Financial Resources For Veterans And Active
Veterans can access a plethora of support beyond personal loans, such as specific programs, benefits, resources and financial assistance. You can search for different financial resources for veterans through the following websites:
- USA.gov. Provides information regarding military and veteran benefits like health care, housing and education. You can also find programs that help with military life, including job search help for spouses and support during deployments.
- PenFed Foundation. Here youll find a wide variety of emergency financial resources available to veterans and service members.
- Veterans Families United. Get information about veteran and military financial assistance. Programs range from financial support, career counseling, housing assistance and recreational therapy programs to assistance for the wounded, mortgage support and advocacy assistance.
Penfed Credit Union Personal Loan
Est. APR
Loan Payment Example: A $50,000 personal loan financed at 5.49% APR would amount to 60 monthly payments of approximately $954.83 each.
Min. credit score
None
Key facts
PenFeds personal loans are ideal for good-credit borrowers looking for a personal loan at a low interest rate.
Pros
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Soft credit check with pre-qualification.
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No origination or prepayment fees.
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Offers joint and secured loan options.
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Offers mobile app to manage your loan.
Cons
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Does not offer direct payment to creditors with debt consolidation loans.
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No option to choose or change your payment date.
Qualifications
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Minimum credit history: Two years.
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Debt-to-income ratio: Below 55%.
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Membership fee: $5
Disclaimer
Est. APR
This APR includes an autopay discount.
Loan amount
None
Key facts
If youre a USAA member with good credit, you could get a personal loan that can be funded in one business day.
Pros
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No origination or prepayment fee.
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Rate discount for autopay.
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Must be a USAA member.
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No option to pre-qualify.
Qualifications
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USAA does not publicly disclose many of its borrower requirements. Borrowers with good and excellent credit scores will likely qualify for the lowest rates.
Available Term Lengths
Personal Loan For Veterans With Good Credit
Borrowers with good credit will have more options because they can qualify for lower rates and better terms. Online lenders generally offer the lowest rates, but you can still check out your options from banks and credit unions. With a good credit score, you should take the time to weigh your options and get the lowest rate possible. Similar to the bad credit lenders, these companies don’t specifically cater to veterans and are available to anyone that meets their requirements.
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Review Your Credit Score
You should know your credit score. Your lender will look it up, too, but it helps for you to know beforehand, so you request the right type of loan for your situation. Under federal law, every consumer has the right to request one free credit report each year from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
If your credit score is low, there are things you may be able to do to rebuild or improve the score, and sometimes it can be as simple as sending letters to ask for previous debts to be removed from records. Building credit can go a long way to helping you to secure a bigger loan.
660 is a benchmark for some types of military lending, but as we have stated, there are specific lenders who may be willing to provide loans if you cannot meet this score.
What Will I Need To Apply

To make the application process easier, especially if its through an online lender, you should gather your documentation before starting the application. Youll need to provide your lender with your
- Personal information. Your name, date of birth, Social Security number and contact details are all commonly required for loan applications.
- Financial information. Include all sources of income and provide evidence of them. Youll also need to provide the details of your debts and liabilities.
If the eligibility criteria arent clear, get in touch with the lender before submitting your application. For example, you may have income from investments that isnt consistent, which means you might not always meet the minimum income criteria. While a lender cant guarantee approval, it can clarify certain points and provide you with additional information that will help you complete your application. And to give yourself the best chance of being approved, make sure you have all of your information on hand before applying.
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Acceptable Closing Costs On Va Loans
One of the overlooked aspects of every loan is closing costs, which often add a significant sum to the total amount being repaid. Banks and lenders dealing in VA loans are restricted by rules on how much they charge for closing costs.
There are two significant rules to consider before closing a VA loan: origination fee cost and VA funding fee.
The VA usually guarantees lenders 25% of the purchase price of a home, in case the borrower defaults. This is known as VA Loan Entitlement. In other words, if a service member or vet buys a $100,000 home and defaults, the VA will guarantee the lender $25,000 toward paying off the remaining balance of the loan.
The money to do that comes from the VA Funding Fee, which is applied to every VA loan or refinancing with rates ranging from 1.25% to as much as 3.3%, depending on the circumstances. Some of the factors determining the fee include whether there was a down payment and whether the borrower had a previous VA loan.
Regular military pay slightly lower VA Funding Fees than those in military reserves. Military members with service-connected disabilities can be exempted from the fee.
Origination fees are what lenders charge to cover the cost of processing the loan. The VA limits lenders to charging no more than 1% for origination fees. Origination fees must be paid at closing and arent part of your loan. In other words, you have to come out-of-pocket for the 1%.
