How hard is it to get approved by Upstart?

Asked by: Angelina Wolf  |  Last update: April 28, 2026
Score: 4.4/5 (72 votes)

To the extent an applicant has a credit score, Upstart accepts scores as low as 300, meaning the lender effectively doesn't have a minimum credit score requirement. Low income requirement: Upstart requires that borrowers take in a minimum of $12,000 per year.

Is it hard to get approved through Upstart?

Is it easy to get an Upstart personal loan? Qualifying for an Upstart personal loan may be easier for some borrowers since it has a low credit score requirement. However, you'll also need to meet its other personal loan requirements, like income and employment.

What is the minimum score for an Upstart loan?

Applicants with Upstart must have a minimum FICO or Vantage score of 300 as reported by a consumer reporting agency. Note, we do accept applicants with insufficient credit history to produce a credit score.

Does Upstart accept everyone?

To qualify for a loan, all loan borrowers must:

Have a U.S. address; Have a valid e-mail account; Have a job or job offer he/she has accepted and will start within 6 months or another verifiable source of regular income; Meet our minimum credit requirements; and.

Why won't Upstart approve me?

If any of the accounts on your credit report are currently in collections or 30 or more days delinquent; or. If there is any inquiry or new account on your credit report since the time of the credit report used to determine your rate (not including any inquiries related to a student loan, vehicle loan or mortgage).

Is Upstart Easy to Get Approved?

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Does Upstart verify income?

A pay stub within the last 30 days is needed to verify your income, if you receive a pay stub, please provide one. If you do not have your first pay stub yet and/or starting a job in the future, please submit your official job offer stating your compensation and start date.

Does Upstart check your bank account?

If you accept your rate, you will be prompted to complete an application by verifying your bank account and possibly uploading some supporting documents. If your application is approved, you will be asked to review final disclosures and sign a promissory note.

What are the risks of choosing Upstart?

Upstart debt consolidation loans have 4.64%-35.99% APRs There is also an origination fee as high as 12%. Origination fees are “service fees” charged by lenders. The worse your credit risk, the higher it will be. As with most online lenders, the same goes for your APR.

What is the most you can borrow from Upstart?

You can borrow between $1,000 and $50,000.

What does Upstart look at?

Upstart believes that you are more than your credit score. Our statistical model considers the school you attended, your area of study, employment history, and your credit history. This allows you to receive a loan offer based on more than just your credit score.

What is the debt to income ratio for Upstart?

In other words, lenders generally want borrowers to have a DTI ratio of 36% or less, with a maximum of 28% of that amount designated for mortgage or rent payments. The lower your debt-to-income ratio is, the better, because you're more likely to get the best interest rates and terms.

Can I negotiate my Upstart loan?

Unfortunately, you cannot negotiate the loan terms or the rate you are offered. Your rate is generated based on the details that you entered into your application along with your soft credit pull.

Does Upstart call your employer?

It is more common for a personal lender to verify your income, either with tax documents or bank statements, but the lender can absolutely call your employer to verify your status if they feel it's necessary to do so.

How credible is Upstart?

Upstart has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and 4.9 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot, which is considered excellent, based on 46,495 ratings. Upstart received 666 out of 1,000 points on the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Consumer Lending Satisfaction StudySM, which measures personal loan lender customer satisfaction.

How fast does Upstart approval take?

It takes as little as one business day to get money from a personal loan through Upstart, according to the company. Additionally, most applicants are instantly approved, but there will be a hard credit inquiry performed for final approval.

Does Upstart approve everyone?

Your APR will be determined based on your credit, income, and certain other information provided in your loan application. Not all applicants will be approved.

Why was i denied from Upstart?

If any of the accounts on your credit report are currently in collections or 30 or more days delinquent; or. If there is any inquiry or new account on your credit report since the time of the credit report used to determine your rate (not including any inquiries related to a student loan, vehicle loan, or mortgage).

Why is Upstart failing?

Its platform seeks to increase approvals for borrowers while simultaneously lowering risk to lenders. But its revenue has been cut in half in recent years because lenders weren't as willing to fund Upstart's loans -- there were high-rate opportunities elsewhere. However, Upstart is now back to growth.

Does Upstart ask for paystubs?

We will require different documentation depending on your employment status. Most recent pay stub (within 30 days) showing your salary or hourly wage. If you do not have your first pay stub yet, please submit your official job offer stating your compensation and start date.

What is proof of income for a loan?

Proof of income is needed to confirm that a borrower makes enough money to repay a loan. Common forms of proof of income include pay stubs, tax return documents, and bank statements. Paperless verification methods are also available to provide more accurate and efficient income data collection.

Can loan officers see your bank account?

Your loan officer will ask for all types of bank statements, including checking and savings accounts. The money you have saved will determine the amount of mortgage you can afford. If your underwriter requires you to make a 10% down payment, you can apply for a mortgage worth $300,000 only if you have saved $30,000.

What counts as income for a personal loan?

In common use, “income” generally means money earned through employment. But for personal loan application purposes, what counts as income can be more expansive. While specifics vary by lender, the following non-employment earnings are commonly accepted as sources of income: Social Security or Disability payments.

What documents does Upstart need?

You may be asked to provide documents that verify your identity, education, and income. We may also ask for a copy of your registration card or proof of insurance.

Does Upstart do a hard check?

If you are offered a loan rate and proceed with the application, we will then make a “hard credit inquiry” to verify the accuracy of your information.