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Best Debt Consolidation Loans of April 2024

Loans Writer,  Contributor
Lead Editor, Mortgages & Loans

Reviewed

Updated: Mar 27, 2024, 6:24am

Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.

Debt consolidation can be an effective way to streamline payments and potentially reduce your interest charges. The best personal loans for debt consolidation offer low annual percentage rates (APRs) and flexible repayment terms, while avoiding fees like prepayment penalties, so you can retire debt early without having to pay a fee.

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Why you can trust Forbes Advisor: Our editors are committed to bringing you unbiased ratings and information. Our editorial content is not influenced by advertisers. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and companies, so all are measured equally. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and the loans methodology for the ratings below.

  • 29 nationwide lenders researched
  • 16 data points evaluated and scored
  • Lenders re-evaluated every month

Best Debt Consolidation Loans of April 2024

  • Upgrade – Best for Bad Credit
  • Universal Credit – Best for Comparing Multiple Offers
  • Happy Money – Best for Flexible Repayment Terms
  • Achieve – Best for Paying off Credit Card Debt
  • Discover – Best for No Interest If Repaid Withing 30 Days
  • Best Egg – Best for Debt Consolidation Perks
  • LendingClub – Best for Peer-To-Peer Lending
  • LightStream – Best for Low Interest Rates
  • SoFi – Best for Large Loan Amounts

BEST FOR BAD CREDIT

Upgrade

4.0

Our ratings take into account loan cost, loan details, eligibility and accessibility, customer experience and application process. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

Minimum Credit Score

580

APR range

8.49% to 35.99%

Loan amounts

$1,000 to $50,000

Compare Rates Arrow

Via Credible.com’s Website

580

8.49% to 35.99%

$1,000 to $50,000

Editor’s Take

Upgrade stands out for offering loans to borrowers with poor credit history. The minimum credit requirement of 580 is much lower than other lenders, and Upgrade also doesn’t have a minimum income requirement. Loan amounts range from $1,000 to $50,000 with two- to seven-year terms.

Pros & Cons
  • Low minimum credit score requirement
  • Borrowers can use loans to cover business expenses
  • Offers direct lender payoff for debt consolidation loans
  • High APR range
  • Charges fees for origination, late payment and insufficient funds

Details

Eligibility: 

  • Minimum credit score: 580
  • No minimum income requirement
  • Allows co-applicants

Loan uses:

  • Debt consolidation
  • Home projects
  • Large expenses
  • Business expenses

BEST FOR COMPARING MULTIPLE OFFERS

Universal Credit

4.0

Our ratings take into account loan cost, loan details, eligibility and accessibility, customer experience and application process. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

Minimum Credit Score

580

APR range

11.69% to 35.99%

Loan amounts

$1,000 to $50,000

Compare Rates Arrow

Via Credible.com’s Website

580

11.69% to 35.99%

$1,000 to $50,000

Editor’s Take

Universal Credit is an online lending platform that offers personal loans between $1,000 to $50,000 through its partners, allowing borrowers to compare multiple offers at once. While Universal Credit makes finding a personal loan accessible even to those with damaged credit, it charges high APRs and charges a 5.25% to 9.99% origination fee on all personal loans.

Pros & Cons
  • Flexible qualification requirements
  • Next-day funding
  • No prepayment penalty
  • High APRs
  • All personal loans charge a 5.25% to 9.99% origination fee

Details

Eligibility:

  • Minimum credit score: 580
  • Minimum income requirement: Does not disclose
  • Doesn’t allow co-signers or co-borrowers

Loan uses:

  • Debt consolidation
  • Large expense
  • Home project

BEST FOR FLEXIBLE REPAYMENT TERMS

Happy Money

4.0

Our ratings take into account loan cost, loan details, eligibility and accessibility, customer experience and application process. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

Minimum Credit Score

640

APR range

11.72% to 17.99%

Loan amounts

$5,000 to $40,000

Compare Rates Arrow

Via Credible.com’s Website

640

11.72% to 17.99%

$5,000 to $40,000

Editor’s Take

Happy Money offers lending terms from two to five years along with loan amounts of $5,000 to $40,000, making the lender stand out for having flexible repayment options for those who need to consolidate their debt. And, while Happy Money charges a 0% to 5% origination fee, there are no late fees, annual fees or prepayment penalties.

