| Lender | User ratings | Best for… | APR range | Loan terms | Loan amounts | Credit score required | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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User Ratings & Reviews
Ratings and reviews are from real consumers who have used the lending partner’s services. | Joint military loans | 8.99% - 35.99% | 24 to 60 months | $5,000 - $50,000 | 620 | See Personalized Results |
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User Ratings & Reviews
Ratings and reviews are from real consumers who have used the lending partner’s services. | Military loans with excellent customer service | 7.99% - 24.99% | 36 to 84 months | $2,500 - $40,000 | 720 | See Personalized Results |
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User Ratings & Reviews
Ratings and reviews are from real consumers who have used the lending partner’s services. | Large military loans | 6.99% - 25.49% (with autopay) | 24 to 84 months | $5,000 - $100,000 | Not specified | See Personalized Results |
 | User ratings coming soon | Military loans overall | 8.99% - 18.00% | Up to 60 months | $250 - $50,000 | Not specified | See Personalized Results |
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User Ratings & Reviews
Ratings and reviews are from real consumers who have used the lending partner’s services. | Military loans with flexible repayment options | 7.99% - 17.99% | 12 to 60 months | $600 - $50,000 | 760 | See Personalized Results |
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User Ratings & Reviews
Ratings and reviews are from real consumers who have used the lending partner’s services. | Quick military loans | 8.99% - 29.99% (with discounts)* | 24 to 84 months | $5,000 - $100,000 | 680 | See Personalized Results |
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User Ratings & Reviews
Ratings and reviews are from real consumers who have used the lending partner’s services. | Bad credit military loans | 7.80% - 35.99% | 36 and 60 months | $1,000 - $50,000 | 300 | See Personalized Results |
 | User ratings coming soon | Bank military loans | 10.19% - 18.51% (with autopay) | 12 to 84 months | $1,000 - $100,000 | Not specified | See Personalized Results |
| APR range | 8.99% - 35.99% |
| Loan amounts | $5,000 - $50,000 |
| Loan terms | 24 to 60 months |
| Origination fee | 1.99% - 6.99% |
| Minimum credit score | 620 |
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Multiple APR discounts Dedicated consultant available for help Same-day loan decisions | High minimum loan amount Origination fee required Can take up to 72 hours to receive funds |
Taking out a joint loan can be a great way to boost your personal loan approval odds. Achieve not only offers joint loans, but you could earn an APR discount for adding a qualified co-borrower to your application.
Achieve’s maximum APR is higher than some of the lenders on this list, though. If you’re working to improve your credit score, you might have less expensive options elsewhere. The lender also charges a mandatory origination fee.
Read our full Achieve personal loan review.
| APR range | 7.99% - 24.99% |
| Loan amounts | $2,500 - $40,000 |
| Loan terms | 36 to 84 months |
| Origination fee | None |
| Minimum credit score | 720 |
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Three repayment assistance options No origination fee Extended customer service hours | Maximum loan size is on the smaller size $39 late payment fee No co-borrowers |
Discover has dedicated, U.S.-based loan specialists available seven days a week if you need assistance. This lender also has several repayment assistance options to get you back on track if you’re having issues with repayment.
While Discover may be willing to help, it’s essential that you contact the lender immediately if you’re facing issues. Otherwise, you could be on the hook for a $39 late payment fee. Bad-credit borrowers are typically not eligible, and you can’t add a co-borrower, either.
Read our full Discover personal loan review.
| APR range | 6.99% - 25.49% (with autopay) |
| Loan amounts | $5,000 - $100,000 |
| Loan terms | 24 to 84 months |
Origination fee| None |
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| Minimum credit score | Not specified |
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Offers loans of up to $100,000 144-month term available for home improvement loans Has a satisfaction guarantee | High minimum loan amount Not available to those with bad or fair credit No live chat |
LightStream offers personal loans online up to $100,000, and its home improvement loans come with a 144-month term option. As long as you don’t mind paying more interest over the life of your loan, this extended term can help your loan repayment better fit into your monthly budget.
What’s more, LightStream may send you $100 if you’re not satisfied with your loan experience. However, it’s important to note that while the lender doesn’t disclose its exact credit score requirements, LightStream only approves borrowers with good-to-excellent credit.
Read our full LightStream personal loan review.
| APR range | 8.99% - 18.00% |
| Loan amounts | $250 - $50,000 |
| Loan terms | Up to 60 months |
| Origination fee | None |
| Minimum credit score | Not specified |
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Small loans available Unique Career Kickoff Loan offers ultra-low APRs Extended loan terms and competitive rates | Cannot apply online Doesn’t disclose minimum credit score requirements Cannot change payment due dates |
Navy Federal Credit Union (NFCU) specializes in servicing the armed forces, helping it secure its status as the overall best lender for military personal loans. Notably, those new to the military could qualify for a Career Kickoff Loan with an APR as low as 1.25%. Further, with a $250 minimum, NFCU could be perfect for small loans, and its home improvement loan has a term up to 15 years.
One drawback for NFCU is its application process — you can’t apply without taking a hard hit to your credit score. It also doesn’t advertise its minimum credit score requirements.
Read our full Navy Federal Credit Union personal loan review.
NFCU membership is limited to active-duty and retired military, veterans and their family members. Department of Defense civilians are also eligible. After you join, you’ll need to open a membership savings account with a deposit of at least $5 to take out a loan.
