What happens if you get denied a loan?

Asked by: Jalyn Doyle  |  Last update: February 19, 2026
Score: 4.8/5 (56 votes)

If you're denied for a personal loan, you can reapply—and potentially be approved. However, before you reapply, make sure you've learned why your application was rejected in the first place so that you can improve your situation and increase your chances of approval. Federal Trade Commission.

What happens if you get rejected for loan?

Applying for a loan will impact your credit rating. This is because the application involves a hard credit search. However, the search won't say if you were accepted or refused, so a loan rejection won't damage your credit score any more than an approval.

Can I apply for a loan again after being denied?

That's why it's a good idea to wait at least 30 days before you apply again. However, if you don't need the funds urgently, experts recommend waiting at least six months. It's also important to ask the lender why your loan was rejected before you submit another application.

Does getting denied for a loan hurt your credit?

When you formally apply for a personal loan, the lender will perform a hard credit check, which results in a temporary dip in your credit score. However, your score is not affected if a lender denies your application.

Is it illegal to be denied a loan?

It is illegal to:

Refuse you credit if you qualify for it. Discourage you from applying for credit. Offer you credit on terms that are less favorable, like a higher interest rate, than terms offered to someone with similar qualifications.

How to Turn a Declined Loan Into a Home Loan

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Which type of loan is typically easier to get?

Personal loans are easy to get when they offer flexible credit score and income requirements. If you have a fair credit score, which includes FICO scores from 580 to 669, you may be able to qualify for an unsecured personal loan from a traditional lender.

What happens if you don't accept a loan?

Being accepted does not mean that you have to accept the money. Instead, it simply means the lender has accepted your application and is willing to loan you the funds you applied for in the form of a loan. Fortunately, choosing not to accept a loan that you are approved for does not yield any consequences on your end.

Can you have a 700 credit score and still get denied?

Having a good credit score is just one factor in the approval process. Lenders consider various factors like income, existing debt, and credit history. If your income is insufficient or if you have a history of late payments or high debt, you may still be rejected despite a good score.

How to get a loan when everyone denies you?

Get a creditworthy cosigner

If you were declined a loan because of your credit history and/or income, then you may want to reapply with a creditworthy cosigner. A cosigner is someone who agrees to sign a loan or credit agreement with the primary borrower.

What is a hardship loan?

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.

How long do you have to wait to get a loan after being declined?

It's best to wait at least three months, preferably six, before applying for another loan. A hard credit check happens each time you make a credit application. Too many hard credit checks in a short space of time can make it look like you're having financial difficulties, which deters lenders from letting you borrow.

Can I accept a loan after declining it?

If you were offered loans and either declined them or only accepted part of the loans you were offered, you can request to have the remaining amount available to you reoffered to you, so that you can accept more.

How do you get a loan when you've been rejected?

Improve your next loan application
  1. Get a copy of your credit report. Check that your credit report has no mistakes and that all the debts listed are yours. ...
  2. Pay off some debts. Keep up with your loan repayments, and make extra repayments where you can. ...
  3. Consolidate your debt with a lower interest rate. ...
  4. Create a budget.

Can you reapply for a loan after denial?

After being refused a loan, you should not reapply immediately. While there is no fixed amount of time you should wait, giving yourself at least 3 to 6 months before reapplying is essential to avoid harming your credit score.

What to do when no one will give you a loan?

What Can I Do If No One Will Give Me a Loan?
  1. Research peer-to-peer lending.
  2. Explore loans from friends and family.
  3. Look at pawnshop loan options.
  4. Compare credit card cash loans.
  5. Seek information about government assistance programs.

How do you respond to a declined loan?

Lenders are required to provide an explanation letter for rejected applications. If you're rejected, read through the letter and determine what can be remedied. For example, you can work to improve your credit score or pay down high-interest debts to improve your debt-to-income ratio.

How do I get a loan if I keep getting declined?

Here are a few things you can do if you are refused a loan:
  1. Improve your finances. It's important to look at ways to improve your financial situation. ...
  2. Check your credit report. ...
  3. Improve your credit score. ...
  4. Don't keep applying for credit.

How to get a $2000 loan with bad credit?

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.

What not to say when getting a loan?

10 Things Not To Say To Your Mortgage Broker | Loan Approval
  1. 1) Anything untruthful.
  2. 2) What's the most I can borrow?
  3. 3) I forgot to pay that bill again.
  4. 4) Check out my new credit cards.
  5. 5) Which credit card ISN'T maxed out?
  6. 6) Changing jobs annually is my specialty.

Is a 900 credit score possible?

What is the highest credit score possible? To start off: No, it's not possible to have a 900 credit score in the United States. In some countries that use other models, like Canada, people could have a score of 900. The current scoring models in the U.S. have a maximum of 850.

Is 493 a bad credit score?

Your score falls within the range of scores, from 300 to 579, considered Very Poor. A 493 FICO® Score is significantly below the average credit score. Many lenders choose not to do business with borrowers whose scores fall in the Very Poor range, on grounds they have unfavorable credit.

Can I buy a house with a 703 credit score?

The minimum credit score needed to buy a house can range from 500 to 700, but will ultimately depend on the type of mortgage loan you're applying for and your lender. While it's possible to get a mortgage with bad credit, you typically need good or exceptional credit to qualify for the best terms.

How to get a loan when everyone is rejecting you?

If you get denied when applying for credit, look for ways to increase your chances of approval by boosting your credit score, getting a co-signer, or providing collateral.

Is it illegal to borrow money and not pay it back?

You may be taken to court

On that note, you can be sued for not paying back a payday loan, even if the loan amount is small.

Which loan should you try to pay off most quickly?

Pay Off High-Interest Loans First

With this approach, you pay off your loans from the highest interest rate to the lowest. You make the minimum payments on each balance except the highest-rate loan. You also make an extra monthly payment based on how much you can put toward the debt.