Pros & Cons
  • Directly pays third-party creditors
  • Competitive APRs
  • Assists borrowers with financial wellness through its Peace program
  • May charge an origination fee
  • Limited repayment terms
  • Requires a minimum credit history of three years

Details

Overview: Founded in 2009, Happy Money (previously Payoff) is an online lending platform that connects prospective borrowers with fixed-rate credit card debt consolidation loans in every state except Massachusetts, Mississippi, Nebraska and Nevada. Happy Money specializes in helping borrowers eliminate their high-interest debt, and will pay off members’ outstanding credit balances directly.

Eligibility: 

  • Minimum credit score: 640
  • Minimum credit history: Three years
  • Maximum debt-to-income ratio: 50%

Loan uses:

  • Debt consolidation

BEST FOR PAYING OFF CREDIT CARD DEBT

Achieve

4.0

Our ratings take into account loan cost, loan details, eligibility and accessibility, customer experience and application process. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

Minimum Credit Score

620

APR range

8.99% to 35.99%

Loan amounts

$7,500 to $40,000

Compare Rates Arrow

Via Fiona.com’s Website

620

8.99% to 35.99%

$7,500 to $40,000

Editor’s Take

Achieve is one of our top picks for debt consolidation loans because of the flexible loan terms (two to five years) and loan amounts ($7,500 to $40,000). These characteristics make it easier to consolidate a large amount of debt while spreading payments out over a lengthy period of time and reducing monthly payments.

Pros & Cons
  • Funds available within 48 hours
  • Flexible repayment terms
  • Allows co-borrowers
  • Application is not entirely online
  • Imposes a minimum income requirement
  • High minimum loan amount

Details

Overview: Achieve is an indirect lending platform that offers personal loans underwritten by Cross River Bank or MetaBank. Like some of our other top picks, Achieve also offers direct payment to creditors. In fact, borrowers who put 85% of the total loan amount toward debt consolidation via direct payment are more likely to qualify for a loan.

That said, depending on the interest rates on your current debts, the potentially high APR Achieve charges may make it more difficult to save money by consolidating. Likewise, the origination fee from 1.99% to 6.99% of the loan amount can make the loan more expensive. If you’re considering Achieve for debt consolidation, it’s important to do the math before you sign on the dotted line.

Eligibility: 

  • Minimum credit score: 620
  • Minimum annual income: $21,500
  • Allows co-signers and co-applicants

Loan uses: 

  • Debt consolidation
  • Home projects
  • Medical expenses
  • Travel costs

BEST FOR NO INTEREST IF REPAID WITHIN 30 DAYS

Discover

4.0

Our ratings take into account loan cost, loan details, eligibility and accessibility, customer experience and application process. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

Minimum Credit Score

660

APR range

7.99% to 24.99%

Loan amounts

$2,500 to $40,000

Compare Rates Arrow

Via Fiona.com’s Website

660

7.99% to 24.99%

$2,500 to $40,000

Editor’s Take

Discover stands out because of its online application and mobile banking tools, well-reviewed customer support team and quick funding. In general, loans are available from $2,500 to $40,000 and may be issued for between three and seven years.

Pros & Cons
  • Option to pay off creditors directly
  • No origination fees or prepayment penalties
  • Directly pays creditors
  • Charges late fees
  • Low maximum loan amount

Details

Eligibility: 

  • Minimum credit score: 660
  • Minimum household income: $25,000
  • Doesn’t allow co-signers or co-borrowers

Loan uses:

  • Medical bills
  • Business expenses
  • Home renovation

BEST FOR DEBT CONSOLIDATION PERKS

Best Egg

3.5

Our ratings take into account loan cost, loan details, eligibility and accessibility, customer experience and application process. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

Minimum Credit Score

640

APR range

8.99% to 35.99%

Loan amounts

$2,000 to $50,000

Compare Rates Arrow

Via Credible.com’s Website

640

8.99% to 35.99%

$2,000 to $50,000

Editor’s Take

Best Egg is a lending platform that’s best for borrowers who want to consolidate credit card debt. With Best Egg’s Direct Pay feature, once you accept a debt consolidation loan, the lender will directly pay off your credit card accounts. Payment terms are available from three to five years, so Best Egg can be a great way to consolidate your other debts and spread the payments out over time.

