Best Low-Income Loans in Tennessee: Top Lenders and Rates for 2024
Updated: December 28, 2023
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- Best Overall Low-Income Loan Lender in Tennessee
- Runner-Up for Best Overall Low-Income Loan Lender in Tennessee
- Best Low-Income Loan Lender for Bad Credit in Tennessee
- Best Low-Income Loan Lender for Good Credit in Tennessee
- How to Choose the Right Personal Loan for You
- What to Do if You Can’t Get a Low-Income Loan in Tennessee
- Calculate Your Monthly Payment
- Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Loans in Tennessee
Best Low-Income Loan Lenders in Tennessee
MoneyGeek ranked the best low-income loans in Tennessee using more than 30 data points to identify the best lenders. We considered factors such as the lender’s minimum requirements, APR ranges, loan limits, customer service track record and more to identify the best lenders. Our analysis also factored in different borrower profiles to help you find the best low-income loans for your background.
For most borrowers in Tennessee, Upgrade emerged as the best lender overall. However, for borrowers with bad credit, Upstart is the best option, while Prosper has the best low-income loans in Tennessee for those with good credit.
Best Overall Low-Income Loan in Tennessee: Upgrade
Runner-Up for Best Low-Income Loan in Tennessee: LendingClub
Best Low-Income Loan for Bad Credit in Tennessee: Upstart
Best Low-Income Loan for Good Credit in Tennessee: Prosper
How to Choose the Best Low-Income Loan in Tennessee for You
In Tennessee, people owe an average of $25,174 in personal loans, so you are certainly not alone in seeking one. However, individual factors like your credit score and debt-to-income ratio are considered by lenders when determining your loan limit, APR ranges and other terms.
Personal loans can be a convenient source of funding when you have emergency expenses. If you are not sure how to find the best lender for your needs, the following steps can help.
Ask Yourself the Important Questions
Start by asking yourself important questions, including:
- How much funding do you need? Knowing how much you need will guide you in choosing a suitable lender.
- What is your credit score? You need to know your credit score to figure out how much you qualify to borrow and which lenders would approve you.
- Can you afford the monthly payment? It is important to ensure that you can afford to make the monthly payments to avoid taking on more debt than you can handle.
- How much debt do you already have? Consider your existing debt and figure out how taking a loan will impact your debt-to-income ratio. Some lenders will only approve you if your debt-to-income ratio is below a certain percentage.
- Is your debt manageable through other means? Consider whether there are other financing options available to you.
Do Your Research
If you are looking for low-income loans in Tennessee, MoneyGeek’s recommendations are a great place to start. However, since borrower profiles can vary widely, it is always important to do your own research.
Take time to compare and understand what different lenders offer in terms of APRs, loan limits, terms and customer service. This will help you identify the best option for your background and needs.
Wait
It's always a good idea to take a day to think it over before applying for a loan. Waiting gives you time to consider all your options and ensure that you are ready for the financial commitment that comes with a personal loan. You may also want to compare different financing options during this waiting period to see which one makes the most sense for your financial situation.
Read the Fine Print
It is easy to miss important details when signing up for a loan if you do not read the fine print. Make sure that you have read through all the terms and understood how they impact your loan.
Make a note of other charges like prepayment fees, late fees and other applicable charges. This will ensure you do not incur any hidden charges down the line. Seek clarification from the lender for fees or terms that you do not understand.
Apply
If you are confident about your choice of lender, you can proceed to submit your application. Most lenders have a quick online application process, but you will be required to provide documents for personal identification and verification of financial history.
You can always contact the lender via phone or visit in person if you need more details or clarification on the application procedure.
What to Do if You Can’t Get a Low-Income Loan in Tennessee
It is not unusual for lenders to decline low-income loan applications. If this happens to you, do not despair. Most of the reasons that may cause your application to be declined can be improved over time to make you eligible for a loan in the future.
If your application has been declined, make a point to find out the exact reason why from the lender. This will guide you on what aspects you need to improve to ensure that future loan applications are successful.
You may find that you qualify for a loan with a different lender since minimum requirements can vary. However, it is best to avoid re-applying immediately until you have improved on the factors that caused you to be declined. Applying multiple times can impact your credit score negatively.
Avoid taking payday loans as an alternative since they come with high interest charges and unfavorable repayment terms.
Calculate Your Monthly Payment
Signing up for a loan means that you are committing to make monthly payments for an extended period. Therefore, it is important to first ensure that you can afford the monthly payments, even if the loan is pre-approved by the lender. You can use MoneyGeek’s personal loan calculator to estimate your monthly payments.
FAQs About Low-Income Loans in Tennessee
The best low-income loans in Tennessee for you will largely depend on your needs and financial profile. MoneyGeek answered frequently asked questions to help you learn more about low-income loans.
Upgrade is the best low-income loan lender for most borrowers in Tennessee. However, Upstart is the best option if you have bad credit, while Prosper offers the best loans for borrowers with good credit.
Upstart has the lowest interest rates for low-income borrowers in Tennessee. However, only borrowers with excellent credit qualify for the lowest APRs.
In Tennessee, low-income loans typically cannot be used for investments, gambling or college education expenses. However, each lender has their own policy on fund usage, so check with your preferred lender.
You can usually consolidate debt of up to $50,000 in Tennessee, depending on the lender and your financial profile.
Many lenders are able to fund low-income loans in Tennessee by the next business day. That said, disbursement times may vary depending on the lender and the borrower’s profile.
Yes, in Tennessee, most lenders will allow you to pay off your loan early without incurring any early payment penalties. However, this can vary depending on the lender, so check with your preferred provider.
Methodology
MoneyGeek used a comprehensive analysis to rank the best low-income loans in Tennessee. We analyzed more than 30 personal loan lenders based on 35 individual data points. Our analysis focused on six key categories, including loan affordability, accessibility, consumer friendliness, customer service, flexibility and lender transparency.
To identify the best lenders, we considered several individual data points that we feel carry the most weight when choosing a personal loan lender, such as APR ranges, loan limits, minimum requirements and funding time.
MoneyGeek values you, the consumer, so our analysis also factors in the lender’s customer support, business ratings and additional features that impact the user experience, like prequalification, payment options and mobile apps.
We make our top recommendations with your best interests in mind after careful consideration. Our goal is to help you make sound financial decisions when choosing the best lender for your situation and unique needs.
sources
- LendingClub. "Personal Loans." Accessed October 27, 2022.
- Prosper. "Personal Loan FAQs." Accessed October 27, 2022.
- Upgrade. "Personal Loans up to $50,000." Accessed October 27, 2022.
- Upstart. "What Fees Am I Charged?." Accessed October 27, 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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