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Best Debt Consolidation Loans in Massachusetts of 2024

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Updated: December 28, 2023

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WHAT WE’RE GEEKING OUT ON

Best Debt Consolidation Loan Lenders in Massachusetts

MoneyGeek made an in-depth analysis of each debt consolidation loan lender by looking into over 30 data points to determine the best debt consolidation loan lenders in Massachusetts. This includes interest rates, payback periods, credit score requirements, loan amount ranges, BBB ratings and more.

When it comes to choosing the best loan lender for debt consolidation, you will have to look not only into the offerings and approaches of different providers but also into your financial status and goals. Our overall top pick as the best debt consolidation loan lender in the state is Upgrade. LightStream is a good alternative in general and SoFi and Upstart are great choices for individuals with strong and weak credit, respectively.

Best Overall Debt Consolidation Loan in Massachusetts: Upgrade


  • Upgrade
    • 5.94% to 35.47%APR Range
    • 560Minimum Credit Score
    • $1,000 to $50,000Loan Amount Range
    • 36 to 60 monthsRepayment Terms
    • Same DayTime to Receive Funds

    With a modest loan amount of up to $50,000, flexible repayment terms, relatively low APR and direct payment to debtors, Upgrade is the top choice for debt consolidation loans in Massachusetts. It’s also an A+ company according to the Better Business Bureau’s rating. Upgrade lets you choose the payment terms (single monthly payment or fixed rate and term) that are suitable for your financial situation. It also only requires a credit score of 560 to apply.

    The main downside of choosing Upgrade for debt consolidation include potentially high interest rates, origination fees and the restriction of funds on some use.

    Pros

    • Directly pay the creditor for debt consolidation
    • 1% auto payment discount
    • In-person and online application
    • A+ BBB rating

    Cons

    • Charges late and origination fees
    • $50,000 loan limit
    • APR range: 5.94%–35.47%
    • Minimum/maximum loan amount: $1,000–$50,000
    • Minimum credit requirements: 560
    • Repayment terms: 36–60 months
    • Time to receive funds: Same day
    Upgrade

Runner-Up Best Debt Consolidation Loan in Massachusetts: LightStream


  • LightStream
    • 4.49% to 20.49%APR Range
    • 660Minimum Credit Score
    • $5,000 to $100,000Loan Amount Range
    • 24 to 84 monthsRepayment Terms
    • Same DayTime to Receive Funds

    LighStream, an online personal loan provider from SunTrust Bank, is our second-best choice for the personal loans for debt consolidation in Massachusetts. It features a low interest rate that offers a discount with autopay and there are no late fees or early payment penalties. In addition, if your loan application is accepted on a banking business day, you could be able to get your cash that very same day. LightStream also earned an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

    However, individuals who have credit scores under 660 are not eligible to borrow money. Additionally, it places restrictions on how you may utilize the funds it disburses.

    Pros

    • Up to $100,000 loan limit
    • Offers joint loans
    • Same day funding disbursement
    • No prepayment penalty
    • No late fee

    Cons

    • Performs hard credit check
    • No co-signers allowed
    • APR range: 4.49%–20.49%
    • Minimum/maximum loan amount: $5,000–$100,000
    • Minimum credit requirements: 660
    • Repayment terms: 24–84 months
    • Time to receive funds: Same day
    LightStream

Best Debt Consolidation Loan for Bad Credit in Massachusetts: Upstart


  • Upstart
    • 3.22% to 35.99%APR Range
    • 300Minimum Credit Score
    • $1,000 to $50,000Loan Amount Range
    • 36 to 60 monthsRepayment Terms
    • Next DayTime to Receive Funds

    Our study shows that Upstart is a great alternative for debt consolidation loans for people whose options are constrained by a low credit score. Despite low credit requirements, Upstart has a solid BBB rating and the capacity to disburse borrowed money in as little as a day or two. Additionally, it conducts a soft credit pull before accepting the loan, meaning your credit score won't get even lower before you get approved.

    However, Upstart is only a good option for borrowers who don't need to borrow more than $50,000 and are ready to pay origination and late penalties. Furthermore, having bad credit may result in an APR of up to 35.99%.

    Pros

    • 300 credit score minimum requirement
    • A+ BBB rating
    • 15-day grace period for late fees
    • Fast loan funding
    • Conducts soft credit check

    Cons

    • $50,000 funding limit
    • Up to 35.99% APR
    • Includes an origination fee
    • APR range: 3.22%–35.99%
    • Minimum/maximum loan amount: $1,000–$50,000
    • Minimum credit requirements: 300
    • Repayment terms: 36–60 months
    • Time to receive funds: Next day
    Upstart

Best Debt Consolidation Loan for Good Credit in Massachusetts: SoFi


  • SoFi
    • 5.74% to 20.28%APR Range
    • 680Minimum Credit Score
    • $5,000 to $100,000Loan Amount Range
    • 12 to 60 monthsRepayment Terms
    • Two DaysTime to Receive Funds

    Customers can choose from a range of loans and other services offered by SoFi, including debt consolidation loan. It was chosen by MoneyGeek as the best option for Massachusetts residents with excellent credit for a number of reasons, including its A+ BBB rating. It does not impose a prepayment penalty, an origination fee or late fees.

    A moderate credit score of 680 enables same-day borrowing of up to $100,000. By establishing automated payments, you might potentially save around 0.25% on personal loan interest rates. Additionally, the bank does soft credit checks, which have no impact on your credit score. It also lets borrowers take a break from paying for their loans if they suddenly lose their jobs.

    On the other hand, borrowers who need cosigners on their loan applications, do not make at least $50,000 annually and do not have credit scores of at least 680 might not find the lender to be an option at all.