Pros & Cons
  • Loan terms available up to five years
  • Low minimum APR
  • No prepayment penalty
  • Does not offer direct payment to third-party creditors
  • Charges an origination fee
  • Maximum repayment term of five years

Details

Overview: Best Egg is a lending platform available to borrowers in every state except Iowa, Vermont, West Virginia and Washington, D.C. Personal loans are issued by Cross River Bank and range from $2,000 to $50,000.

With Best Egg, borrowers have to pay an origination fee from 0.99% to 5.99% of the loan amount. This fee is an important consideration when calculating how much you can save by consolidating your debts with a Best Egg personal loan. Borrowers can, however, pay off their loan early without incurring a prepayment penalty.

Eligibility: 

  • Minimum credit score: Does not disclose
  • Minimum annual income: Does not disclose
  • Does not allow co-signer

Loan uses: 

  • Debt consolidation

BEST FOR PEER-TO-PEER LENDING

LendingClub

3.5

Our ratings take into account loan cost, loan details, eligibility and accessibility, customer experience and application process. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

Minimum Credit Score

600

APR range

8.98% to 35.99%

Loan amounts

$1,000 to $40,000

Compare Rates Arrow

Via Credible.com’s Website

600

8.98% to 35.99%

$1,000 to $40,000

Editor’s Take

LendingClub stands out for being a peer-to-peer lender. While LendingClub imposes high APRs and no autopay discount, applicants can choose to borrow between $1,000 to $40,000. This is a higher maximum loan cap than some other lenders. That said, LendingClub’s loan terms are limited to two to five years, which is less flexible than other lenders on our list.

Pros & Cons
  • Will directly pay off third-party creditors as part of balance transfer loan
  • Co-applicants permitted
  • Available to borrowers with fair to excellent credit
  • Origination and late fees
  • Limited loan term availability
  • High APR range

Details

Overview: LendingClub is a peer-to-peer—or marketplace—lender founded in 2007. As the largest online lending platform for personal loans, LendingClub has worked with over 3 million customers and funded more than $55 billion in loans. It’s also one of the most geographically widespread options, with lending capabilities in every state except Iowa and the U.S. territories.

LendingClub also makes debt consolidation easier by offering a balance transfer loan. With this type of loan, LendingClub offers direct payment to third-party lenders, including over 1,700 creditors. Not only does the platform take care of payments for you, you can choose exactly how much of your new loan amount you want LendingClub to pay toward each creditor.

Eligibility:

  • Minimum credit score: 600
  • Minimum credit history: Three years
  • Allows co-applicants

Loan uses:

  • Debt consolidation
  • Home projects
  • Medical expenses

BEST FOR LOW INTEREST RATES

LightStream

3.5

Our ratings take into account loan cost, loan details, eligibility and accessibility, customer experience and application process. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

Minimum Credit Score

660

APR range

6.99% to 25.49%

with autopay

Loan amounts

$5,000 to $100,000

Compare Rates Arrow

Via Credible.com’s Website

660

6.99% to 25.49%

with autopay

$5,000 to $100,000

Editor’s Take

LightStream offers borrowers competitive interest rates along with a high maximum loan amount. Repayment terms are available from two to seven years, making it an excellent option for those who want to spread out the payment of large expenses over time. Loans from LightStream also have no origination, late payment or prepayment fees.

