The best emergency personal loans for poor credit are from OneMain Financial due to low credit requirements, fast funding, secured loans, and the option to add a cosigner (if you apply via its website). Other top picks include Universal Credit and Upgrade.
The following lenders all have at least one of these traits: low or no credit score minimums, they allow cosigners, or they offer secured loans.
Compare personal loan rates for poor credit
Advertiser DisclosureOverview
Avant personal loans are a good choice for borrowers with bad credit looking for small- to moderate-sized personal loans. Loans are available up to $35,000 and you could get the money as soon as the next business day after approval. Plus, Avant is more likely than some lenders to approve the applications of borrowers who've prequalified with Avant. However, the lender charges an origination fee up to 9.99%, and its top-range interest rates are among the highest of the lenders we reviewed.
pros
- Borrowers with bad credit considered
- Funds as soon as the next business day
- 2-year loan terms available
cons
- No discounts offered
- Origination fee
- Not available in HI, IA, MA, ME, NY, VT, WV, WA, AP, AE, and AA
Fees
Origination fee, late fee, dishonored payment fee
Eligibility
Available in all states except HI, IA, MA, ME, NY, VT, WV, WA, AP, AE, and AA
Time to get funds
As soon as the next business day (if approved by 4:30 p.m. CT on a weekday)
Loan uses
Debt consolidation, emergency expense, life event, home improvement, and other purposes
Read full reviewOverview
OneMain Financial has multiple options for bad-credit personal loans. There is no minimum credit score required (if you apply directly with OneMain), which means you could get a loan with bad credit (FICO below 580). Plus, cosigners are allowed — a cosigner is someone (ideally, with good credit) who promises to repay the loan if you can't, which can make it easier to qualify or lower your rate. And, secured personal loans are available. You secure a loan with collateral, which may also help you qualify or lower your rate.
Rates are higher than competitors and OneMain charges origination fees as either a flat fee up to $500, or a percentage from 1% to 10% (depending on your state of residence). Note that even if you prequalify for a personal loan with OneMain, getting approved isn't a given.
pros
- Flexible eligibility requirements
- Offers secured options
- Competitive bad-credit loans
- Physical presence
cons
- Availability
- Origination fees
- High starting APR
- Low maximum loan amount
Fees
Origination fee, unsuccessful payment fee, late fee
Eligibility
Must have photo I.D. issued by U.S. federal, state or local government
Time to get funds
As soon as 1 to 2 days after acceptance
Loan use
All except business, and education
Read full reviewOverview
Reprise may be an excellent option if you need a loan with bad credit. The lender says it will consider applicants with FICO scores as low as 560, and offers secured loans as well as some cosigned loans to help you qualify. Loan funds can be available the next business day once you’re approved. Plus, the company has a 4.7 Trustpilot rating — indicating generally satisfied customers.
But Reprise is not for everyone. Available loan amounts are relatively low at $25,000, and the minimum repayment term is relatively high at three years. The lender also charges origination fees, does not offer discounts, and is not available nationwide.
pros
- Loans for bad credit
- 4.7 Trustpilot rating
- Secured loans available
- Cosigners considered
- Next-day funding available
- Easy to contact
cons
- Does not accept self-employment income as a primary source of income
- Minimum 3-year loan term
- Relatively low maximum loan amount ($25,000)
- Origination fees up to 6%
- Not available nationwide
- No mobile app
- No discounts for autopay or direct pay
Fees
$15 late fee except where the state has a different limit (ie. NM), return payment fees - $20 except where state has a different limit (ie – NM), and no prepayment penalty
Eligibility
Unavailable in CO, CT, HI, IA, ME, MD, MA, NV, NJ, NY, SD, VT, WA, and WV
Time to get funds
1-7 business days depending on loan security type
Loan uses
Credit card refinancing, debt consolidation, emergencies, major purchases, medical and dental expenses, moving expenses, special occasions, unexpected expenses, vacation and travel
Read full reviewOverview
Universal Credit is one of a handful of lenders that offers personal loans for bad credit. If your FICO credit score is at least 560, you may be eligible for a Universal Credit personal loan. It offers loan amounts up to $50,000, repayment terms up to seven years, and discounts for direct pay and autopay. Funds are available as soon as the next business day after loan approval.
