Best Low-Income Loans in New Jersey: Top Lenders and Rates for 2024
Updated: December 28, 2023
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- Best Overall Low-Income Loan Lender in New Jersey
- Runner-Up for Best Overall Low-Income Loan Lender in New Jersey
- Best Low-Income Loan Lender for Bad Credit in New Jersey
- Best Low-Income Loan Lender for Good Credit in New Jersey
- How to Choose the Right Personal Loan for You
- What to Do if You Can’t Get a Low-Income Loan in New Jersey
- Calculate Your Monthly Payment
- Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Loans in New Jersey
Best Low-Income Loan Lenders in New Jersey
To find the best low-income loan lenders in New Jersey, MoneyGeek reviewed over 30 providers for key data points. These included but weren’t limited to loan amounts, interest rates, repayment terms, minimum eligibility requirements and customer service ratings from the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
Based on our assessment, Upgrade offers the best low-income loan in New Jersey, followed by LendingClub. If you have a bad credit score, Upstart is your best choice, while those with good credit should consider Prosper.
Best Overall Low-Income Loan in New Jersey: Upgrade
Runner-Up for Best Low-Income Loan in New Jersey: LendingClub
Best Low-Income Loan for Bad Credit in New Jersey: Upstart
Best Low-Income Loan for Good Credit in New Jersey: Prosper
How to Choose the Best Low-Income Loan in New Jersey for You
With an average personal loan debt of $17,798, it’s evident that residents in New Jersey aren’t hesitant to borrow funds for their financing needs. While it may be common to take out a personal loan, it may not be the best decision for your financial goals.
MoneyGeek recommends taking the following steps to make the best decision about your low-income loan in New Jersey:
Ask Yourself the Important Questions
It's tempting to take out a personal loan to cover an unexpected expense, but first, you should ask yourself if you can afford to repay it. Before taking out a personal loan, reflect on the following questions:
- How much funding do you need? Taking out only the amount of money you need can help you avoid paying more in interest. Because loan amounts differ among lenders, knowing how much money you need will also help you narrow down your lender choices.
- What’s your credit score? Your credit score will impact your loan eligibility and the rates available to you. Those with higher credit scores typically receive lower interest rates. If you aren’t in a rush to get a loan, consider improving your credit score first.
- Can you afford the monthly payments? Ensure that you can make the payment amount you select. Missing payments could negatively impact your credit score.
- Do you have existing debts? Those with existing debt may want to reconsider taking on more. You may be able to receive a better rate on your low-income loan by repaying your existing debts first.
- Is your debt manageable through other means? If possible, an interest-free solution — like borrowing from family or using a 0% APR credit card — is the best route to obtain funding.
Do Your Research
Finding the best lender for you may require some research, but putting in a little time upfront can save you money down the road. Compare lenders for their eligibility requirements, terms, rates and fees to find the best option for you. Look through MoneyGeek's suggestions as a reference point, but keep in mind that there may be better options for your needs.
Wait
Hold off applying with your chosen lender for a few days. During this time, you can consider your lending options. A low-income loan is a long term commitment that can take between two and four years to repay, so it’s important that you’re confident in your choice of lender.
Read the Fine Print
It’s important to read the fine print of your loan agreement to account for any fees, like those for loan origination, early repayment and late payments, in your budget. If you have any questions about the terms of your loan, you should contact your lender for clarification.
Apply
After you’ve completed the steps above, you can complete your application for a low-income loan in New Jersey. To save time, gather any required documents in advance. Lenders typically require borrowers to provide proof of identification, employment, income and address during the application process. Depending on your lender, you may be able to apply in person or over the phone, while others are online-only lenders.
What to Do if You Can’t Get a Low-Income Loan in New Jersey
Even if you’ve submitted all the appropriate documentation, you may still be rejected for a low-income loan. If your loan application is denied, you should contact your lender to find out why. Sometimes, simply modifying the terms of your loan, like the repayment period or loan amount, can lead to its approval.
If your application is rejected due to a low credit score, this will take some time to improve. We recommend increasing your credit score before reapplying for a loan to avoid dips in your score from hard credit checks.
Those who are rejected for a low-income loan may consider payday loans for their funding needs. These “loans” feature high interest rates and short repayment terms that typically end up costing borrowers more money in the long term. As such, MoneyGeek recommends avoiding these at all costs.
Calculate Your Monthly Payment
Before applying for a loan, it’s important to know that you can make your monthly payment. MoneyGeek’s personal loan calculator can help you estimate your monthly payment amount and budget accordingly. You may be charged for making a late payment on your loan, so it’s essential that you make payments on time.
FAQs About Low-Income Loans in New Jersey
The best low income lender in New Jersey for you will vary based on your unique needs. MoneyGeek answered the most commonly asked questions about low-income loans to help you make a well-informed decision.
Upgrade offers the best low-income loan in New Jersey. However, the best for you may vary based on your borrower profile. For instance, Upstart offers the best personal loans for those with bad credit, while Prosper is the best for good credit borrowers.
Upstart has the lowest starting APR. However, only those with excellent credit scores will receive it on their low-income loan in New Jersey.
Some lenders restrict the use of funds for postsecondary education, criminal activities or investments.
For borrowers who satisfy their requirements, a large number of New Jersey lenders provide loans of up to $50,000 for debt consolidation.
It can take between one day and one week to receive the funds from your low-income loan in New Jersey. To get an idea of when you should expect to receive your funds, contact your chosen lender for more information.
Yes, but some lenders charge fees for loan prepayment.
Methodology
MoneyGeek analyzed over 30 personal loan providers for more than 35 key data points across six categories: cost, convenience, consumer friendliness, customer service, adaptability and transparency.
Of the 35 key data points that we evaluated, we highlighted a few that we felt had the most impact on a borrower’s lender choice. These included lenders’ interest rate tiers, loan amounts, credit score and income requirements, application fees and funding times.
Since you, the consumer, are our top priority, we also looked at features that impact the overall user experience, including lenders’ customer service and business ratings, as well as the availability of convenient features and tools, like prequalification, payment methods and mobile applications.
Our recommendations and suggestions were made with your best interests in mind. At MoneyGeek, we strive to provide consumers with the knowledge and information to make well-informed financial decisions.
sources
- LendingClub. "Personal Loans." Accessed October 25, 2022.
- Prosper. "Homepage." Accessed October 25, 2022.
- Upgrade. "Personal Loans." Accessed October 25, 2022.
- Upstart. "Loan Fees." Accessed October 25, 2022.
- Upstart. "Personal Loans." Accessed October 25, 2022.
The content on this page is accurate as of the posting/last updated date; however, some of the rates mentioned may have changed. We recommend visiting the lender's website for the most up-to-date information available.
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses and recommendations are the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any bank, lender or other entity. Learn more about
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