Pros & Cons
  • No origination, prepayment or late fees
  • Low, competitive rates
  • Fast approval and funding
  • No prequalification process
  • No due date flexibility
  • Limitations on use of loan proceeds

Details

Eligibility:

  • Applicants should have several years of credit history
  • Minimum credit score: 660
  • Can’t prequalify

Loan uses:

  • Large expenses
  • Finance land, timeshares and tiny homes
  • Home project

BEST FOR LARGE LOAN AMOUNTS

SoFi®

3.5

Our ratings take into account loan cost, loan details, eligibility and accessibility, customer experience and application process. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

Minimum Credit Score

650

APR range

8.99% to 29.99%

with autopay

Loan amounts

$5,000 to $100,000

Compare Rates Arrow

Via Credible.com’s Website

650

8.99% to 29.99%

with autopay

$5,000 to $100,000

Editor’s Take

With SoFi, loans are available from $5,000 to $100,000, making SoFi a great option for those with excellent credit who need to borrow a large amount of money. Repayment terms range from two to seven years, making SoFi an incredibly flexible option for those with sufficient credit (minimum 650) and annual income (at least $45,000).

Pros & Cons
  • Prequalification with soft credit check
  • Funding in as little as one to two days
  • High loan amounts and lengthy terms
  • Does not offer direct payment to third-party creditors for debt consolidation
  • Some applicants report difficult qualification standards
  • Co-signers are not permitted

Details

Eligibility:

  • Minimum credit score required: 650
  • Minimum annual income: $45,000
  • Co-signers not permitted

Loan uses:

  • Medical expenses
  • Credit card consolidation
  • Home projects
  • Moving costs

Personal loan interest rates depend on several factors, including the borrower’s creditworthiness, lender, loan amount and repayment term. Typically, however, personal loan interest rates range from around 5.99% to 36%, with the lowest rates reserved for borrowers with excellent credit.

Summary: Best Debt Consolidation Loans of April 2024

Company Forbes Advisor Rating Minimum Credit Score Current APR Range Loan Amounts LEARN MORE
Upgrade 4.0 4-removebg-preview 580 8.49% to 35.99% $1,000 to $50,000 Compare Rates Via Credible.com's Website
Universal Credit 4.0 4-removebg-preview 580 11.69% to 35.99% $1,000 to $50,000 Compare Rates Compare rates from participating lenders via Forbes Advisor
Happy Money 4.0 4-removebg-preview 640 11.72% to 17.99% $5,000 to $40,000 Compare Rates Via Credible.com's Website
Achieve 4.0 4-removebg-preview 620 8.99% to 35.99% $7,500 to $40,000
Discover 4.0 4-removebg-preview 660 7.99% to 24.99% $2,500 to $40,000 Compare Rates Via Fiona.com's Website
Best Egg 3.5 3.5-removebg-preview-1 640 8.99% to 35.99% $2,000 to $50,000 Compare Rates Via Credible.com's Website
LendingClub 3.5 3.5-removebg-preview-1 600 8.98% to 35.99% $1,000 to $40,000 Compare Rates Via Credible.com's Website
LightStream 3.5 3.5-removebg-preview-1 660 6.99% to 25.49% $5,000 to $100,000 Compare Rates Via Credible.com's Website
SoFi® 3.5 3.5-removebg-preview-1 650 8.99% to 29.99% $5,000 to $100,000 Compare Rates Via Credible.com's Website

Which Debt Consolidation Loan Is Best for You

Best for Bad Credit: Upgrade

With a low minimum credit score of 580, Upgrade is a much more accessible option for borrowers who have a poor credit history.

Best for Comparing Multiple Offers: Universal Credit

As a lending platform that offers personal loans through its partners, Universal Credit is a good option for borrowers looking to compare offers from multiple lenders.

Best for Flexible Repayment Terms: Happy Money

With loans ranging from $5,000 to $40,000 and terms of two to five years, Happy Money gives borrowers a flexible option for consolidating debt.

Best for Paying Off Credit Card Debt: Achieve

Achieve offers borrowers rate discounts and the option to directly pay off creditors, making it a good option for borrowers looking to consolidate their credit card debt.

Best for No Interest If Repaid Within 30 Days: Discover

Discover is a great option for borrowers who can repay their loan within the first month, as this makes the loan interest-free.

