Should I Get a Personal Loan? - NerdWallet (2024)

FAQs

How hard is it to get a $30,000 personal loan? ›

For a $30,000 loan, you'll typically need a credit score above 600 just to qualify or above 700 to get a competitive rate. A high enough income: Part of the lender's evaluation of your loan application includes determining whether you can afford the payments.

Taking out a personal loan can make more sense than tapping credit cards or home equity in some cases – but it's not always a good idea to borrow one. There are situations where this could be a good idea, but always remember that taking out a personal loan increases your overall debt.

Generally, you'll need a good to excellent credit score — 670 or higher — to qualify for a $20,000 loan. The higher your credit score, the better your chances of qualifying for a loan and securing a lower interest rate.

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To qualify for a $60,000 personal loan, you likely need a good to excellent credit score of 670 or higher. However, terms can vary among lenders, so it's important to check the specific requirements.

To increase your chance of qualifying for a $10,000 unsecured loan, you should have a credit score of 600 or higher. Some lenders start their minimum credit score requirements at 600, however, there are some lenders that require a credit score in the high 600s or low 700s.

In most cases, you can pay off a personal loan early. Your credit score might drop, but it will typically be minor and temporary. Paying off an installment loan entirely can affect your credit score because of factors like your total debt, credit mix and payment history.

Fees and penalties can be high

Personal loans may come with fees and penalties that can drive up the cost of borrowing. Some loans come with origination fees of 1 percent to 6 percent of the loan amount.

Does a personal loan hurt your credit score? Your credit score can dip a few points when you formally apply for a personal loan, but missed payments can cause a more significant drop. Getting a personal loan will also increase the amount of debt you owe, which is one of the factors that make up your credit score.

How much income do I need for a 20k loan? ›

You need at least $10,500 in annual income to get a personal loan, in most cases. Minimum income requirements vary by lender, ranging from $10,500 to $100,000+, and a lender will request documents such as W-2 forms, bank statements, or pay stubs to verify that you have enough income or assets to afford the loan.

The monthly payment on a $20,000 loan ranges from $273 to $2,009, depending on the APR and how long the loan lasts. For example, if you take out a $20,000 loan for one year with an APR of 36%, your monthly payment will be $2,009.

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In general, lenders extend $30,000 loans to borrowers with good to excellent credit, which is typically 670 and higher. But there may be lenders who lend to borrowers with bad credit. If you're having difficulty qualifying, you may consider getting a cosigner or co-borrower to help you get approved for the loan.

It will take 41 months to pay off $30,000 with payments of $1,000 per month, assuming the average credit card APR of around 18%. The time it takes to repay a balance depends on how often you make payments, how big your payments are and what the interest rate charged by the lender is.

Key Takeaways. It is possible to get a $100,000 personal loan, but it's difficult. Lenders don't typically offer loans as large as $100,000, with most banks and credit unions offering a maximum of $50,000. To qualify for a $100,000 personal loan, you'll need a credit score of 720 or above and a high income.