Key takeaways

  • A debt consolidation loan may not be as effective when you have bad credit.
  • It may be worth waiting and taking steps to increase your approval odds before applying.
  • Strategies to improve your chances of getting a good deal include checking your credit report, raising your score, shopping around and looking into secured options.

Debt consolidation is a debt management strategy that allows you to combine multiple debts into a single account. One of the most common ways to consolidate debt is to use a debt consolidation loan — a personal loan used to pay off multiple creditors.

Debt consolidation loans can make it easier for you to get out of debt, as you’ll only have to worry about managing one account, potentially with a lower interest rate. Although it may be tough to get this type of loan with bad credit, there are several actions you can take to increase your loan approval odds.

Debt
What is a debt consolidation loan?

A debt consolidation loan is a personal loan that’s used to combine multiple debts. These loans can make your debts more manageable — and you may get a lower interest rate, saving money over time.

How to get a debt consolidation loan with bad credit

If you’re struggling to get out of debt and think a debt consolidation loan can help, but have poor credit — a FICO score of 669 and under or a VantageScore below 661 — consider following these steps to find the right debt consolidation loan for your situation.

1. Check and monitor your credit score

Lenders base loan decisions largely upon the condition of your credit. Generally, the lower your credit score, the higher the interest rates lenders will offer you on financing.

Many banks offer free tools that allow you to check and monitor your credit score. Once you know your credit score, it’s easier to identify lenders that may be willing to work with you. There are lenders specializing in bad credit loans, but many list credit score requirements on their websites, which can help narrow down your choices.

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Bankrate tip

Check with your bank or credit card issuer to see if it offers tools that allow you to see your credit score for free.

2. Shop around

It’s rarely a good idea to accept the first loan offer you see. Instead, do your research and compare loan amounts, repayment terms and fees from multiple sources. You can find these loans at local banks, credit unions and online lenders. This process can take time, but it might save you hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars.

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Bankrate tip

Compare your loan options from multiple lenders to find the best debt consolidation loan for your needs. Go to each lender’s website to learn about its products and qualification requirements.

3. Consider a secured loan

If you’re having a hard time qualifying for a regular debt consolidation loan, a secured loan might be worth considering.

Unlike unsecured loans, secured loans require some form of collateral, such as a vehicle, home or another asset. If you default, the lender will seize the collateral to recoup its funds. Because of this, getting approved for a secured loan is typically easier than an unsecured one, and you may even qualify for a better interest rate.

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Bankrate tip

To increase your loan approval odds and chances of landing a lower rate, shop around for a secured personal loan.

4. Wait and improve your credit

If you’ve tried everything and can’t find a loan that will help you save money, it may be best to hold off and take some time to work on your credit.

Make it a goal to pay your monthly debts on time for several months. It’s also a good idea to focus on paying down credit card balances and cutting down on nonessential monthly expenses.

You should also get a copy of your three credit reports, which you can do for free weekly by visiting AnnualCreditReport.com, and check for errors. If you find any, you can dispute them with the three credit reporting agencies, Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.

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Bankrate tip

To increase your chances of receiving a lower rate, take these steps to improve your credit score: Pay your debt on time, pay off as much credit card debt as possible and review your credit reports for errors.

Where to get a debt consolidation loan for bad credit

With so many lenders out there, it can be overwhelming trying to decide where to begin. Here are some good places to start your search when choosing the right debt consolidation lender.

Credit unions and local banks

If you’re a local bank customer or a credit union member, you can talk to a loan officer about whether you qualify for a personal loan — and what the rate and terms are if you do. The institution may look beyond your low credit score and consider your entire financial history, personal circumstances and relationship you have with them to approve you for the loan.

Online lenders

Online lenders are good places to look for debt consolidation loans if you have bad credit. They offer bad-credit loans and generally have more flexible eligibility criteria than a traditional brick-and-mortar bank. However, online lenders typically charge high APRs and origination fees for bad-credit debt consolidation loans.

