Personal Loans For Veterans

Compare monthly payment options from several lenders in under 2 minutes.

Veteran Personal Loan Options, Rates & More

Are there specialized personal loans for veterans? Some lenders may offer personal loans specifically for veterans or disabled veterans. In some cases, personal loans for veterans with bad credit may be easier to secure compared to a non-veteran bad credit borrower. One mistake some veterans make is assuming that just because a financial institution caters to veterans, that they are offering the best personal loans for veterans. Whether you are a veteran or active duty, you should always compare personal loan offers and shop around. While loyalty is an important value taught in the military, financial institutions are not always as loyal as you think. After all, they are in the business of making money. Which, unfortunately, can cause values to fade in some cases.

Check Offers

Quick. Simple. Secure.

Pre-qualify

Fill out an easy online form to check for pre-qualified offers with no impact to your credit score

Select offer

Compare terms and payment options to select the offer that’s best for you

Finish application

Complete your application on your selected lender’s website

Receive funding

After your loan is approved, your funds should arrive within 1-2 business days²

Get Started

Check offers
in seconds

Get pre-qualified for loan offers with an easy online form

Won't impact
credit scores

Checking offers will not impact your credit score

Competitive
payment options

Funding up to $100,000 and APRs as low as 6.99%¹

Receive
funds quickly

Same-day and next-day available for certain offers²

Learn More About Personal Loans For Veterans

So who can offer the best personal loans for veterans? Keep reading to learn more.

Can veterans get a loan?

Sure, veterans can get a loan. However, it may not be as easy for a veteran to get a loan as it is for an active duty service member. As an active duty service member, you are pretty much-guaranteed income while you are under contract. Lenders know this and are often more willing to lend money to an active duty service member with bad credit than a non-active duty service member. Our military sacrifices time with their family and other freedoms, so that we can all be free and safe, each and every day. Once a military member decides to get out or retire, they become a veteran. Just because they aren’t on active duty does not mean they don’t still deserve special appreciation. Some veterans may receive retirement. While other veterans may not. If you are a veteran receiving retirement it may be easier to get a loan.

What loans are available to veterans?

Veterans can get different types of loans. While a majority of their loan options are the same as the public, there are some specialized loans for veterans. One example of a specialized loan for a veteran is a VA home loan. Active duty and veterans should qualify for a VA loan, depending on their credit score. While a non-veteran or non-military service member is usually required to have a substantial down payment to buy a home, this requirement can be waived for veterans. With a VA home loan, veterans can purchase a house with $0 down and usually a very low-interest rate. The Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) offers a partial guarantee for private lenders that extend financing to veterans in the form of VA home loans. The first step toward using a VA home loan is to find a lender that offers them and get pre-qualified. As for other types of loans such as personal loans or auto loans, you may want to visit a credit union that caters to veterans and active duty military. Navy Federal Credit Union and USAA are well-known and easily accessible financial institutions that offer perks for military members and their families.

Are personal loans available to veterans online?

Veterans can find all different types of loans and many of them are found online as well. When it comes to personal loans, veterans may want to consider a financial institution that specializes in serving military members and their family. However, non-speciality lenders may also be able to offer attractive rates and terms. In addition, some may offer perks for veterans. As a veteran you should always ask if there are military discounts or incentives available. If you are a veteran looking for a personal loan, you should check offers at Acorn Finance.

What are the best loans for veterans?

It depends on who they are as a veteran. If you are a veteran that is struggling, you should contact the VA for financial advice. If you are a veteran that is in a good financial position and just looking to get the best deal on your next loan, you should explore your options. As we mentioned earlier, it may be well worth your time to check with a financial institution that only services military members, veterans, and their families. However, don’t close yourself off to other options. If you are a veteran you may want to explore loan options with USAA. As a veteran you can become a USAA member and access their full-service bank that can offer loans. Loans can range from $2,500 to $25,000 dollars, and the loan can easily be distributed to your bank account the same day. USAA also offers insurance and other products that you may be able to get for a discounted price. Another financial institution that serves veterans is Navy Federal Credit Union. Navy Federal offers banking, loans, financial advising, and much more. Navy Federal may be able to help veterans struggling to get a loan. If you receive a personal loan offer from one of these financial institutions, you should compare it to offers you receive through Acorn Finance.

Are there any loans for veterans with bad credit?

