Borrowing that looks beyond your score

A personal loan structured for bad credit is a fixed-rate installment loan designed for borrowers with limited or less-than-perfect credit histories.

Personal loans through Upstart range from $1,000 to $75,000⁴, with 3- or 5-year terms. APRs range from 6.2% to 35.99%². There are no prepayment penalties, and fixed monthly payments stay the same for the life of the loan.

If your credit score isn’t particularly high, you could still have options. Our process doesn’t rely on your credit score alone. We use more than 2,500 data variables¹⁶ to paint a fuller picture of your financial situation and introduce personal loan options—helping you access the money you need. 

For example, personal loans are typically “unsecured” loans¹², meaning they’re not backed by collateral like a house or car—they’re backed by your commitment to repay. However, there may be an option to secure your personal loan through Upstart with your vehicle, which will require a lien to be placed on the title.

You can check your eligibility, options, and potential rates in minutes. Most importantly, there’s no impact to your credit score to check your rate⁵.

No. Legitimate lenders can’t guarantee loan approval before reviewing your application. If a lender promises guaranteed approval, it may be a sign of predatory lending or fraud. Be careful!

Approval for a personal loan through Upstart isn’t guaranteed. However, our underwriting model will consider factors such as income, employment, and education¹⁰ alongside your credit history.

Yes! Online loans can be a safe way to borrow when offered by legitimate lenders. However, be sure to review the lender's rates, fees, repayment terms, and privacy practices before applying. Be cautious of lenders that advertise guaranteed approval, require upfront fees, or pressure you to act quickly.

Upstart is a publicly traded lending platform (NYSE: UPST) founded in 2012, serving more than 4 million borrowers⁷. We’re transparent about rates and terms before you commit, and you can check your rate in minutes with no upfront fees and no impact to your credit score⁵.

Personal loans through Upstart offer fixed monthly payments over a 3- or 5-year term². Payday loans typically require full repayment within a few weeks and often carry significantly higher costs. We don’t offer payday loans.

Cash Lineᵀᴹ is a revolving line of credit through Upstart, similar in structure to a credit card, with cash deposited directly into your bank account. Unlike a personal loan, you can borrow, repay, and borrow again up to your approved limit. It may be an option if you’re looking for smaller amounts of cash or don't qualify for a personal loan.

Yes, it’s possible but approval is subject to your financial profile. In fact, many borrowers use personal loans to consolidate credit card balances and other debts into a single monthly payment. Our underwriting model considers factors beyond your credit score when evaluating applications, including income, employment, and other information.