Note that rates and fees can be relatively high — you may pay an origination fee from 5.25% to 9.99%, and APRs start at 11.69%. If you get a loan with a high interest rate, consider refinancing your personal loan at a lower rate once you've improved your credit score.
pros
- Borrowers with bad credit considered
- $25,000 annual income requirement
- Autopay and direct pay discounts available
- Can fund in one business day
cons
- High APRs
- Potentially high origination fees
- Not available in Iowa
Time to get funds
As soon as 1 business day after acceptance
Loan uses
Debt consolidation, pay off credit cards, home improvements, unexpected expenses, home and auto repairs, weddings, and other major purchases
Read full reviewOverview
Upgrade has a suite of features that make it a very attractive lender: competitive interest rates, discounts for direct pay and autopay, as soon as same-day funding, up to seven-year repayment terms, and nationwide availability. Plus, loans are available to fair-credit borrowers, and you don't need to input your Social Security number to prequalify on the website. Upgrade even offers secured personal loans, which is not common among lenders.
However, Upgrade does charge an origination fee of 1.85% to 9.99%. You must have a FICO score of at least 600 and a minimum income of $25,000 annually to qualify.
pros
- Fair credit borrowers eligible
- Autopay and direct pay discounts
- Can fund in as little as 1 business day
- Mobile app
- Secured loans available
cons
- High maximum origination fee
- Cosigners not accepted on home improvement loans
Loan uses
Credit card refinancing, debt consolidation, home improvement, major purchase, other
Read full reviewOverview
Upstart has low APRs and same-day funding, making it a good choice for well-qualified borrowers who need money fast. It also offers loans as low as $1,000, which makes it a good choice if you need a small loan. Plus, it's one of few lenders that doesn't have a minimum credit score requirement (if you apply on the lender's website), so applicants with bad credit or no credit history might be more likely to get approved for a loan with Upstart. Just know that Upstart may charge an origination fee as high as 12%, but good-credit borrowers may not be charged one at all.
Trustpilot gives Upstart 4.9 stars, which is the highest of all lenders we reviewed.
pros
- May fund in 1 business day
- No minimum credit score requirement on lender site
- Low minimum APR
- Trustpilot score of 4.9/5 stars
cons
- May charge a high origination fee
- No discounts offered
Time to get funds
As soon as 1 to 3 business days
Loan uses
Pay off credit cards, consolidate debt, relocate, make a large purchase, and other purposes
Read full reviewOverview
Avant personal loans are a good choice for borrowers with bad credit looking for small- to moderate-sized personal loans. Loans are available up to $35,000 and you could get the money as soon as the next business day after approval. Plus, Avant is more likely than some lenders to approve the applications of borrowers who've prequalified with Avant. However, the lender charges an origination fee up to 9.99%, and its top-range interest rates are among the highest of the lenders we reviewed.
pros
- Borrowers with bad credit considered
- Funds as soon as the next business day
- 2-year loan terms available
cons
- No discounts offered
- Origination fee
- Not available in HI, IA, MA, ME, NY, VT, WV, WA, AP, AE, and AA
Fees
Origination fee, late fee, dishonored payment fee
Eligibility
Available in all states except HI, IA, MA, ME, NY, VT, WV, WA, AP, AE, and AA
Time to get funds
As soon as the next business day (if approved by 4:30 p.m. CT on a weekday)
Loan uses
Debt consolidation, emergency expense, life event, home improvement, and other purposes
Read full reviewOverview
OneMain Financial has multiple options for bad-credit personal loans. There is no minimum credit score required (if you apply directly with OneMain), which means you could get a loan with bad credit (FICO below 580). Plus, cosigners are allowed — a cosigner is someone (ideally, with good credit) who promises to repay the loan if you can't, which can make it easier to qualify or lower your rate. And, secured personal loans are available. You secure a loan with collateral, which may also help you qualify or lower your rate.
