Can you get a loan with bad credit?
Updated November 7, 2026
You can often get a loan with bad credit, or at least ask for one, but nobody honest can promise an offer before seeing your details. Each lender sets its own rules, and the amount or the price may differ from what you hoped for. OppLending is not a lender. We pass one request to lenders in our network, and each of them decides for itself.
This guide covers what a low score does and does not stop, what lenders tend to check, the options worth trying first, and the signs of a scam aimed at people in this exact spot.
What counts as bad credit?
There is no single official line. The CFPB says most credit scores range from 300 to 850, and that you do not have just one score, because a score can differ with the model, the data behind it and even the day it was worked out (CFPB, read November 7, 2026). So a lender might see a different number from the one in your banking app, and two lenders can treat the same number differently.
Our guide on what credit score you need for a loan goes through this in more detail.
What do lenders look at besides the score?
Rules vary, and a lender does not have to tell you its full formula. Things that commonly come up when you apply include:
- Income. Whether money comes in regularly, and from where.
- Bank account. Where funds would go and how repayments would be taken.
- Your state. Some lenders do not lend in some states, and state law can limit what they may charge.
- Your credit reports. These can include specialty bureaus as well as the three major ones.
- The amount. A smaller request may be easier for a lender to say yes to than a larger one, though that is not a rule.
Which options should you try first?
A loan is not always the cheapest way through a short week. Before you borrow, it is worth a look at each of these:
| Option | Good when | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Ask the biller for more time | The bill is the problem, and the biller offers a plan | Late fees, and getting the new date in writing |
| Credit union loan | You can join a credit union and can wait for its process | Membership rules, and a lower limit on the amount |
| Family or a friend | Someone can help and you can repay on time | Strain on the relationship if plans change |
| Online lender | You need an answer soon and the others did not work | Rates can be high. Read the total to repay |
If you are weighing the second and fourth rows, our comparison of bad credit loans and credit union loans sets them side by side.
How much does a low score raise the cost?
There is no standard answer, because each lender prices its own loans and state law sets different limits. What you can do is compare offers in dollars. Look for the amount you would receive, the total you would repay, and each payment date. The APR helps you compare offers of different lengths. As one reference point, the CFPB says a charge of 15 dollars per 100 borrowed is common on a payday loan, and that this works out to almost 400 percent APR over two weeks (CFPB, read November 7, 2026). Other loan types are priced differently.
How do you spot a scam?
People with low scores are a known target. The FTC warns that scam ads promise credit no matter your history, and says legitimate lenders will not promise you a loan or other credit without knowing your credit history. It also says any up front fee a lender wants to collect before granting the loan is a cue to walk away (FTC, read November 7, 2026).
So stop if someone:
- Promises you a loan before they have looked at your details.
- Asks you to pay a fee first, especially by gift card or wire transfer.
- Pushes you to decide right now.
- Will not tell you the fees until after you apply.
Sending a request through OppLending is free, and we never charge you to send one.
What should you have ready before you ask?
A request goes faster with these to hand: your contact details, your income and next pay date, and your bank details. Answer exactly, because lenders may verify what you enter. If an offer arrives, read it slowly. You can say no at no cost.
Questions people also ask
Will asking hurt my score?
Checking your options won't affect your credit score. If you go ahead with a lender, that lender may make a credit check. See whether bad credit loans hurt your score.
Is a promise of a loan a warning sign?
Yes. The FTC says legitimate lenders will not promise you a loan or other credit without knowing your credit history. A promise made before anyone has looked at your details is a reason to stop.
Should I pay a fee to get a loan offer?
Be very careful. The FTC says any up front fee a lender wants to collect before granting the loan is a cue to walk away. Real lenders can charge an application fee, but they disclose it before you apply.