    Pros

    • $100,000 loan limit cap
    • No prepayment penalty
    • No late payment fee
    • No origination fee

    Cons

    • $50,000 minimum gross income requirement
    • 680 minimum credit score requirement
    • APR range: 5.74%–20.28%
    • Minimum/maximum loan amount: $5,000–$100,000
    • Minimum credit requirements: 680
    • Repayment terms: 12–60 months
    • Time to receive funds: Two days
    SoFi

How to Choose the Best Debt Consolidation Loan in Massachusetts

On average, Massachusetts residents owe around $5,448 in credit card debt and $14,678 in personal loans. Personal loans for debt consolidation can be a cost-effective alternative to paying multiple debt streams such as this. However, it's crucial to evaluate a number of factors when applying for a debt consolidation personal loan, like credit score, present debts, income, etc., because at the end of the day, it's a significant and long-term financial commitment.

To assist you with that, MoneyGeek created a guide that you may follow as you go forward with your goal of securing the best possible terms on your debt consolidation loan.

1
Ask Yourself the Important Questions

You might be able to make wiser financial decisions by taking a step back and asking yourself these five fundamental questions.

  • How much funding do you need?
  • What’s your credit score?
  • Can you afford the monthly payments?
  • Do you have existing debts?
  • Is your debt manageable through other means?
2
Do Your Research

Don't undervalue the importance of gathering data; keep in mind that you'll be liable for payments for at least 2 to 4 years. Make a point of doing a study on subjects that will affect you long-term. For instance, you might want to stay away from lenders that do a comprehensive credit check because doing so could lower your credit score. The same holds true for lenders that impose limitations on how you can use your loan, so be sure you can actually use the funds for what you intended.

MoneyGeek's guide is packed with helpful advice and recommendations for the top lenders for a variety of situations, but our selections aren't flawless and you could find it useful to look into something we didn't cover. You might be able to identify lenders that are a good fit for your needs by doing your own research.

3
Wait

Take a deep breath once you've gathered all the information you'll require. You can assess the likelihood of getting a loan with greater objectivity if you wait a day or two. A debt consolidation loan requires a substantial outlay of cash which you'll have to endure for a very long time. You must be certain that buying one is the greatest option for you in order to do this. While you’re waiting a few days, consider reviewing the questions above and taking another look at all your possible options.

4
Read the Fine Print

Now that you've narrowed down your options, it's time to read the small print. Pay close attention to any factors that might help you save money or increase your spending. Consider expenses including origination fees, prepayment penalties and late fees once you've chosen a lender. In the long run, paying attention to these apparently insignificant details may end up saving you a lot of money. It could also cost you if you’re not careful.

5
Apply

You've covered every possible angle after going through all of these processes. Once you've decided on a lender and are aware of the application requirements, all that's left to do is submit an application for the loan. You could be asked to provide specific papers and information by the lender, like proving your identity, your source of income and your place of residence. Some lenders accept applications submitted online. In addition, while applying online could be more practical for some, going in person is still a completely legitimate option, particularly if you need to explain more specifics.

What to Do if You Can’t Get a Debt Consolidation Loan in Massachusetts

Loans are routinely declined for a number of reasons (such as poor credit, insufficient income, etc.). Contact the lender by phone or email to learn the precise reason your application was rejected and to find out how you may change it so that it is acceptable to them. This can entail raising the loan's interest rate or length of repayment.

If it's really unavoidable, you can apply for a loan with a different lender. However, it’s a good idea to refrain from doing so until you have made improvements in whatever led to your first denial. Who knows whether other loan lenders may reject you for the exact same reason in the future?

Be cautioned against taking payday loans, unless there are absolutely no other options available. This type of loan has extreme interest rates and a short repayment period which can just make your debt payment even more difficult.

Calculate Your Monthly Payment

It's crucial to keep in mind that debt consolidation loans must be repaid in interest-bearing installments, often every month. First, consider if your income can support the monthly payment, especially if the loan has already been pre-approved by the lender. Check out our debt consolidation calculator to help with rate projections.

years
months
%
Principal
+ $114.98
Interest
+ $8.33
Origination Fee Percentage
+
%
Origination Fee Fixed amount
+
Total monthly Payment
$123.31

FAQs About Debt Consolidation Loans in Massachusetts

The most suitable debt consolidation loan provider for you will be determined by your individual needs as well as other factors like credit, loan size, repayment terms and so on. To get you familiarized with the subject, here are a few of the most often asked questions.

What is the best debt consolidation loan lender in Massachusetts?
Which lender in Massachusetts has the lowest interest rates for debt consolidation?
What kind of debts can I not use my debt consolidation loan for in Massachusetts?
How much debt can I consolidate in Massachusetts?
How long does it take to get a debt consolidation loan in Massachusetts?
Can I pay off my loan early in Massachusetts?
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METHODOLOGY

MoneyGeek reviewed over 30 personal loan lenders using at least 35 individual data points across six key categories: loan affordability, accessibility, consumer friendliness, customer service, flexibility and lender transparency.

Within each ranking category, we considered several individual data points that we feel carry the most weight when choosing a personal loan lender. These factors include APR ranges, available loan amount, minimum credit score, minimum income amount, application fees and disbursement time.

Here at MoneyGeek, we value you, the consumer, so we also factor in each lender’s customer support, business ratings and additional features that could make your experience easier and more accessible — like prequalification, payment options and mobile apps.

After careful consideration and calculation, our picks are chosen with your best interests in mind. Our personal loan recommendations and expert tips are meant to help you make smart financial decisions when choosing a lender that meets your needs.

sources
Shield Insurance

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 our editorial policies and expert editorial team.

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