Navy Federal Credit Union
Navy Federal Credit Union offers loan amounts of up to $50,000 with loan terms as long as 60 months . You can receive same-day funding, in most cases.
Membership for Navy Federal Credit Union is open to veterans, active-duty military members, Department of Defense civilian employees, and their family members. Because credit unions tend to have less-strict requirements than traditional banks, youre more likely to qualify for a loan from a credit union if you have less-than-stellar credit.
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Other Military Consolidation Plans
There are other avenues for military members to get relief that depend on the circumstances and amount of debt you owe,
If your problem is confined to credit cards, you may be qualified to refinance credit card debt with a balance transfer card. Several banks and card companies are offering 0% interest on credit cards during an introductory period of 12-18 months. Most have a transfer fee, which ranges from 3%5%, but if you pay off your balance in the introductory time period, you still come out way ahead.
Another option is to speak with a nonprofit credit counseling agency to find out if you qualify for a debt management program. You may be able to reduce your interest rates and monthly payment in a debt management program, without taking out an additional loan.
Other choices for debt consolidation or to avoid foreclosure would include:
Other Sources Of Military Debt Relief
Working your way through the Veterans Administration bureaucracy can take its toll. Still, completing the journey can be useful. Among other things, the VA offers financial advice and legal counseling.
Meanwhile, if youre a veteran battling to make ends meet after leaving your service, there are other sources. We mentioned nonprofit credit counseling. Here are a few other options:
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Active Duty Military Loans
As an active duty member of the military, you can qualify for an active duty military loan. You are eligible for an online personal loan regardless of your current credit situation. The credit risk scoring for active duty military loans is not as strict as the scoring for traditional personal loans, so apply today for the money you deserve with low rates and flexible loan terms.
Please do not try to apply for these loans if you are not currently serving in active duty. If you are serving in another capacity for the Armed Forces other than active duty, please consider applying for our other personal loan options.
Bad Credit Score Apply Away
Your credit score doesnt define your financial situation. We understand that, which is why bad credit is not a deal-breaker. Since we examine each loan application individually and in conjunction with other factors, a bad credit score is no reason to not apply. Thats what makes Omni Financial not your average lender. We go out of our way to get you the money you need. When others say no to no credit or bad credit, we love to say yes and we do it whenever we can. If youre not approved for a given loan amount, well see if we can come up with a workaround. In other words, not being approved doesnt necessarily mean youre not eligible.
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Personal Loans For Seniors With Bad Credit
While not providing loans themselves, these six companies arrange loans for bad-credit consumers from their networks of direct lenders. They all require that you have a monthly source of income, such as a salary or Social Security benefits.
As long as applicants are 18 or older, age is not a barrier to loan approval.
Varies |
See representative example |
CashAdvance.com can facilitate a short-term loan from $100 to $999. To qualify, you must be a U.S. citizen with employment income of at least $1,000 a month after taxes. This appears to rule out retirees.
Also, you must have home and work phone numbers, a valid email address, and a checking account. CashAdvance.com has been facilitating short-term loans since 1997.
Receive Your Money Quickly

It is a myth that a career-retired service members life slows down when no longer on active duty you maybe able to attest to that. In fact, life as a retired service member may be busier than ever. At Omni, we recognize your busy lifestyle and the timeliness of your needs. Your can access your funds with Omni Financial within hourst! From direct deposit to in-office pick up, Omni Financial can put money in your hands relatively quickly. Plus, once the funds are in your savings or checking account , you wont have to wait. Your funds are available for your needs immediately.
Alternatively, if you come to any one of our 18 locations youll receive an Omni Financial debit card. Use it like you would any other debit card or to get cash from one of the thousands of ATM machines around the country that accept Omni Financial debit cards.
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Military Loans * Advance Payday Loans * Personal & Va Loans * Bad Credit
Military loans, advance military loans, military payday loans and VA loans are all benefits available to our men and women in uniform. Regardless of the state of your personal finances, even if you have bad credit, there are US military loans that can help you get caught up.
Military Connection is pleased to connect you to finance institutions that want to offer you a way out of debt, even if you have bad credit. Available to you are personal military loans, military payday loans and advance military loans. In addition, VA loans and US military loans are available to you. Regardless of what state you live in, or even if you have bad credit, there are military loans or military payday loans to help you and your family.
We link you to companies that are committed to the men and women serving our country. They have US military loans and advance military loans especially designed to meet your needs. Most of these companies are able to help overseas, stateside and other active duty personnel secure military loans. VA loans are also available to retired military personnel. These loans are often made without any down payment at all, and frequently offer lower interest rates than traditional loans or regular US military loans. Even if you have bad credit, there are companies ready to help you secure a personal loan.