Rates are higher than competitors and OneMain charges origination fees as either a flat fee up to $500, or a percentage from 1% to 10% (depending on your state of residence). Note that even if you prequalify for a personal loan with OneMain, getting approved isn't a given.
pros
- Flexible eligibility requirements
- Offers secured options
- Competitive bad-credit loans
- Physical presence
cons
- Availability
- Origination fees
- High starting APR
- Low maximum loan amount
Fees
Origination fee, unsuccessful payment fee, late fee
Eligibility
Must have photo I.D. issued by U.S. federal, state or local government
Time to get funds
As soon as 1 to 2 days after acceptance
Loan use
All except business, and education
Read full reviewOverview
Reprise may be an excellent option if you need a loan with bad credit. The lender says it will consider applicants with FICO scores as low as 560, and offers secured loans as well as some cosigned loans to help you qualify. Loan funds can be available the next business day once you’re approved. Plus, the company has a 4.7 Trustpilot rating — indicating generally satisfied customers.
But Reprise is not for everyone. Available loan amounts are relatively low at $25,000, and the minimum repayment term is relatively high at three years. The lender also charges origination fees, does not offer discounts, and is not available nationwide.
pros
- Loans for bad credit
- 4.7 Trustpilot rating
- Secured loans available
- Cosigners considered
- Next-day funding available
- Easy to contact
cons
- Does not accept self-employment income as a primary source of income
- Minimum 3-year loan term
- Relatively low maximum loan amount ($25,000)
- Origination fees up to 6%
- Not available nationwide
- No mobile app
- No discounts for autopay or direct pay
Fees
$15 late fee except where the state has a different limit (ie. NM), return payment fees - $20 except where state has a different limit (ie – NM), and no prepayment penalty
Eligibility
Unavailable in CO, CT, HI, IA, ME, MD, MA, NV, NJ, NY, SD, VT, WA, and WV
Time to get funds
1-7 business days depending on loan security type
Loan uses
Credit card refinancing, debt consolidation, emergencies, major purchases, medical and dental expenses, moving expenses, special occasions, unexpected expenses, vacation and travel
Read full reviewOverview
Universal Credit is one of a handful of lenders that offers personal loans for bad credit. If your FICO credit score is at least 560, you may be eligible for a Universal Credit personal loan. It offers loan amounts up to $50,000, repayment terms up to seven years, and discounts for direct pay and autopay. Funds are available as soon as the next business day after loan approval.
Note that rates and fees can be relatively high — you may pay an origination fee from 5.25% to 9.99%, and APRs start at 11.69%. If you get a loan with a high interest rate, consider refinancing your personal loan at a lower rate once you've improved your credit score.
pros
- Borrowers with bad credit considered
- $25,000 annual income requirement
- Autopay and direct pay discounts available
- Can fund in one business day
cons
- High APRs
- Potentially high origination fees
- Not available in Iowa
Time to get funds
As soon as 1 business day after acceptance
Loan uses
Debt consolidation, pay off credit cards, home improvements, unexpected expenses, home and auto repairs, weddings, and other major purchases
Read full reviewOverview
Upgrade has a suite of features that make it a very attractive lender: competitive interest rates, discounts for direct pay and autopay, as soon as same-day funding, up to seven-year repayment terms, and nationwide availability. Plus, loans are available to fair-credit borrowers, and you don't need to input your Social Security number to prequalify on the website. Upgrade even offers secured personal loans, which is not common among lenders.
However, Upgrade does charge an origination fee of 1.85% to 9.99%. You must have a FICO score of at least 600 and a minimum income of $25,000 annually to qualify.
pros
- Fair credit borrowers eligible
- Autopay and direct pay discounts
- Can fund in as little as 1 business day
- Mobile app
- Secured loans available
cons
- High maximum origination fee
- Cosigners not accepted on home improvement loans
Loan uses
Credit card refinancing, debt consolidation, home improvement, major purchase, other
Read full reviewOverview
Upstart has low APRs and same-day funding, making it a good choice for well-qualified borrowers who need money fast. It also offers loans as low as $1,000, which makes it a good choice if you need a small loan. Plus, it's one of few lenders that doesn't have a minimum credit score requirement (if you apply on the lender's website), so applicants with bad credit or no credit history might be more likely to get approved for a loan with Upstart. Just know that Upstart may charge an origination fee as high as 12%, but good-credit borrowers may not be charged one at all.
