One of the benefits that make personal loans so desirable among borrowers is that it takes very little effort to apply for one. Once you have filled out your application, you will typically receive a decision in a matter of hours or days.
This makes personal loans especially useful in situations where you need the money quickly due to an emergency. Since personal loans usually have a lower interest rate than credit cards, the quick turnaround time makes them a great alternative, depending on your situation.
The process to apply for a personal loan is simple. You just have to complete these 3 steps:
- Fill out a personal loans online form. You can apply to multiple lenders at once to compare terms or just apply through one specific lender if you know who you want to borrow from.
- Check what terms you prequalify for. Before you get a loan, check out the kind of interest rates, fees and total amounts you qualify for. You may qualify for very low interest personal loans that are easy to pay back.
- Apply for a loan that meets your specific needs. Once you’ve settled on the right deal, send your application in for quick approval.
By following these steps, you could get loan approval today and get the cash you need within the week. So if you are sure that you need the loan, it is best not to wait too long to submit your application. Checking out your options early will mean having more time to make a decision.
When applying for a personal loan (or almost any type of loan, for that matter), it is usually a good idea to compare terms from different lenders.
Even if you have a great to excellent credit score, you may get quite different terms depending on the lender you go with. Additionally, make sure that the rate on your loan will be fixed to avoid any surprises in the future.
When you are choosing a term for your loan, keep in mind that a shorter time period means a higher monthly payment. At the same time, a longer term means that you end up paying more overall even though your monthly payments will be lower.
The key when choosing a personal loan term is to review your budget and opt for the shortest term you think you can reasonably handle.