Just like a non-veteran with bad credit, veterans may still struggle to find loans with bad credit. While lenders may want to show their appreciation by approving a loan for a bad credit borrower, these types of action will likely not keep them profitable and in business. Lenders that specialize in serving veterans may be able to make some exceptions but it just depends on the circumstances. It may be easier to qualify for a secured loan if you are a veteran with bad credit. You may want to approach the VA or a credit union such as Navy Federal or USAA and see if they can provide advice that may help you rebuild your credit. While you may need a loan right away, taking a high-interest loan with bad credit may only worsen your financial position. Putting in the time and effort to improve your credit score is one of the best things you can likely do.

Where can a veteran get a personal loan?

One of the best resources available to veterans is the local Veterans Affairs Office. As a veteran, you may want to visit the office and see if they have any recommendations for getting a personal loan. Otherwise, veterans can get a personal loan anywhere they qualify. While it may be smart to get a personal loan offer from a lender that specializes in helping veterans, you should always compare offers. If you are looking to compare personal loan offers from the comfort of your own home, you should apply at Acorn Finance. At Acorn Finance, you can access top national lenders that want to compete for your business.

Are there special loans for veterans?

In some cases, there are special loans for veterans. However, you need to get them from the VA or another company that specializes in giving loans to veterans. For example, if you need a home loan or mortgage, you may qualify for the VA home loan. This is a loan that is meant to help service members purchase homes without needing a down payment or high credit. These loans are also available to service members and some military spouses. However, the VA usually only offers home loans and grants. They do not have an option for personal loans or a program that helps veterans get loans for other purposes like cars and personal expenses. If you need a personal loan, you may need to look for lenders or use your bank or credit union. Many online lenders offer low-interest rates and good terms that veterans can use to help with whatever financing they may need. Some lenders might offer discounts for veterans or make the requirements for veterans less strict, but in most cases, the requirements will be the same as for civilians. You will still need to meet the same credit score requirements and have a low debt-to-income ratio in order to qualify. Some companies that are known to give veteran benefits or have less strict requirements for veterans include:

PenFed Credit Union
Navy Federal Credit Union
USAA
OneMain
Avant
Peerform
LightStream
SoFi
Earnest

Some programs act as grants rather than loans. This money you don’t have to pay back. However, they have strict requirements, and you need to show that you have a high need for them. If you need money for housing, disability, education, or other assistance, you can try applying to the following programs for loans other forms of financial assistance:

Adaptation Grants: These are grants for veterans that have permanent and total service-connected disabilities. They help you to purchase, construct, or modify a home to better help it fit your needs.
Troops to Teachers: This is a program that helps people that were in the armed services that are now looking to earn a degree in education. It can help pay for tuition or other school expenses.
Rebuild Hope: This is an emergency financial assistance grant that helps disabled veterans of the Iraq or Afghanistan wars.
Modest Needs Homecoming Heroes Grant: This is for veterans who have recently returned from overseas deployment who may need help with emergency expenses.
Unmet Needs Program: This program is for veterans, service members, and military families with financial difficulties that are from deployment or other military-related activities or injuries.

What credit score does a veteran need for a personal loan?

For most personal loan lenders, a veteran will need a credit score of at least 650 in order to qualify for the best personal loans. You might still be able to get personal loans with lower credit, but you will have high interest and high APR.

If you are only offered high-interest loans, you might want to consider if the added fees are worth it to take out the loan. You can also spend a few months trying to raise your credit score and then try checking your loan options again. If you are going to try and raise your credit score, try the following methods:

Try and get your credit card usage to 30% or lower. Having high credit card usage shows that you might be spending out of your means.
Lower your debt-to-income ratio. Try and pay off an existing debt so that your income further exceeds how much debt you have. This is a great way to raise your credit score.
Check your credit history. If you are surprised to see that you have low credit, go through your history and make sure there’s nothing on there that you don’t recognize.
Make all your payments on time. Make sure you are making all payments on your existing debt on time. Try not to miss any payments.
Don’t apply for too many personal loans. Each time you apply for a personal loan, your credit score may drop because the loan application will do a hard credit check of your information. Try to only apply for personal loans that you are prequalified for you, so you aren’t stuck with a bunch of loan applications affecting your credit.

Do veterans get better personal loan interest rates?