Best for Debt Consolidation Perks: Best Egg

With Best Egg’s Direct Pay feature and no prepayment penalty, Best Egg stands out for the features it offers borrowers.

Best for Peer-To-Peer Lending: LendingClub

For borrowers looking for a peer-to-peer loan, LendingClub offers debt consolidation loans with high maximum loan limits and flexible qualification requirements.

Best for Low Interest Rates: LightStream

With competitive interest rates, LightSteam is a low-cost option for borrowers who can qualify for the lowest rates.

Best for Large Loan Amounts: SoFi

SoFi’s loan amounts range from $5,000 to $100,000, making SoFi a good option for borrowers who need to consolidate a large amount of debt.

How To Compare Best Debt Consolidation Loans

Personal loans often are available online through traditional banks, credit unions and alternative lending platforms so you can apply quickly and conveniently, without having to visit a bank branch. Many of these lenders also offer competitive interest rates and flexible repayment terms, meaning you may be able to save money by consolidating your other debts.

Consider these tips when comparing personal loans:

Where possible, prequalify

Consider the purpose of your loan

Keep an eye out for additional fees

Evaluate the lender’s customer support options

Pro Tip

Don’t settle for the first debt consolidation loan you come across. Shop around and compare interest rates, repayment terms, and any additional fees or charges. A slightly lower interest rate or more flexible terms can make a significant difference in the long run.

The Complete Guide to Debt Consolidation Loans

What Is a Debt Consolidation Loan?

Debt consolidation is when a borrower takes out a new loan, usually with more favorable terms (a lower interest rate, lower monthly payment or both) and then uses the loan proceeds to pay off their other individual debts. Debt consolidation loans are commonly used to help pay off credit card balances, auto loans and other personal loans.

How Does a Debt Consolidation Loan Work?

To start consolidating debt, apply for a personal loan through your bank or another lender. Once your lender approves you for a debt consolidation loan, it may offer to pay off your other debts automatically—or you will take the cash and pay them off yourself.

After your pre-existing debts are repaid with your new debt consolidation loan funds, you’ll make a single payment on your new loan every month. While debt consolidation often reduces your monthly payment, it accomplishes this by extending the loan period of the consolidated loans. Debt consolidation also streamlines payments and makes it easier to manage finances, like having a single monthly payment due date.

Pro Tip

Using personal loans can be a convenient way to consolidate and pay off high-interest credit card debt. Interest rates on personal loans are usually fixed, which means the interest rate and payment stay the same for the entire loan term. You can also take comfort in knowing your debt will be paid off by a predetermined date as long as you make each payment as scheduled.

Does Debt Consolidation Hurt Your Credit?

Debt consolidation loans can hurt your credit, but the impacts can be temporary. Applying for a loan requires a hard credit check, which can result in a small dip in your credit score. However, the impact of the inquiry on your score will decrease over time and disappear typically after two years. Your credit score may also decrease if you take out a debt consolidation loan, pay off your credit cards and then rack up more debt on those cards.

That said, consolidating loans can be a great way to streamline your payments, reduce your monthly debt service and build healthy financial habits through regular, on-time payments. For that reason, consolidation loans can actually help you improve your credit score over time. What’s more, some lenders even offer credit tools beyond regular lending services to help you manage your credit profile.

Pros and Cons of Debt Consolidation Loans

Debt consolidation loans are a finance tool. Like any tool, it can either help or hurt you, depending on how you use it. Before you submit an application to borrow money, make sure you’ve fully considered the pros and cons of debt consolidation loans.

Pros of Debt Consolidation

  • Simplifies your debt repayment
  • Rates may be lower than the rates on credit card debt
  • Helps you pay down debt faster if you opt for shorter-term loans
  • Can improve your credit score, especially if you’re consolidating credit card debt
  • Lowers your payment if you opt for long-term and/or lower-rate loans

Cons of Debt Consolidation

  • Can damage your credit if you miss any loan payments
  • Your options may be more limited if you have bad credit
  • Can be somewhat confusing, especially as your old debts are being paid off
  • Can tempt some people to run up their credit cards again once they’re paid off

How To Qualify for a Debt Consolidation Loan

Qualifying for a debt consolidation loan is similar to any other personal loan.