Trustpilot gives Upstart 4.9 stars, which is the highest of all lenders we reviewed.
pros
- May fund in 1 business day
- No minimum credit score requirement on lender site
- Low minimum APR
- Trustpilot score of 4.9/5 stars
cons
- May charge a high origination fee
- No discounts offered
Time to get funds
As soon as 1 to 3 business days
Loan uses
Pay off credit cards, consolidate debt, relocate, make a large purchase, and other purposes
Read full reviewWhy trust Credible

The Credible editorial team is independent and unbiased — we base ratings on a data-driven process and apply rating algorithms uniformly to ensure fair comparisons between lenders. We never get paid to rank products or lending partners.
Our expert editorial staff analyzed 899 personal loan data points across 31 lenders assessing rates, fees, customer experience, and more to simplify your personal loan comparison. For a deeper dive into our process, see our detailed methodology.
Credible has a 4.8 out of 5 star rating with Trustpilot, based on over 8,000 reviews.
Best emergency loans for poor credit
Before you start comparing quick loans for bad credit, check your credit score, how much you need to borrow, the monthly payment you can afford, and whether you have a willing cosigner to help you qualify. Use this information to narrow down which lenders are best for your situation.
Loan Amount
$1,500 to $20,000
Loan Amount
$1,000 to $50,000
Loan Amount
$1,000 to $35,000
Loan Amount
$1,000 to $50,000
Loan Amount
$2,500 to $25,000
Loan Amount
$1,000 to $50,000
Methodology
Credible evaluated 31 lenders across 899 data points to find the best personal loan lenders for emergency loans for poor credit. Criteria included funding time, minimum credit score requirements, customer experience, minimum fixed rate, maximum loan amount, loan terms, fees, discounts, whether cosigners are accepted, and availability of secured loans.
Each data point was verified by a senior editor to make sure it was accurate and up to date. We used the following metrics and weightings to assign star ratings:
- Rates and fees: 18%
- Loan terms: 18%
- Customer experience: 17%
- Eligibility: 14%
- Customer satisfaction: 10%
- Efficiency: 10%
- Options for poor credit and no credit: 9%
- Discounts: 4%
Learn more about how Credible rates lenders by exploring our personal loans lender rating methodology.
How to compare emergency loans for poor credit
When analyzing your options for emergency loans, here are some of the most important factors to consider:
- Time to fund: This can vary widely depending on the type of loan and the lender. Some lenders will offer same-day funding, but others may take a few business days to get the money to you.
- Annual percentage rate: Annual percentage rate (APR) measures the annual cost of borrowing, combining both the interest rate and any upfront fees. APRs for poor credit tend to be high, so compare your loan options to find one that is competitive and that you can afford.
- Fees: Many personal loan lenders charge origination fees that can range from 0% to 12% of the loan amount and are typically deducted upfront. With options like cash advances and payday loans, fees can make borrowing very expensive. Make sure you count these expenses when considering the total cost of borrowing.
- Loan amounts: If you have a low credit score or carry a lot of existing debt, it may be difficult to borrow the amount you want, and you may be offered a smaller amount instead. Compare lenders to see if one will lend you the amount you need.
- Repayment terms: The repayment term is how long it will take to pay the loan off. Some options, like payday loans, have very short repayment terms of just a couple of weeks, while personal loans and credit card cash advances can take months or years to repay. Generally speaking, the shorter the repayment term, the higher your monthly payment will be and the less interest you’ll pay (though this isn’t always the case, especially with payday loans and other extremely high-APR options).
