How to Apply for a Debt Consolidation Loan in 2023

Getting a debt consolidation loan might be easier than you think. Even if you have bad credit (i.e., a credit score under 600), it’s possible to get the debt consolidation loan that you need. I’ve gone through the process of applying for a debt consolidation loan myself, so I know the nuances well!

Here are the main steps of applying for a debt consolidation loan.

5 Steps to Apply For a Debt Consolidation Loan

1. Figure Out Your Credit Score (And Raise It If Possible!)

The first thing you need to do before looking into debt consolidation is to get an idea of what your credit score is. Many banks and most major credit card companies offer free credit score monitoring and can tell you your FICO Score in minutes – which typically is the score that lenders will look at when they’re reviewing your loan application.

Ideally, you want your credit score to be above the 600-650 range or you might get turned down for the loan. If your credit score is lower than that, try to wait a few months before applying for the loan and work on getting your score up. You’ll find some tips on how you can quickly improve your credit score below.

2. Determine How Much Debt You’re Looking To Consolidate

This next step is pretty simple, but it’s vital to make sure your consolidation loan is able to cover the outstanding debt that you’re hoping it will. Take some time and line up all the debt that you’re looking to consolidate with this loan. (Student loan debt consolidation is also a thing, but that would typically be a separate process depending on how much debt you have.)

Your debt can include credit cards, payday loans, cash advances, personal loans, and more. Also note the interest rates and your minimum monthly payments so that you can make sure the loan you’re getting has better terms.

3. Choose a Lender

Once you know how much debt you are hoping to consolidate, it’s time to start shopping around so that you can find the best terms possible. In most cases, you shouldn’t just take the first deal that you can find. If you compare different lenders, one of them might be able to offer better terms to entice you to make a deal with them over another company.

There are three main components to keep in mind when searching for the best loan terms:

• The length of the loan
• The minimum monthly payment
• The interest rate

You want to make sure that you can afford the monthly payment so you don’t struggle to pay it back. Most importantly, the interest rate will be the biggest factor in how much you have to pay back in total – so the lower, the better.

Be sure to consider the four lenders that I go over in the next section, as they’re some of the best options that you’ll find.

4. Apply for a Loan and Close the Deal

After you’ve checked out what a few different lenders have to offer, it’s time to apply for a loan and see if you qualify. An online application only takes minutes. Just be sure to have scanned versions of the required documents ready to go:

• Proof of identification (driver’s license, other government-issued ID)
• Income verification (last couple of pay stubs or a bank statement)
• Debts you want consolidated (most recent statements)
• Proof of address (utility bill, credit card statement, lease agreement, etc.)

The application process itself is pretty straightforward – all you’ll have to do is fill out some forms. Make sure you pay attention to the terms and the fine print which outlines how much you have to pay, the interest rate, any fees, and anything else pertinent to the loan.

Once you submit your application, you can expect to hear back about your approval within 2 to 3 business days. Following approval of the loan, lenders will usually get the funds transferred to your bank account within 7 business days.

5. What to Do If Bad Credit Is Preventing You From Finding a Loan

If you’ve checked various lenders but you still can’t get a debt consolidation loan because of your credit score, you aren’t out of luck just yet. At this point, there are basically three options – look for a secured loan, have a cosigner, or work on raising your credit score.

• Secured Loan – Most loans that you can get are unsecured, meaning you don’t have to put up any collateral to get the funds. If your credit score is preventing you from signing a deal, however, you might want to consider putting up some sort of collateral (such as your home or car) and taking out a secured loan.
• Get Someone to Cosign – If you know someone with good credit who’s willing to cosign on your loan, their credit score might help you seal the deal. In this case, they’ll typically become liable for the loan if you default. So it will likely need to be someone that trusts you completely.
  
• Raise Your Credit Score – If your credit score is too low to get a loan, the best thing you can do is focus on improving it. Continue paying down your debt aggressively and make sure not to miss any payments. Your score will go up quicker than you might think!

The Bottom Line

Debt consolidation loans can help lower your monthly payments and make your life much simpler by having just one bill at the end of the month to cover everything. The application process for the loan is quick and easy, but much of it hinges on your credit score.

With good credit, qualifying for a debt consolidation loan is easy and won’t take you long at all. If you use one of the four lenders above, you should get some of the best terms you’ll find anywhere and be on your way to being debt-free in no time!