NFCU doesn’t disclose its credit-related requirements. You’ll need to call the credit union or visit a branch for more information.
| APR range | 7.99% - 17.99% |
| Loan amounts | $600 - $50,000 |
| Loan terms | 12 to 60 months |
| Origination fee | None |
| Minimum credit score | 760 |
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Offers emergency furlough relief assistance Can pay biweekly if paying with a PenFed account Joint loans available | Unable to pay creditors directly $29 late payment fee Same-day funds not available |
Although Pentagon Federal Credit Union (PenFed) is open to everyone, its emergency furlough relief assistance programs could make it especially appealing for military personal loans. Whenever there is a government shutdown, military members aren’t paid. To help, PenFed Credit Union may let those who are affected skip a payment. It also offers specialized paycheck protection loans and low-interest government furlough loans.
On the other hand, PenFed can’t pay your creditors directly, so you may want to look elsewhere for a debt consolidation loan. It’s also important that you pay on time, since the lender charges a $29 late payment fee.
Read our full PenFed personal loan review.
You don’t need to be a PenFed member to apply for a personal loan. To accept your loan, you’ll need to join by opening and depositing at least $5 into a PenFed savings account. You may also want to consider opening a PenFed checking account to make your payments. If you do, you can choose to pay biweekly or monthly.
PenFed does not disclose its other personal loan eligibility requirements, but you do need to have a credit score of at least 760 for it to approve you. You can check your eligibility with no impact to your credit, since the credit union utilizes a soft credit pull.
| APR range | 8.99% - 29.99% (with discounts)* |
| Loan amounts | $5,000 - $100,000 |
| Loan terms | 24 to 84 months |
| Origination fee | 0.00% - 7.00% (optional) |
| Minimum credit score | 680 |
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Likely to get same-day funds if loan offer is signed before 7pm ET on a business day Large loans available No late payment fees | High minimum loan amount Must have at least good credit to qualify Origination fee required to unlock lowest APRs |
SoFi may be ideal for military members who need a quick loan, as long as they have good credit or better. The company boasts that 82% of its approved personal loan applicants received same-day funding from January 2022 to January 2023. Do note that this stat doesn’t apply to debt consolidation loans.
SoFi also does not charge any required fees, but you can opt in to pay an origination fee in exchange for a lower APR. Also, SoFi might not make sense if you need a small loan, since the lowest loan it offers is $5,000.
Read our full SoFi personal loan review.
| APR range | 7.80% - 35.99% with APR discounts |
| Loan amounts | $1,000 - $50,000 |
| Loan terms | 36 and 60 months |
| Origination fee | 0.00% - 12.00% |
| Minimum credit score | 300 |
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Low minimum credit score requirement Competitive minimum APR for excellent credit Flexible loan terms | May have high origination fee No physical locations and cannot apply over the phone High maximum APR |
Upstart isn’t military-specific, but this lending platform does cater to non-traditional borrowers, including those with lower credit scores. Upstart states that its AI-driven business model allows it to evaluate applicants beyond their credit scores. As such, if you need a bad-credit loan, Upstart may be worth considering.
If you have excellent credit, lenders on the Upstart platform could also offer an APR as low as 7.80%, one of the lowest around. However, borrowers could face an expensive origination fee. The company also lacks physical offices, so it may not be best for those who prefer a face-to-face experience.
Read our full Upstart personal loan review.
| APR range | 10.19% - 18.51% (with autopay) |
| Loan amounts | $1,000 - $100,000 |
| Loan terms | 12 to 84 months |
| Origination fee | None |
| Minimum credit score | Not specified |
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Offers many membership perks Insurance, banking and investing available Flexible loan amounts and terms | No same-day funds No prequalification Credit score requirements unclear |
USAA Bank could be a good choice for military-affiliated borrowers looking to keep their financial services under one roof. From insurance to banking to loans to investing, USAA offers a wide range of products to eligible military-affiliated consumers.
USAA’s personal loans come with a competitive maximum APR and flexible terms. Once you become a member (which is free), you’ll gain access to the USAA Perks program. Here, you can find savings on rental cars, car repair, theme park tickets and more.
Read our full USAA personal loan review.
You must be a USAA member before you can get a personal loan, and USAA has strict eligibility requirements. Only active-duty military members, veterans, precommissioned officers or eligible family members need apply. Veterans must also have an honorable discharge status at the time of separation.
Once you are a member, you will need to call or visit a USAA branch to apply for a personal loan. Unfortunately, USAA doesn’t have a prequalification process, nor does it disclose its personal loan eligibility requirements.
Yes. Veterans, active-duty military and their surviving spouses might qualify for a VA-backed mortgage that could come with perks not typically available to civilians. For example, VA home loans don’t require mortgage insurance, no matter your down payment amount. In fact, some VA home loans don’t require a down payment at all.
Military personal loans are the same as regular personal loans, which are open to anyone who meets a lender’s eligibility requirements. However, some lenders only service military members and veterans. Examples of these are Navy Federal Credit Union and USAA.
Regardless of your military status, the credit score needed for a personal loan varies from lender to lender. Some lenders cater to those with less-than-stellar credit while others (like SoFi) are only attainable if your score is 680 or higher.