- Secured loan availability: If you’re struggling to get approved for an unsecured personal loan, a secured personal loan could help you qualify. Only a few lenders offer them (such as Upgrade), and note that the collateral you use to secure the loan is at risk if you default.
- Cosigner or co-applicant option: If you can find a cosigner with a good credit score and positive financial history to help guarantee your loan, you may qualify for better rates. Finding a qualified co-applicant for a joint personal loan, where you share access to the loan and responsibility for repayment, could help in similar ways. However, not many lenders offer personal loans with cosigners or joint personal loans.
Check Out: How To Compare Personal Loans
Expert editor insight: “Secured loans, cosigned loans, and joint personal loans involve more risk than other types of personal loans. Defaulting on a secured loan could result in the lender seizing the asset you pledged as collateral. If you default on a cosigned loan, your cosigner is held responsible for repayment — and probably won’t be pleased with you. If you have a falling-out with your co-borrower on a joint personal loan before the loan is repaid, the question of repayment could lead to further conflict. Whether the potential risk is financial, personal, or both, proceed with caution.”
— Barry Bridges, Personal Loans Editor, Credible
What is an emergency loan for poor credit?
An emergency loan for poor credit is a type of loan that you can get quickly even with a low credit score. Emergency loans can include conventional types of borrowing, such as personal loans and credit card advances, as well as riskier and more expensive options such as payday loans, pawnshop loans, and car title loans.
Since a low credit score limits your options for borrowing, the types of loans that are available to you are likely to come with high interest rates and fees. Some types of loans might even be bad financial options, even though they don’t typically require a credit check. Carefully weigh your choices and try to avoid the more expensive and disreputable lenders for poor credit.
How do emergency loans for poor credit work?
There are a few options for loans for borrowers with low credit scores.
- Personal loans: A personal loan is a type of installment loan. You receive a lump sum of money upfront and repay it, plus interest, in agreed-upon amounts on a monthly schedule. These loans often have better rates than other options, but may be difficult to qualify for if you have a poor credit history.
- Credit card advances: Credit cards sometimes allow you to withdraw cash at a bank or ATM — this is called a cash advance. These withdrawals are often limited to a certain percentage of your total line of credit, generally have a higher interest rate than a normal credit card purchase and come with expensive fees.
- Employee cash advance: If your employer allows it, you can borrow small amounts from an upcoming paycheck. Although laws prohibit employers from profiting from a payroll advance, you could have to pay fees to help cover administrative costs.
- Cash advance apps: Typically, cash advance apps don’t have an APR, but may instead charge subscription fees or fast funding fees, depending on the app. Some apps may encourage voluntary tipping.
- Payday loans: These are short-term loans for small amounts, usually due to be repaid in full on your next payday. They often come with extremely high interest rates and fees — 400% APR is a common rate. These loans have a bad reputation, and have been regulated or outright prohibited in many states.
- Pawnshop loans: Some pawnshops offer short-term loans secured by material assets, such as sporting goods, jewelry, or electronics. The size of the loan is based on the assessed value of the item used as collateral, which the pawnshop holds until the loan is repaid. If the borrower defaults, the pawnshop keeps the item. A combination of Interest, fees, and short repayment terms makes the typical pawnshop loan an expensive way to borrow money.
- Title loans: These loans are also high-cost, short-term loans, but instead of being tied to your paycheck, they’re tied to your car's title. If you don’t repay the loan in full when due, the lender may be able to repossess your car. This makes these loans a risky proposition.
Personal loan rates for poor credit
People with bad credit scores, generally defined as FICO scores below 580, typically pay higher personal loan APRs than people with better credit. Credible personal loan data indicate that prequalified APRs above 30% are common.
Average prequalified interest rates for personal loans were selected by borrowers with credit scores below 580 who prequalified for a personal loan on the Credible marketplace in April 2025. Source: Credible.com
It’s important to remember that a prequalified rate is an estimate, not an offer of credit. Rates and terms of a loan offer may differ from prequalification results.
