Can you pay more than the monthly payment on a personal loan?

Asked by: Bettie Treutel  |  Last update: December 7, 2025
Score: 4.6/5 (57 votes)

Yes, you can make extra payments on a personal loan. Contact your lender to determine how extra payments are handled to ensure the funds get applied towards the principal. Be sure to ask if your lender charges a prepayment penalty for paying off your loan early.

What happens if I pay more than my monthly loan payment?

Yes. You can make payments before they are due or pay more than the amount due each month. Paying more than your required monthly payment can reduce the amount of interest you pay, and total loan cost over the life of the loan. Was this page helpful?

Can I make additional payments on my personal loan?

Is it possible to pay off a personal loan early? It is possible to pay off your personal loan early, but you may not want to. Making an extra payment each month or putting some, or all, of a cash windfall, toward your loans, could help you shave a few months off your repayment period.

Is it worth overpaying a personal loan?

Overpaying will not help vs just having some sort of credit and paying it off on time. However underpaying/not paying will cause big issues. Do not get a loan to improve credit score. You should never pay interest to improve and imaginary number. However, if you want a loan and can afford it, go for it.

Can you pay more than the minimum on a personal loan?

As long as you continue to pay a little more than the minimum amount, you can get closer to paying off your personal loan early. But be sure to consult your lender before starting biweekly payments.

Can Personal Loans be Paid Off Early? The Pros and Cons of Paying Off Personal Loans Early

30 related questions found

What happens when you pay extra on a simple interest loan?

More of your payment will go toward principal as a result. two and paying half twice a month (as long as the first one is before the due date and the second is on or before the due date), also reduces the interest due.

Is there a prepayment penalty on personal loans?

There's no feeling like paying off a loan ahead of schedule. But there are times when knocking out debt before you're required could cause more harm than good. Namely, if your lender charges a prepayment penalty. Although personal loan prepayment penalties aren't super common, they do exist.

What is one huge disadvantage of a personal loan?

Higher Interest Rates for Poor Credit

While personal loans can be a great way to get financial relief, they may come with higher interest rates, especially for those with lower credit scores. Lenders set these rates to compensate for the increased risk, which could make the loan more expensive for you.

Does overpaying a loan reduce monthly payments?

You can make overpayments when you have some extra money to pay your loan off faster and it could also save you money. The overpayments you make to your personal loan can either reduce your loan term or monthly repayments.

What happens if I make a large payment on a loan?

When you make an extra payment or a payment that's larger than the required payment, you can designate that the extra funds be applied to principal. Because interest is calculated against the principal balance, paying down the principal in less time on your mortgage reduces the interest you'll pay.

How can I pay off my personal loan faster?

Making extra payments or picking up a side job are effective ways to pay off a personal loan faster. Tightening your budget or refinancing your loan can also help with early payoff.

Do extra payments automatically go to principal?

Ideally, you want your extra payments to go towards the principal amount. However, many lenders will apply the extra payments to any interest accrued since your last payment and then apply anything left over to the principal amount. Other times, lenders may apply extra funds to next month's payment.

Can I make extra repayments on a personal loan?

Yes, it can be a good option to opt for part payment as you can reduce your EMI over the same tenure. You can also keep the EMI amount same but get your tenure. Either way, in some way or the other, you can save a bit.

What if I pay extra on my personal loan?

Extra payments affect future loan payments by lowering the total amount you owe. Applying extra money toward your loan can also reduce the amount of time you're in debt. Some loans have an early payoff penalty that could reduce the amount you'd save by paying off your debt early.

How to pay off a 6 year car loan in 3 years?

If you want to pay off your loan early, here are six ways to make it happen:
  1. Refinance your car loan. ...
  2. Make biweekly payments. ...
  3. Round up your payments. ...
  4. Put extra money toward a lump-sum payment. ...
  5. Continue making your monthly payments. ...
  6. Opt out of any unneeded add-ons.

What are two reasons someone might purposely choose a higher monthly payment?

An increase in your monthly payment will reduce the amount of interest charges you will pay over the repayment period and may even shorten the number of months it will take to pay off the loan.

What happens if I make a lump sum payment on my personal loan?

Yes, you can pay off a personal loan early by increasing your monthly payments or through a lump sum payment. There is no penalty for paying off your loan early; in fact, it can reduce the interest that you have to pay on the loan, saving you money.

Can you repay a personal loan early?

Loan providers must allow you to pay back a personal loan early in full, but they can charge you an early repayment charge (ERC). Early repayment charges vary, but typically you can expect to pay the equivalent of one to two months' interest.

Is it worth making extra payments on a loan?

Sometimes lenders like to see that you're clearing your debt over time in monthly repayments as it shows you're managing your money well. However, it could still be worthwhile using extra cash to repay your loan early as any negative impact on your credit file is likely to be small and temporary.

What are the three most common mistakes people make when using a personal loan?

The following points narrate the top nine personal loan mistakes to avoid while applying for loan:
  • Neglecting to Check the Eligibility Criteria Before Applying. ...
  • Borrowing More than the Required Amount. ...
  • Choosing a Longer Tenure. ...
  • Not Considering Your Credit Score. ...
  • Not Checking the Fine Print, Including Loan Term.

Which finance is best for a personal loan?

Best Personal Loans in India 2024
  1. HDFC Bank. Interest Rate: Starts at 10.50% per annum. ...
  2. Yes Bank. Interest Rate: Ranges from 11.25% to 21%. ...
  3. ICICI Bank. Interest Rate: Approximately 10.80% per annum. ...
  4. IndusInd Bank. Interest Rate: Starts at 10.49%, varying between 10.49% and 26%. ...
  5. Kotak Mahindra Bank.

Do personal loans damage your credit?

A personal loan can affect your credit score in several ways⁠—both good and bad. Taking out a personal loan isn't bad for your credit score in and of itself. However, it may affect your overall score in the short term and make it more difficult for you to obtain additional credit until the loan is repaid.

Why do lenders not like prepayment?

Lenders dislike prepayments because they lose out on interest charges. Prepayment essentially shortens the term of the loan, which means less interest paid. If enough borrowers prepay their loans, lenders also face increased interest rate risk, meaning the potential for investment losses.

What happens if you prepay your personal loan?

Improve Your Credit Score : When you prepay your loan, fully or partially, you are wiping out or lowering your debt burden in one shot. What this does is improve your credit score as outstanding loans are directly linked to your credit score.

Can you make overpayments on a personal loan?

You can make overpayments to reduce your outstanding balance whenever you like.