Shop around for lenders where you meet the minimum qualifications. If you don’t meet the credit score requirements, take steps to improve your credit score. This can include correcting mistakes on your credit report, paying credit card debt or paying down any past-due accounts.

Getting preapproval for a debt consolidation loan can verify that you’ll qualify for the loan when you submit an official loan application.

How To Get a Debt Consolidation Loan

While the process varies by lender, follow these general steps to get a debt consolidation loan:

  • Check your credit score. Check your credit score for free through your credit card issuer or another website that offers free scores. This will help you understand your creditworthiness and qualification chances. Aim for a score of at least 610; however, a score of at least 720 will yield the most favorable terms.
  • If necessary, take steps to improve your credit score. If your score falls below 610 or you want to boost your score to receive the best terms possible, take time to improve your score before applying, such as lowering your credit usage or paying off unpaid debts.
  • Determine how much debt you need to consolidate. Once you check your credit score, calculate how much money you need to borrow to consolidate all of your debts. Remember, though, you’ll receive your money as a lump sum, and you’ll have to pay interest on the entire amount—so only borrow what you need.
  • Shop around for the best terms and interest rates. Many lenders will let you prequalify prior to submitting your application, which lets you see the terms you would receive with just a soft credit inquiry and without hurting your credit score.
  • Submit a formal application and await a lending decision. After you find a lender that offers you the best terms for your situation, submit your application online or in person. Depending on the lender, this process can take a few hours to a few days.

How To Get a Debt Consolidation Loan With Bad Credit

If you have bad credit, you can strengthen your application by improving your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio. You can do this by increasing your income—with a side hustle or otherwise—or by paying off some of your smaller, more manageable debts. If you choose to pay down some of your debts, this could also help improve your credit score, accomplishing two things at once.

There are debt consolidation loans for bad credit if you can’t improve your credit score enough to qualify for other loans. You may also have better luck applying for secured loans, which are more accessible to applicants with bad credit because they reduce the lender’s risk and often come with lower interest rates.

Alternatives to Debt Consolidation Loans

If you don’t qualify for a traditional debt consolidation loan or want to compare other available options, consider alternatives, including:

Is Debt Consolidation a Good Idea?

Determining whether debt consolidation is a good idea for you depends on your credit score and whether you’re taking other steps to improve your financial habits. Debt consolidation may benefit you if:

  • You’re committed to paying off the full amount of your debt consolidation loan
  • You have enough cash flow to cover all of your debt payments
  • You’re okay with repaying your loans over a longer period of time
  • You’ve improved your credit score since you took out your original loans
  • You have a financial plan to avoid running up your debts again

Find the Best Balance Transfer Credit Cards Of 2024

Methodology

We reviewed 15 popular lenders based on 11 data points in the categories of loan details, loan costs, eligibility and accessibility, customer experience and the application process. We chose the 10 best lenders based on the weighting assigned to each category:

  • Loan cost. 35%
  • Loan details. 20%
  • Eligibility and accessibility. 20%
  • Direct payment to creditors. 15%
  • Customer experience. 10%

Within each category, we also considered several characteristics, including available loan amounts, repayment terms, APR ranges and applicable fees. We also looked at minimum credit score requirements, whether each lender accepts co-signers or joint applications and the geographic availability of the lender. Finally, we evaluated the availability of each provider’s customer support team.

Where appropriate, we awarded partial points depending on how well a lender met each criterion.

To learn more about how Forbes Advisor rates lenders, and our editorial process, check out our Loans Rating & Review Methodology.