Types of loans for Military Personnel:
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What Is Considered Low Income For Senior Citizens
The term low income can be used as a general indication of wealth but can also have one or more technical definitions. Different government agencies may have their own guidelines for what constitutes low income.
For example, federal rules classify low-income households as those with income not more than 185% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. In 2020, the federal poverty level for an individual is $12,760, and 185% of that figure is $23,606.
Another definition of low income, used by the Department of Housing and Urban Development , is an income of less than 80% of the median area income. If your income is below 50% of the median, HUD considers you to have very low income. HUD uses these definitions for setting public housing eligibility standards.
Of course, few of us have memorized the precise guidelines for the definition of low income. Instead, we are likely to use a subjective number, such as $30,000. Whatever number we use, the general connotation is that its challenging to live on a low income.
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Applying With A Cosigner
If you have poor credit, applying with a cosigner who has good credit can help you qualify for a loan and secure better rates and terms. A cosigner is usually a family member or good friend who signs your loan application and is responsible for making payments if you default on your loan. Not all lenders allow cosigners, so if you plan to use one, check with your lender first.
Other Military Debt Relief Options
Some of the factors that create financial difficulties for military families are unavoidable. Things like frequently moving spouses having problems finding or retaining jobs and lack of financial experience make military families especially vulnerable to money problems.
Fortunately, there are a number of organizations willing to step in and provide debt relief for military families. Many of these are charities or 501 organizations and while their funds may be limited, their willingness to offer assistance is not.
Some of the organizations worth contacting include:
- American Legion
- Coast Guard Mutual Assistance
- Disabled American Veterans
Most lenders and nonprofit organizations are sympathetic to the problems that go along with being part of the U.S. military. Dont hesitate to call and talk to these groups about the best ways to dig out of debt. They respect your service and are happy to help.
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For Veterans And Military Members
Are you finding it difficult to apply for a personal loan because your lack of credit instantly disqualifies your loan request? Then check out the ‘no credit check’ loan options at VA Financial. These loans offer military members with poor or no credit history cash up to $40,000 and rates low enough for anyone to afford. Does your spouse need a loan but has little to no credit? Spouses of active and retired military personnel can also apply for these loans with competitive rates, flexible terms, and affordable payments.
- VA Mortgage Loans up to $417,000 with no down payment.
- Business loan amounts for veterans up to $350,0000 and 1-5 year terms.
- Apply for a personal loan for any purpose, up to $40,000 with fixed rates.
We respect your right to be fully informed before accepting a loan offer. The loan application process at VA Financial provides potential borrowers complete transparency by clearly listing your personalized interest rate, monthly payment, loan costs, and selected repayment period. Take advantage of these benefits and apply today. Since your credit isn’t pulled during the application, your credit score won’t be affected by applying.
Before submitting your application, you can review and adjust the loan’s total cost, interest rate, and repayment terms.
Pentagon Federal Credit Union
Pentagon Federal Credit Union is best for veterans with fair to average credit scores, which is around mid-600s or higher. The lender offers personal loans up to $50,000 with rates ranging from 17.99% to 5.49%. You can even use a co-signer to improve your chances of approval and to get a lower rate. To get a loan with PenFed, you will need to be a member of the credit union.
Drawbacks: PenFed is not a great lender for borrowers who need a big loan, as it only lends up to $50,000 and may take up to seven days to release funds. If you have good to excellent credit, you should always check to see if you can qualify for a lower interest rate elsewhere.
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How We Arrived At Our Top Personal Loan Picks For Veterans
We evaluated dozens of personal loan providers to find the best loans for different types of borrowers. Overall, the lenders that we included in our list scored well in each of the criteria below. We considered the following criteria in our review:
ValuePenguin’s Selection Criteria
Competitive APRs: In most states, the maximum APR allowed on a personal loan is 36%, which is considered the highest APR a lender can charge that a borrower can still reasonably afford. We made sure that lenders on this list fell in that range, with most offering maximum interest rates lower than 36%.
Lender credibility: We looked at each lenderâs credibility and reputation based on user and third-party reviews, Better Business Bureau ratings and the company itself.
Transparent rate and fee disclosure: A trustworthy lender will present interest rates and fees upfront to make it easy for the borrower to understand the cost of the loan before accepting.
Range of loan amounts and terms: We looked for lenders that offered a wide range of loan amounts and a variety of repayment terms.
Fair Fees: We chose lenders with reasonable origination fees, late fees and no prepayment penalty. Sometimes lenders will give you a quote for a loan but when the fees are added in, the loan costs a lot more than the initial quote.
Geographic reach: We looked for lenders that were available in multiple states, with most lenders in the list being available in at least 35 to 40 states across the U.S.