programs for personal loans for veterans?
There are no government programs for personal loans for disabled veterans or non-disabled veterans. However, service members on active duty are protected by the Military Lending Act (MLA) and the Service members Civil Relief Act (SCRA). The MLA caps personal loan interest rates at 36.00%, while the SCRA limits the rates on any preservice loans to 6.00%.
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