Top 10 Debt Consolidation Loans


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Personal loans are best for paying off debt faster. Customers can build their credit history with this loan. The low minimum score requirement and debt-to-income ratio combined with rate discounts, longer repayment terms, and direct payment make it an appealing choice.
Features
Pros
Joint and secured loans
Rate discounts
Direct payment to creditors
Cons
Non-flexible payment dates
Origination fee is compulsory

SoFi

Applying for a debt consolidation loan at SoFi invites a plethora of benefits. It covers everything from estate planning discounts and unemployment protection to financial and career advising sessions. Customers can enjoy flexible repayment terms and a convenient range of loan amounts.
Features
Pros
No late fee
Joint loan option
Hardship program
Cons
High minimum credit line
Rigid payment dates

LightStream

LightStream offers unsecured loans to borrowers with good credit scores at a loose fee structure. Flexible funds transfer and repayment dates allow you to tailor the loan to your needs.
Features
Pros
Rate beat program
No fee Rate
Discount on autopay
Cons
No option to pre-qualify
No direct payment

Achieve

Achieve fits best for those aiming to consolidate unsecured and large debts. By directly paying off your creditors, you can reduce 4% points off your rate. On the other hand, retirement savings bring you up to 5% points down the rate.
Features
Pros
Pre-qualifying is available
Joint loan option
Rate discounts
Cons
High minimum credit line
Mandatory origination fee

Happy Money

Loan agreements with competitive APRs are where Happy Money shines. Since it reports to the three primary bureaus, you have a better shot at boosting your credit history. You can pay off the creditors directly using Happy Money personal loans.
Features
Pros
Monthly FICO reviews
Fewer fees
Changeable payment dates
Cons
No cosigner loans
Origination fee
Low maximum credit line

Best Egg

Consolidate your debt with Best Egg's borrower-friendly offers. With a minimum annual income of $3,500, you can avail yourself of beneficial features like financial health tools and competitive APRs. It compensates for non-negotiable origination fees by paying up to 10 creditors at a time.
Features
Pros
Unsecured and secured loan options
No late fee
Direct payment to the creditors
Cons
No rate discounts
Compulsory origination fee

Discover

Discover personal loans, which are known for being widely accessible and convenient. They offer large unsecured loans to borrowers with good-to-excellent credit scores. Discover performs only a soft credit check and helps you qualify for a debt.
Features
Pros
Fast funding
Zero origination fee
Soft credit pull
Cons
No rate discounts
Late fee

LendingClub

LendingClub is the ideal option for small loan borrowers. Apart from the origination fee and late fee, the structure is liberating for customers. Its competitive APRs save you money on interest.
Features
Pros
Direct debt disbursement
Flexible payment dates
Joint loan
Cons
High minimum APR
Late fee

PNC

PNC Bank pulls through for those wanting a loan with bad credit scores. Without minimum credit requirements and origination fee, its loans are the go-to choice for many. Its pre-qualify option—which has no effect on your credit score— is available in some states, so do your research well.
Features
Pros
No minimum credit score
Joint loan option
No origination fee
Cons
No large loans
Could mandate an in-person visit

