finder.com

Finder is committed to editorial independence. While we receive compensation when you click links to partners, they do not influence our content.

Compare personal loans for single parents

Know the options available to you when it comes to getting a personal loan as a single mom or dad.

Avatar
Kyle Morgan
Updated
Fact checked

When you’re a single parent, it can be difficult to juggle everything life throws at you. Borrowing a loan may be just one more thing to take care of, but there are plenty of options out there for single-income households. By learning how to compare your loan options and knowing what you to do to increase your chances, you can get the financing you need to tackle life as a single parent.

Why would a single parent not be approved for a personal loan?

Single parents are judged by the same lending guidelines as every other borrower, but the fact that they rely on a single income and are often solely responsible for their debts means that they often don’t meet the requirements set out by lenders. And if you’re receiving government benefits or working part-time hours, it may be considered as an insufficient source of income, even if you make enough to cover the cost of the loan.

Can a lender consider my marital status when evaluating my application?

No, it’s illegal. Thanks to the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, a lender can’t deny or approve your application solely based on your martial status.

With that being said, if you’re divorced, you’re likely still liable for any debt accumulated as a married couple. Unfortunately, even if it was your partner who built most of the debt, as a cosigner you are bound to the agreement. This means that a lender may reject you for a personal loan because you have too high of a debt-to-income ratio, even if you aren’t benefiting from the loan in any way.

What income do I need to get a loan?

Personal loans range in amounts from $2,000 to $50,000, with a few lenders offering smaller and larger loans. They’re typically repaid in three to seven years and are best for those with good credit scores of 670 and above.

Personal loan

No minimum, credit requirements apply

Unsecured personal loan

No minimum, must have proof of taxable income

Personal loan

No minimum, must have steady employment and good to excellent credit

Unsecured personal loan

$25,000 annually

Unsecured personal loan

No minimum, must have a low debt-to-income ratio to be considered

Personal loan

No minimum, must have a debt-to-income ratio under 40%

Unsecured personal loan

No minimum

Auto loans

No minimum, income is one of many factors for approval

Express personal Loan

No minimum, one of many factors that determines the approved loan amount (other factors include credit score and debt to income ratio)

Auto loan, mortgage loan

No minimum, must have debt-to-income ratio under 43%

Personal Loan

$10,500 annually

Unsecured and secured personal loans

Income is a factor in the approved loan amount, must have a debt to income ratio of under 49%

Personal loans, unsecured lines of credit

No minimum, one of several factors considered in approval of loan amount

Personal loan

N/A

Personal loan

No minimum

Short-term loans are small-dollar credit products designed to be repaid within a few weeks to months. They’re typically offered in amounts from $250 to $1,000, with some online installment loans going up to as much as $5,000.

Payday loan

No minimum

Payday loan, installment loan

No minimum, must be employed for at least one month

Payday loan

No minimum

Payday Loan, installment loan, title loan

No minimum, requires a steady source of recurring income payments

Installment loan

No minimum, must provide a verifiable source of income

Short term loan

$800 per month

Payday loans, installment loan

No minimum, income is one of many factors considered for approval

Installment loan

$800 per month

Payday loan

N/A

Installment loan

No minimum, income is one of many factors (such as pay schedule, method of payment)

Installment loan

Varies by state

How do I compare my options?

While you may feel you have limited options, it’s still important to compare the products you find to ensure you get the best option for you and your kids.

  • Interest rate. Unless you have impeccable credit, check out the full range of interest rates charged by your lender. By seeing the maximum amount you might be charged, you can better compare your options.
  • Fees. Interest rate doesn’t always tell the full story. Loans can come with both one-time and ongoing fees, so compare these because they will contribute to the cost of your loan.
  • Restrictions. You may be restricted as to how much you can borrow, what you can use the money for, whether you’re able to make extra repayments or if you can repay the loan early.
  • Repayment flexibility. This is an important consideration, as it could affect your ability to manage the loan. See if you’re able to make weekly, biweekly or monthly repayments.
  • Lender. The actual lender you’re borrowing from should factor into your decision, as this is a business you’ll have to deal with for the next few months or years. See how easy the lender is to contact and how good the customer service is.

How do I improve my chances of being approved?

  • Check your credit score. You can check your credit score for free to find out what kind of borrowing position you’re in. The higher your score, the less of a risk you appear to the lender.
  • Get informed. You can read our articles on how to avoid personal loan rejection and common denial reasons to get more information on what lenders look for.
  • Consider alternatives. Taking out a loan might not be the best option for you right now, and you may have alternatives depending on your situation. You might be able to make extra cash with a side gig or get an interest-free loan from a friend.
  • Borrow a lower amount. A good rule of thumb is to only apply for as much as you need and can afford. Lenders may reject your loan application rather than offering you a lower amount if you apply for too much

How do I know if I can afford to repay a loan?

Before applying for any loan, you should calculate how much your loan will cost and what your repayments might be. See what you might pay at the highest interest rate, and check to see if your lender offers preapproval so you can get an estimate on how much your loan might cost. In addition, each lender is required to assess your borrowing power and ability to repay before extending an offer.

How do I apply?

You can first compare your options using tables above. Once you’ve found a loan that you want to apply for, click Go to site to be directed to the lender’s site or click the lender’s name to read a review of its loan products.

When you apply on the lender’s site, you’ll provide your contact information, financial information and the amount you’d like to borrow. Some lenders will let you know right away if you’ve been preapproved and ask for verification of a few pieces of information before extending an offer. Other lenders may take a few days to respond with an approval or denial notification.

Bottom line

As a single parent, you may find your budget is pretty tight. A personal loan can help make a large expense more affordable, but depending on your income, you may struggle to meet a lender’s minimum eligibility criteria. However, that doesn’t mean you’re out of luck. By comparing your options and reading up on personal loans, you may be able to find a deal that doesn’t break the bank or put too much strain on your family’s budget.

Frequently asked questions

More guides on Finder

Ask an Expert

You are about to post a question on finder.com:

  • Do not enter personal information (eg. surname, phone number, bank details) as your question will be made public
  • finder.com is a financial comparison and information service, not a bank or product provider
  • We cannot provide you with personal advice or recommendations
  • Your answer might already be waiting – check previous questions below to see if yours has already been asked

Finder.com provides guides and information on a range of products and services. Because our content is not financial advice, we suggest talking with a professional before you make any decision.

By submitting your comment or question, you agree to our Privacy and Cookies Policy and finder.com Terms of Use.

Questions and responses on finder.com are not provided, paid for or otherwise endorsed by any bank or brand. These banks and brands are not responsible for ensuring that comments are answered or accurate.
Go to site