This depends on the lender. VA home loans often offer better rates than other mortgage companies because they work specifically with veterans and want to help people secure homes and financial help for veterans. Other companies may offer some veteran personal loan interest rates and others will give veterans the same rates as civilians. Whether you are a veteran or active duty, there may be military incentives that you can take advantage of. It’s encouraged that you always ask.

Military credit unions may be more sympathetic to financial challenges that service members face. With a high-stress job that can demand you for months in a row, your spouse may not be able to work as much. While one income is extremely stable, the uncertainty of a military spouse’s schedule can cause financial strain. For service members just getting started, they may not make a lot of money. Military credit unions may be more willing to help service members, regardless of their credit score. They may even extend a loan when no other lenders will. This is especially true for the Navy Federal Credit Union and USAA.

No matter what lender you choose though, always notify them if you are going to be late on a payment. Some lenders are willing to help you and can help you avoid fees for late payments. They might be more willing to help you if they know you are a veteran and are experiencing issues.

Overall, though, your interest rate will depend on your credit score and debt-to-income ratio. This will be the main factor when lenders are deciding if they will give you a loan or not.

How much can a veteran borrow for a personal loan?

This depends on the lender and your credit score. Some personal lenders offer up to $100,000, while other lenders only offer $25,00o0 or less. When you are looking for lenders to work with, make sure you check their maximum lending offer. Keep in mind that not every lender will offer the maximum amount to every borrower. You will still likely need good to excellent credit or a low debt-to-income ratio to get the highest loan amounts. You will also need enough income to cover the monthly payment along with other expenses. Some lenders might offer you a loan, but it might be less than what you asked for if your credit score is on the lower end. If you are having a hard time researching lenders offering the amount you need, try using Acorn Finance. You can check offers within 60 seconds or less without impacting your credit score. Acorn Finance has a network of top national lending partners that can offer loans between $1,000 to $100,000, depending on credit score.

What are the advantages of getting a personal loan with veteran status?

Getting loans with veteran status can give you better options for some personal loans and mortgages with VA home loans. Veterans may also be able to get personal loans with lower fees and no late payment penalties. You can also get a lower APR. This can help you save more money in the long run and allow you to get a loan to pay for the things you need.

Can you get a veteran personal loan with bad credit?

Yes, if you are a veteran of the US armed forces and you are looking for a personal loan, there are many options available to you. In addition to all the options that non-veterans have, you may have access to some financial assistance, grants, or other resources that you may want to explore first, depending on what you need the money for. You may want to check with the US Department of Veterans Affairs first to see if you qualify for any additional financial benefits that you may not be aware of that may help cover the costs of what you may be seeking a loan for. There are also several grant programs available through the VFW and the American Legion that can be used to cover immediate expenses like car repairs, medical bills, housing assistance, etc. Maybe you are looking for a personal loan to finance a home improvement project or to purchase a new vehicle, then you have a variety of options. There are two main financial institutions that work directly with veterans for all their banking and financing needs. Those two institutions are the USAA and Navy Federal Credit Union. USAA is a full-service bank available to veterans, active-duty service members, and the spouses and children of these two. They can offer veterans personal loans, even if they have bad credit. If you already bank with them, then you have the added bonus of having a financial history with the organization. Navy Federal Credit Union may be even easier to qualify for a personal loan if you are a veteran with bad credit. Credit unions, since they are typically a cooperative of members that are not as focused on profit and appeasing shareholders, can be a little less strict with their lending requirements. If you are a veteran with bad credit, getting a membership at Navy Federal Credit Union may be in your best interest for all your financial needs, both present and future. The best part about seeking financing through the USAA or Navy Federal Credit Union is that interest rates are capped at 18% and credit score requirements may be more forgiving for veterans in general. If you do not belong to the USAA or the Navy Federal Credit Union, do not worry. There are still plenty of lenders out there who work with veterans every day to ensure they have the financing they need to pay for many of life’s purchases. You should always compare offers, even if they are not geared toward veterans. At Acorn Finance you can check personal loan offers from top national lenders without impacting your credit score. This is a great way to compare offers before moving forward.

What credit score do I need for a veteran personal loan?

