With a 350 credit score, you won't have lots of borrowing options to choose from. However, bad credit loans may be available. Actions like building a positive payment history, keeping your credit utilization under 30%, and keeping debt low can help your credit.
To qualify for a personal loan, you generally need a minimum credit score of at least 580 — though certain lenders have even lower requirements than that. However, your chances of getting a low interest personal loan rate are much higher if you have good to excellent credit, typically a score of 740 and above.
In addition to regular loans, many credit unions offer payday alternative loans (PALs) for amounts up to $2,000. These are an especially good option if you have fair or bad credit as rates are capped at 28%, and they're designed for borrowers who struggle to be approved for credit.
Some of the easiest loans to get approved for if you have bad credit include payday loans, no-credit-check loans, and pawnshop loans. Before you apply for an emergency loan to obtain funds quickly, make sure you read the fine print so you know exactly what your costs will be.
Hardship personal loans are a type of personal loan intended to help borrowers overcome financial difficulties such as job loss, medical emergencies, or home repairs. Hardship personal loan programs are often offered by small banks and credit unions.
Lenders vary, but you'll generally need a credit score of 620 or higher to get a personal loan. The higher your credit score, the better your chances of getting approved for an affordable personal loan. There are lots of options to get a personal loan if you're still working on building your credit. See if you qualify.
You may be able to get a personal loan without income verification if you pledge collateral, use a co-signer or have an excellent credit score. There are several ways to get approved for a personal loan with no proof of income, including applying with a co-signer and securing the loan with collateral.
Those with a 640 or higher credit score are likely to find a number of options for a $10,000 personal loan; those with higher scores may have more options as well as more favorable terms.
For a score with a range of 300 to 850, a credit score of 670 to 739 is considered good. Credit scores of 740 and above are very good while 800 and higher are excellent. For credit scores that range from 300 to 850, a credit score in the mid to high 600s or above is generally considered good.
16% of all consumers have FICO® Scores in the Very Poor range (300-579).
Using more of your credit card balance than usual — even if you pay on time — can reduce your score until a new, lower balance is reported the following month. Closed accounts and lower credit limits can also result in lower scores even if your payment behavior has not changed.
A 350 credit score can be a sign of past credit difficulties or a lack of credit history. Whether you're looking for a personal loan, a mortgage or a credit card, credit scores in this range can make it challenging to get approved for unsecured credit, which doesn't require collateral or a security deposit.
Among all our picks for best personal loans for bad credit, Upstart has the lowest minimum credit score requirement. LendingTree customers who have used Upstart recommend the lender 99% of the time. Upstart funded more than 13,000 personal loans to LendingTree customers in 2023.
Requirements for a $5,000 Personal Loan
Requirements for a $5,000 loan vary by lender. But in general, you should have at least Fair credit, which is a score of 580 or above. Lenders may also look at other factors, such as your income and your debt-to-income ratio (DTI), during the application process.
HDFC Bank customers can get Personal Loans with minimal or no documentation. In fact, if they are pre- approved for a Personal Loan, they can easily apply for it. Lower interest rates: Interest rates on Personal Loans are lower than other sources.
Some lenders cater to applicants with lower credit scores in the poor range (below 580) to help them borrow money for emergency expenses, medical bills, debt consolidation and other financing needs.
Make Timely Payments
Pay your loan EMIs and your credit card bills on time and in full every month. Missing payments affect your credit score negatively. In case you are having a hard time paying your bill in a certain month, consider paying at least the minimum amount by the due date.
If you need to borrow money fast, you can apply to your local credit union to find out what sort of loans and interest rates are available. Our guide Borrowing from a credit union can help you find out how it works and how to find one.
Even though the government doesn't give individual hardship grants, you might qualify for other government benefits if you're struggling to make ends meet. Government benefit programs are available to help people with a lower income pay for food, housing, healthcare and other financial needs.