Recap: Best Debt Consolidation Loans of April 2024

Company Forbes Advisor Rating Minimum Credit Score Current APR Range Loan Amounts LEARN MORE
Upgrade 4.0 4-removebg-preview 580 8.49% to 35.99% $1,000 to $50,000 Compare Rates Via Credible.com's Website
Universal Credit 4.0 4-removebg-preview 580 11.69% to 35.99% $1,000 to $50,000 Compare Rates Compare rates from participating lenders via Forbes Advisor
Happy Money 4.0 4-removebg-preview 640 11.72% to 17.99% $5,000 to $40,000 Compare Rates Via Credible.com's Website
Achieve 4.0 4-removebg-preview 620 8.99% to 35.99% $7,500 to $40,000
Discover 4.0 4-removebg-preview 660 7.99% to 24.99% $2,500 to $40,000 Compare Rates Via Fiona.com's Website
Best Egg 3.5 3.5-removebg-preview-1 640 8.99% to 35.99% $2,000 to $50,000 Compare Rates Via Credible.com's Website
LendingClub 3.5 3.5-removebg-preview-1 600 8.98% to 35.99% $1,000 to $40,000 Compare Rates Via Credible.com's Website
LightStream 3.5 3.5-removebg-preview-1 660 6.99% to 25.49% $5,000 to $100,000 Compare Rates Via Credible.com's Website
SoFi® 3.5 3.5-removebg-preview-1 650 8.99% to 29.99% $5,000 to $100,000 Compare Rates Via Credible.com's Website

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Should I get a personal loan to pay off debt?

Falling behind on debt payments can have a damaging effect on your credit score and may ultimately result in repossession of collateral or accounts being sent to collections. If you’re struggling to make payments on all of your individual debts, consider taking out a personal loan to streamline your payments and increase the repayment term—thereby reducing your monthly payment.

A debt consolidation loan also may be a good option if your credit score has improved since you applied for your loans. By qualifying for a lower interest rate on a debt consolidation loan, you’ll be able to reduce how much you pay over the life of your loans.

How long are the terms of a debt consolidation loan?

The most common term for debt consolidation loans are three to five years. You may be able to find lenders offering different term lengths ranging from one year to 10 years, however.

How much can I save with debt consolidation?

How much you can save depends on the amount you’re paying off, your interest rates and your term length. A debt consolidation loan can have lower interest rates than your current debt, and in some cases, shortening your loan term can also save you money on interest.

debt consolidation calculator can help you understand how much you’ll save with a debt consolidation loan.

Is there debt consolidation for veterans?

Veterans who have Veterans Affairs (VA) loans may qualify for a Military Debt Consolidation Loan (MDCL), also known as a VA Consolidation Loan. This acts as a cash-out refinance. Veterans who don’t have VA loans can rely on traditional personal loans to consolidate their debts.

How long does it take to get approved for a consolidation loan?

Approval turnaround times typically vary per institution. For example, some online lenders may approve your loan within a matter of minutes, while banks may take a few days or up to a week to process. Once your loan is approved, funding can arrive within 24 to 48 hours or up to one week, depending on your lender.

Also, keep in mind that once you are approved for a debt consolidation loan, it might take several weeks to pay off your existing debts, depending on the lender. They will likely still hold you responsible for any payment due dates within that waiting period.

Next Up In Personal Loans

Information provided on Forbes Advisor is for educational purposes only. Your financial situation is unique and the products and services we review may not be right for your circumstances. We do not offer financial advice, advisory or brokerage services, nor do we recommend or advise individuals or to buy or sell particular stocks or securities. Performance information may have changed since the time of publication. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Forbes Advisor adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. To the best of our knowledge, all content is accurate as of the date posted, though offers contained herein may no longer be available. The opinions expressed are the author’s alone and have not been provided, approved, or otherwise endorsed by our partners.
Kiah Treece
Loans Writer

Kiah Treece is a small business owner and personal finance expert with experience in loans, business and personal finance, insurance and real estate. Her focus is on demystifying debt to help individuals and business owners take control of their finances. She has also been featured by Investopedia, Los Angeles Times, Money.com and other financial publications.

Lindsay VanSomeren is a personal finance writer based out of Kirkland, Washington. Her work has appeared on Business Insider, Credit Karma, LendingTree, and more.

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