It is important to note that a veteran personal loan is different from a VA loan used as a mortgage for a new home. A VA mortgage may require a credit score of 620 or 640 to qualify. To qualify for a veteran personal loan, you may be able to have a credit score in the low 600s or high 500s. When you are shopping for personal loans through online lenders, keep in mind that these personal loans are available to everyone and that you may not receive any special considerations until after you begin the loan application process with the lender directly. Once you find a lender you may want to work with, that is when you can notify the lender of your veteran status and to see what kinds of promotions or special programs they have for veterans. Since you will be shopping the online lending marketplace the same as anyone else, you may want to have a credit score in the 610 to 640 range. Most online lenders have minimum credit score requirements that begin in this range. If you have a credit score below 610, you may still want to see if you can prequalify for a personal loan to see where you sit in the eyes of particular lenders. Some online lenders are willing to work with borrowers who have credit scores in the high 500s if they see that you can meet some other additional criteria.

What is the minimum credit score to get a veteran personal loan?

If you are a veteran searching for a personal loan through the USAA or a credit union like Navy Federal Credit Union or Pentagon Federal Credit Union, you may be able to qualify for a personal loan even with a very low credit score. If you are looking on the general online lending market for a personal loan, then you may want to have a credit score between 610 and 640, though there may be lenders who will still consider you for a personal loan if your credit score is lower.

Can you get a personal loan with a 500 credit score?

Getting a personal loan with a credit score of 500 may be very difficult unless you have some sort of collateral or a cosigner willing to sign onto the loan with you. If you are a veteran with a credit score of 500, you may want to check with Navy Federal or Pentagon Credit Unions.

How much can I borrow for a veteran personal loan with bad credit?

Depending on your credit situation, you may be eligible to borrow up to $100,000 with a personal loan through an online lender. The chances of you qualifying for a personal loan of a significant amount will depend on the lender and how bad your credit history is.

What interest rate can I get for a veteran personal loan with bad credit?

If you are looking for a personal loan through the USAA, Navy Federal Credit Union, or the Pentagon Credit Union, then APRs are capped at around 18%. If you go with an online lender, the highest interest rates that some lenders offer tend to cap-off around 35.99%.

Where can I get a personal loan for veterans with bad credit?

There are many places where a veteran with bad credit could get a personal loan. You can always try a financial institution that is designed specifically for active-duty and veteran service members, or you could go with a regular bank or online lender.

How can I get a personal loan for veterans with bad credit?

You should check with a financial institution dedicated to serving military service members and veterans. However, you should also compare offers with online lenders. Once of the best places to check online offers for personal loans is Acorn Finance. You can check offers without impacting your credit score. If you choose to accept an offer, funds can be deposited into your account in as little as 1 business day, although funding times may vary.

Why choose Acorn Finance for veteran personal loans?

Acorn Finance can make checking personal loan offers safe and easy. Within 60 seconds or less you can receive multiple offers from top national lenders with no impact on your credit score. Save yourself the time, hassle, and risk of hopelessly searching the internet for the best personal loan offer. Taking advantage of the Acorn Finance platform can help you shop and compare offers efficiently. You can be sure you are working with a trustworthy lender if you use an Acorn Finance lending partner. In closing, as a veteran, a VA home loan is one of the most beneficial types of loans available. Outside of a VA home loan, you may have all the same choices as a non-veteran borrower. When it comes to making sound financial decisions you should always do your research and compare loan offers. You may want to contact the local Veterans Affairs Office as well. For veterans that may be struggling you may be able to find scholarships, grants, or local charities that can help if borrowing and repaying a loan is not within your capability at this time.

“The first bank we applied with was disappointing. Your process is easier because of the soft credit inquiry, then you get offers, find the best one, and take it.”

Lisa R.

Illinois | HVAC

“I was pleasantly surprised how easy this process was. It couldn’t have been a better experience. Got just what I need for my home project and would do it again should the need arise.”

Drew D.

Virginia | Deck and Roofing

“Your website was really easy to navigate. It was very clear and very simple to use. It was nice to be able to see all the different offers up front.”

Sarah G.

Virginia | Roofing

“I like the easy online and 100% paperless experience of Acorn Finance. I received my money two days after completing my application.”

Bob S.

Wisconsin

“It was important to me that I could review my offers without any impact to my credit score, before deciding on the best loan option.”

Carol R.

Florida

“The process couldn’t have been any easier. I filled out a short form that took me less than 2 minutes and within seconds I got multiple offers from lenders.”