Universal Credit

Using Universal Credit personal loans to pay off your high-interest debts will help you build your credit score. Although UC's starting rates are higher than those of other lenders, fast funding and multiple rate discounts make up for it.
Features
Pros
Free credit score reports
Fast funding
Direct payment
Cons
Fewer repayment term options
High origination fee
Eligibility Criteria for the Loan
Before you apply for any debt consolidation loan, it is imperative that you check and see if you fit the eligibility criteria for the loan. Here’s what you need to ensure to be eligible for SoFi’s personal loan for debt consolidation:
- You are at least the age of majority in your state and able to enter into a binding contract.
- You are either a United States citizen, eligible permanent resident, or non-permanent resident alien (including DACA recipients and asylum seekers).
- You reside in a state where SoFi Lending Corporation or SoFi Bank, N.A is authorized to lend.
- You must be employed, have sufficient income from other sources, or have an offer of employment to start within the next 90 days.
Documents Required
To apply for a SoFi Debt Consolidation loan, prospective borrowers may need to provide certain documentation. While the specific requirements can vary, typical documentation includes:
- Proof of Identity and Citizenship: As a borrower, you'll likely need to provide a valid form of identification, such as a driver's license or passport, to confirm your identity and U.S. citizenship or eligible status.
- Proof of Residence: Documentation confirming your current U.S. residency is often required. This could include utility bills or a lease agreement.
- Underwriting Requirements: SoFi utilizes underwriting standards to assess eligibility. While specific details aren't explicitly outlined, factors such as credit history, income, and employment status may be considered.
Proof of Income: Demonstrating a stable income is crucial. Pay stubs, tax returns, or bank statements may be requested to verify your financial capacity. You may also include other income documents as requested by SoFi.
How to apply?
To apply for a SoFi Debt Consolidation Loan, follow these steps:
- Eligibility Check: Visit the SoFi Debt Consolidation Loans page to check your eligibility. Ensure you meet the U.S. citizenship or eligible status requirements and reside in the U.S.
- Start Application: Initiate the application process by providing the necessary information, including your personal details, financial situation, and the purpose of the loan.
- Underwriting Requirements: SoFi has underwriting standards to assess eligibility. Be prepared to meet criteria such as credit history, income, and employment status.
- Documentation: Prepare documentation, including proof of identity, U.S. residency, proof of income, and any additional documents SoFi may require for the application process.
- Credit Score Check: SoFi typically looks for a minimum credit score of 680. Be aware that your credit score may impact your eligibility and the terms of the loan.
- Submit Application: Complete and submit the online application. The entire process is designed to be efficient, and it usually takes less than 30 minutes on average.
- Loan Approval: If your application is approved, you'll receive details about your loan offer, including the interest rate and loan terms.
- Acceptance and Funding: Review the terms carefully. If satisfied, accept the loan offer. Once accepted, funds are typically disbursed promptly.
Comparisons
Terms and Conditions
When considering a SoFi Debt Consolidation Loan, pay attention to the following key terms and conditions:
- Ensure you meet the eligibility criteria, including U.S. citizenship or eligible status, residence in the U.S., and compliance with SoFi's underwriting standards.
- Understand the APR (Annual Percentage Rate) associated with the loan. SoFi offers a range of APRs, and the rate you receive depends on factors like creditworthiness and loan terms.
- Check for any fees associated with the loan. SoFi is known for not charging origination fees on personal loans.
Even though you're not making payments, interest keeps adding up during these breaks. This accumulated interest is added to your loan balance after each three-month pause. To use UPP, you need to show proof that you've applied for and qualify for unemployment compensation. Additionally, you should collaborate with SoFi counselors to help you find a new job.
References
https://www.lendingtree.com/credit-cards/credit-card-debt-statistics/
https://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/credit-card-debt.asp
https://www.businessinsider.com/us-economy-debt-credit-card-debt-1-trillion-interest-rates-2023-9
https://www.bankrate.com/finance/credit-cards/ways-to-pay-off-credit-card-debt/
FAQ's
LendingClub bases approval off credit scores and debt-to-income or DTI ratio. If you're applying as a single applicant with a low credit score, it is a long shot for them to pass the green-light. However, you can certainly improve your chances with a joint loan.
PNC devised this program to help borrowers pay off their mortgage loans faster. Every 14 days, half of your mortgage payment is deducted from your accounts. According to this, you will make a total of 13 payments instead of 12.
Instead of ghosting your bank and ruining your credit score, you can take a more ethical approach. Contact your lender and ask if they can redirect your debt to a debt collection agency.
Whether you seek a student, medical, home, personal, or debt consolidation loan, you enjoy a flexible tenure. Borrowers can pick any period falling under the range of 36 to 84 months.