Three best bad-credit lenders for debt consolidation

Lender Best for Est. APR Loan amount Loan term Min. credit score
Avant Consolidating a small amount of debt 9.95% to 35.99% $2,000 to $35,000 1-5 years 550
Best Egg Direct to creditor funding option 8.99% to 35.99% $2,000 to $50,000 3-5 years 600
Upstart Consumers with little credit history 4.60% to 35.99% $1,000 to $50,000 3 or 5 years No requirement
Avant

Avant

Rating: 4.7 stars out of 5
4.7
  • Green circle with a checkmark inside

    Pros

    • Quick funding
    • Mobile app
    • No prepayment fee
    Red circle with an X inside

    Cons

    • High maximum rates
    • Administration fees
    • Lower maximum loan amount
Best Egg

Best Egg

Rating: 4.6 stars out of 5
4.6
  • Green circle with a checkmark inside

    Pros

    • Direct payment to creditors
    • Option to prequalify
    • No prepayment penalty
    Red circle with an X inside

    Cons

    • Origination fees
    • High maximum rates
    • No autopay discounts
Upstart

Upstart

Rating: 4.8 stars out of 5
4.8
  • Green circle with a checkmark inside

    Pros

    • Considers nontraditional factors
    • Low minimum credit score requirement
    • Fast funding
    Red circle with an X inside

    Cons

    • Possible origination fees
    • Late fees
    • Limited repayment terms

How to qualify for a debt consolidation loan

Every lender sets its requirements for borrowers looking for debt consolidation loans. That said, these are some of the most common requirements you’ll need to meet to get approved for the loan:

  • Be a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident.
  • Be at least 18 years old.
  • Not be involved in a bankruptcy or foreclosure proceeding.
  • Have a debt-to-income (DTI) ratio below 45 percent.
  • Have a credit score in the mid-600s.

Although some lenders may still approve you for a loan even if your credit score is below that threshold and your DTI is on the higher side, you’ll probably end up paying more in interest and fees. If that happens, it may not be worth it for you to apply for a debt consolidation loan, as you won’t be able to save money.

Credit Good
What credit score do you need for a consolidation loan?

Each lender carries its own requirements but credit score minimums tend to fall in the mid-600s.

Alternatives to a debt consolidation loan

If you can’t qualify for a debt consolidation loan with a lower interest rate than you’re currently paying, you might want to consider some of these alternatives instead.

  • Do-it-yourself approach. Altering your financial plan without third-party help takes dedication and time, but it is possible. Options include overhauling your budget, renegotiating your debt and asking for an adjusted due date.
  • Debt management plan. A debt management plan (DMP) is a type of debt consolidation. You make monthly payments to a credit counseling agency to cover multiple monthly costs, and the agency negotiates with your creditors. Most plans take three to five years to complete.
  • Home equity. If you own a home with significant equity, you may be able to take out a loan, line of credit or refinance to consolidate your debt. Before taking out a home equity loan, consider the fact that your house is at risk if you default on payments.
  • Credit counseling. A credit counseling agency can help by acting as a middleman between you and your creditors. A credit counselor can help you understand your credit report and suggest steps for improving your credit score and achieving financial stability.
  • Debt settlement. Debt settlement companies work with you to settle your debt for less than what you owe for a fee. The caveat is that you typically need to pay enough into an account with the debt settlement company before it will begin negotiations with your creditors — often at the expense of forcing you to default.
  • Bankruptcy. If you’re experiencing financial hardship and even debt settlement doesn’t sound possible, bankruptcy may be your only option. Depending on the type of bankruptcy you file, you may need to place your assets under control of a bankruptcy court and agree to give up most or all of your wealth.

Watch out for predatory lenders

Predatory loans are those that benefit the lender at the borrower’s expense. Predatory lenders are rather common in the bad credit space, as these companies take advantage of borrowers’ limited ability to secure a loan through the conventional route to push risky credit products on them. The warning signs include:

  • Triple-digit interest rates and equally exorbitant fees.
  • Pressure to act quickly.
  • The lender asks you to lie on your application.
  • The fees or terms suddenly change at closing.

Accepting such a loan can be extremely expensive and may cause you to go deeper into debt. Plus, using a predatory lender defeats the purpose of a debt consolidation loan, which is to make it easier for you to get out of debt, as you’ll have a harder time keeping up with the higher payments.