Bad credit is a disease that eats away at people who have it, whereas good credit is a prized possession and a source of pride. Your credit score is lowered by credit card debt, which makes it harder for you to rent an apartment, buy a car, buy a home, and occasionally even get hired.
It’s time to take action and consider debt consolidation if your credit score is plummeting as a result of your inability to pay your obligations on time.
A lower interest rate is achieved by consolidating all unsecured obligations (usually credit card bills) into a single payment each month.
It can be difficult to get approved for a debt consolidation loan if you have terrible credit. Numerous lenders won’t work with borrowers who have poor credit. You wouldn’t require a consolidation loan if you didn’t have credit issues, so that may not make much sense. However, lenders seek clients who will make on-time repayments. It is not a risk they are inclined to accept if you have not been responsible for repaying prior loans, credit cards, and other debts.
Even if you are successful in obtaining a loan, the consolidation lenders will require guarantees that you will pay them back. Your employment history will be investigated, and they may even request collateral in order to reduce the risk. In that case, you might want to think twice about whether a bad credit debt consolidation loan is the best debt relief option for you.
A Consolidation Loan with Bad Credit: Where to Apply
There are certain consolidation loans that are superior to others and some that you should completely avoid. The best place to start is with mainstream lenders, albeit they are generally the pickiest when it comes to eligibility.
» Discover more: Debt Relief for People with Bad Credit
The most likely debt consolidation lenders are:
Credit unions and banks
Commercial lenders like banks aren’t very interested in debt consolidation loans. Even if you are a consistent customer, be ready for disappointment.
Credit unions are nonprofit organizations with members who are also owners. Because they desire to look out for their own interests, they tend to be more adaptable.
Both are governed and are subject to tight regulations. They employ risk-based lending methods that impose higher interest rates on customers with low credit scores as a result. The less money you qualify for a loan for, the higher interest rate you’ll have to pay.
Online Lenders for Debt Consolidation
These companies will use a consolidation loan to pay down your debts, and you’ll make a set amount to them in equal monthly installments.
When determining whether to accept you as a customer and how much interest to charge, online debt consolidation lenders, like banks, frequently utilize a risk model. They typically provide a number of options for consolidation for people with poor credit histories. The loans range in size from $1,000 to $50,000, with repayment periods of three to five years. Think carefully before investing in this one because the interest rates might be very high (between 25% and 35%).
Payday Loans
In the “Lenders to Avoid” section, list these. Payday lenders offer extremely high interest rate, 399% APR, and short-term loans. Compare it to the 10%–18% you pay on a debt consolidation loan and the 25%–30% you pay on your credit cards. In contrast to what you want, their hefty interest rates can rapidly leave you owing much more than you borrowed.
Lenders & Rates for Debt Consolidation
Be cautious when you investigate each debt consolidation loan option because there are several to choose from. Although average loan rates for debt consolidation vary, they are largely determined by your credit score.
How to Get a Loan to Consolidate Debt with Poor Credit
Before you apply for a consolidation loan, clean up the mistakes on your credit report and find out what your credit score is. Getting a debt consolidation loan would require first making improvements in those two areas.
Other strategies to improve your borrowing appeal include:
- By making on-time bill payments, you can raise your credit score.
- Don’t go above 30% of your credit card limit when making purchases.
- Avoid applying for new credit cards.
- Attempt to lower your debt-to-income ratio. Although not often recognized, this issue has significant influence with lenders.
- Pay off whatever debt that you can.
In addition to credit scores, look for debt consolidation loans where the lender will take employment history, income, and education into account. - Have a friend or family member cosign the loan on your behalf.
Should You Make a Loan Application for Debt Consolidation?
When applying for a debt consolidation loan with bad credit, there are numerous factors to take into account.
- If you’re thinking about getting a secured loan, you’re pledging a valued asset as collateral—like your house or car.
- Someone with poor credit will pay an extremely high interest rate. Enhance your credit rating before applying.
- A hard inquiry is made when you apply for a new credit line, which could damage your credit score.
- Some lenders provide benefits like free credit score monitoring, direct payment to creditors, and flexibility if you face difficulties.
- Getting a debt consolidation loan, but then continuing to rack up debt, would only make your situation worse.
- How much will debt consolidation help you save on a monthly and long-term basis?
Numerous lending websites offer free debt calculators that let you compare your current payments to what they would be given a particular interest rate and loan period. Even if it may seem like a lot of hectic work, you should nonetheless complete it.
Does a Low Credit Score Immediately Rule You Out?
The likelihood that you will be approved for a debt consolidation loan is definitely quite important. They play a role in determining the interest rate. It might become challenging or impossible to borrow money when your credit score drops, which is typically caused by missed credit card payments. Keep a tight eye on your credit rating.
Application Procedures for a Debt Consolidation Loan
Put the credit cards away for six months if your credit score is beneath 660 and focus on raising it instead. Additionally, look for inaccuracies on your credit record that could harm your score.
Apply first at your neighborhood bank or credit union if you have a relationship with them. If not, now is the perfect opportunity to begin one by setting up an account. Bring your Social Security card, some form of state identification, and financial documents (paycheck stubs, tax returns, bank statements, etc.).
Be prepared to argue that you are a trustworthy borrower. Show them a budget or documentation of your most recent, accountable financial actions. Avoid taking on more debt.
Alternatives to Consolidating Debt
There are debt consolidation options that can help you if poor credit prevents you from getting a loan. Before selecting one of these solutions, carefully examine their costs and efficacies.
- Debt management plans combine credit card debt, lower your interest rate, and help you come up with a monthly payment you can afford. You can pay off your debt in three to five years, but it’s not a loan.
- In order to get a home equity loan or line of credit (HELOC) that can be used to pay off combined debts, homeowners could draw on the equity in their home. If you are unable to make payments, you run the risk of losing your house.
- While asking creditors to forgive a sizable percentage of your debt in exchange for a lump-sum payment sounds appealing, there are a number of elements at play that make this a dangerous, occasionally expensive decision.
- Your 401k retirement account can be used for borrowing purposes, but if you are under the age of 59 and a half, there is a 10% penalty and you will be taxed on the amount withdrawn. This is not regarded as a wise choice.
- A family member or friend with strong credit may cosign the loan on your behalf if you are unable to obtain a debt consolidation loan on your own. Remember that if you default on the loan, your cosigner could be held liable.
- For free guidance on any of the options listed in this section, get in touch with a nonprofit credit counseling organization. At the very least, they may outline the advantages and disadvantages of each choice, which should assist you in making a more informed choice.
A Debt Consolidation Loan’s Management
You have made progress if you can consolidate your bills through a loan or another type of debt relief program, but it normally takes three to five years to improve your credit score and pay off your debt.
The most crucial step, seeking assistance, has already been taken, but there are still a few things you can do to increase your chances of success.
Set up a budget. Making an honest, realistic budget is the simplest method to improve your financial status. Every month, take a look at it to see if there isn’t one more expense you can slash or revenue you can add.
Pay promptly! Pay the maximum your budget will allow as well as the minimum balance due on each credit card. Your score will go up just by doing that.
It would be nice if you could put your credit cards aside for a month. Your outcomes would be fantastic if you extended that to six months.
Follow your development. Call the company to find out your status if you have a bank loan or are enrolled in a debt relief program. Success will multiply itself!