Personal loan rates by loan purpose
If you need an emergency loan for a specific purpose, what APR could you expect to pay with a FICO score below 580? The following table shows examples of average interest rates for potential emergency loans, based on Credible personal loan data:
| Average APR for 580 FICO scores below 580 |
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| |
| |
| |
| |
Disclosure: Average interest rates for borrowers with FICO scores below 580 who closed on a loan between March 2024 and February 2025. Source: Credible.
Compare types of emergency loans for poor credit
| | | | |
---|
| Up to $50,000, depending on the lender | | - Origination fees
- Late payment fees
- Non-sufficient funds (NSF) fees
| Anywhere from the same or next business day to a week, varies by lender |
| Limited by your credit card company | | 2% to 5% of cash advance amount | |
| | | - Subscription fees
- Fast funding fees
- Optional tips
| |
| Typically up to $500, though some states allow higher amounts | | $10 to $30 for every $100 borrowed | |
| 25% to 50% of your car’s value | | - Finance fees of up to 25% of loan amount per month
- Processing fees
- Document fees
- Loan origination fees
- May require a roadside service plan
| |
Pros and cons of emergency loans for poor credit
Pros:
- Get the money you need fast: The biggest upside of getting a loan is that you can take care of your emergency needs.
- May help you build your credit: If you get a personal loan or a credit card cash advance and are able to make your payments in full and on time, that may help you boost your credit score. Your payment history on account types including credit cards and installment loans makes up 35% of your FICO score, the most commonly used credit scoring model.
Cons:
- Expensive: Loans that you can get quickly and loans for poor credit often come with high interest rates and fees. You’ll pay a lot to borrow money, even if it’s a relatively small amount and for a short time.
- Can trap you in a cycle of high-cost debt: Some emergency loans that cater to borrowers with bad credit have a history of pushing borrowers into high-cost rollovers. Payday loans have a bad reputation for this, with many borrowers paying high fees and interest rates to roll over their loan month to month rather than paying it off.
Eligibility criteria for emergency loans for poor credit
While each lender and type of loan will have different standards for borrowers, here are some of the basic criteria to expect:
- Age requirement: State laws determine at what age you’re eligible to borrow, but most states and lenders say you have to be 18 years old to enter into a legal contract.
- Employment status: Most lenders will require that you have a job and present proof of employment.
- Monthly income: This may seem like the same thing as employment status, but it can include annuities, pensions, other retirement income, and public assistance such as Social Security Disability Insurance.
- Existing debt obligations: You may hear the phrase “debt-to-income ratio” also known as DTI, when you’re talking to a lender — this is how much of your pretax monthly income goes to debt payments each month. DTI is used to determine if you can reasonably borrow and repay more money.
- Credit score: Your credit score is a number assigned to you based on your financial history. FICO uses your payment history, the length of your credit history, the mix of credit that you carry, how much debt you carry, and new credit inquiries to determine your score.
Check Out: What Are the Requirements for a Personal Loan?
FAQ
What can I use an emergency loan for?
Open
You can use an emergency loan for almost any purpose. Personal loans come with very few restrictions on what you can use them for.
Read more: What Are Personal Loans Used For?How can I improve my credit score?
Open
Some quick ways to improve your credit score include checking your credit report for errors, paying your bills on time, lowering the amount of debt you carry, and diversifying your credit mix.
Read more: How To Build Your Credit: A Step-by-Step GuideWhere can I get an emergency loan?
Open
Some of the most common places to get emergency loans are from payday and title loan lenders, though these options come with high risks.
You could instead apply for a personal loan from a bank, credit union, or online lender, or use a cash advance app or credit card cash advance.
Read more: Where Can I Get a Personal Loan?Disclosure: Some lending partners that participate in Credible’s comparison marketplace offer loans to borrowers with scores as low as 550. Borrowers with low scores will have fewer lending options than borrowers with higher credit scores.
Meet the expert:
Hilary Collins
Hilary Collins is a finance writer and editor with over seven years of experience. Her work has been featured by USA Today, MSN, Yahoo Finance, AOL, and Fox Business.