Personal Finance Borrow Money: Trusted Companies and Resources 2 people contribute to this content Written by Jeff Gitlen, CEPF® Written by Jeff Gitlen, CEPF® Expertise: Student loans, personal loans, home loans, investing Jeff Gitlen, CEPF®, is the director of growth at LendEDU. He graduated from the Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics at the University of Delaware. Learn more about Jeff Gitlen, CEPF® Edited by Kristen Barrett, MAT Edited by Kristen Barrett, MAT Expertise: Student loans, mortgages, personal loans, home equity, investing Kristen Barrett is a managing editor at LendEDU. She lives in Cincinnati, Ohio, with her wife and their three senior rescue dogs. She has edited and written personal finance content since 2015. Learn more about Kristen Barrett, MAT Written by Jeff Gitlen, CEPF® Written by Jeff Gitlen, CEPF® Expertise: Student loans, personal loans, home loans, investing Jeff Gitlen, CEPF®, is the director of growth at LendEDU. He graduated from the Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics at the University of Delaware. Learn more about Jeff Gitlen, CEPF® Edited by Kristen Barrett, MAT Edited by Kristen Barrett, MAT Expertise: Student loans, mortgages, personal loans, home equity, investing Kristen Barrett is a managing editor at LendEDU. She lives in Cincinnati, Ohio, with her wife and their three senior rescue dogs. She has edited and written personal finance content since 2015. Learn more about Kristen Barrett, MAT show more Jan 29, 2026 What type of borrowing are you looking for? ‹ Student Loans Personal Loans Cash Advance Home Equity Loans Mortgages Auto Loans › Student loans help cover education costs when savings, scholarships, and federal aid fall short. Rates, repayment terms, and cosigner requirements vary widely by lender and borrower profile. Comparing options can help you balance monthly payments with long-term cost. Compare Student Loans Read More Personal loans provide fixed-rate financing for expenses like debt consolidation or major purchases. Loan terms, including interest rates, fees, loan amounts, and funding speed, vary by lender and depend on your credit profile and income. Reviewing multiple offers helps you avoid unnecessary costs. Compare Personal Loans Read More Cash advance apps offer short-term access to funds before your next paycheck arrives. Costs can include tips, subscriptions, or express transfer fees depending on the provider. Understanding repayment timing and total cost is key before borrowing. Compare Cash Advance Apps Read More Home equity loans let you borrow against your home’s value with predictable monthly payments. Rates, closing costs, and borrowing limits vary by lender and depend on your available equity and credit profile. Comparing lenders helps manage both risk and long-term expense. Compare Home Equity Loans Read More Mortgages are used to purchase a home or refinance an existing loan. Interest rates, loan types, and down payment requirements vary by lender and borrower. Shopping offers can significantly reduce the total cost of homeownership. Compare Mortgages Read More Auto loans finance new or used vehicles through banks, credit unions, or online lenders. Rates and terms depend on credit, vehicle type, and whether the loan is for purchase or refinance. Preapproval can improve leverage and pricing. Compare Auto Loans Read More How borrowing works Borrowing money allows you to access funds now and repay them over time, typically with interest or fees. Lenders evaluate factors like your credit history, income, and existing debt to determine eligibility, pricing, and terms. Because borrowing products are designed for different needs, costs and repayment structures can vary widely depending on the type of loan you choose. We’ll break down the different lending products to help you determine the best fit. Student loans Best Overall 5.0 View Rates View Rates Rates (APR) 2.74% – 17.99% Funding $1K – total costs Min. Credit Score Mid-600s 5.0 View Rates Best for Cosigners 4.8 View Rates View Rates Rates (APR) 2.89% – 17.49 Funding $1K – total costs Min. Credit Score Mid-600s 4.8 View Rates Great Marketplace 4.6 View Rates View Rates Rates (APR) 2.69% – 17.99% Funding $1K – total costs Min. Credit Score Varies 4.6 View Rates Student loan resources Student loans help cover the cost of higher education when savings, scholarships, and federal aid aren’t enough. Borrowers can choose from federal student loans, which offer standardized terms and protections, and private student loans, which may provide higher borrowing limits or competitive rates for qualified applicants. Interest rates, repayment options, and eligibility requirements vary widely by lender and loan type. Comparing student loan options allows you to evaluate costs, understand cosigner requirements, and choose repayment terms that align with your post-graduation financial plans. How Do Student Loans Work? January 20, 2026 Federal vs. Private Student Loans: What’s the Difference? February 28, 2025 Top Student Loan Uses According to Our Research, Plus Key Do’s and Don’ts When Managing Loan Funds June 25, 2025 Personal loans Great Marketplace 4.9 View Rates View Rates Rates (APR) 6.49% – 35.99% Funding $1K – $200K Min. Credit Score Varies 4.9 View Rates Great for Bad Credit 4.8 View Rates View Rates Rates (APR) 6.60% – 35.99% Funding $1K – $75K Min. Credit Score 300 4.8 View Rates Great Online Lender 4.6 View Rates View Rates Rates (APR) 7.74% – 35.99% Funding $1K – $50K Min. Credit Score 580 4.6 View Rates Personal loan resources Personal loans provide a lump sum that is repaid in fixed monthly payments over a set period. They’re commonly used for debt consolidation, medical expenses, home projects, or large purchases and typically don’t require collateral. Lenders evaluate factors such as credit score, income, and existing debt to determine interest rates and loan terms. Comparing personal loan offers helps you find competitive rates, avoid unnecessary fees, and choose a repayment schedule that fits your budget. How Do Personal Loans Work? A Guide for Beginners September 26, 2025 How to Calculate Your Personal Loan Payment January 8, 2026 Cash advance Best Overall 4.9 Get Cash Get Cash Max. Advance $1,000 Free Delivery 1 – 3 days Express Delivery $2.99 fee 4.9 Get Cash Best for SpotMe Free-Free Overdraft 4.6 Get Cash Get Cash Max. Advance $200 Free Delivery – Express Delivery $0 4.6 Get Cash Best for Stacking Small Advances 4.1 Get Cash Get Cash Max. Advance $250 Free Delivery 3 – 4 days Express Delivery $3.99 – $9.99 fee 4.1 Get Cash Cash advance resources Cash advance apps offer short-term access to smaller amounts of money, often intended to cover expenses until your next paycheck. Instead of traditional interest, costs may come from subscription fees, optional tips, or expedited transfer charges. Because repayment typically happens quickly, it’s important to understand the total cost and timing before using a cash advance. Comparing apps helps you identify lower-cost options and avoid features that could make short-term borrowing more expensive. What Is a Cash Advance? From Credit Cards to Apps November 14, 2025 How to Get a Cash Advance (Instantly, No Fees) November 13, 2025 Home equity loans Best HELOC 4.9 View Rates View Rates Rates (APR) 6.65% – 14.60% Funding $20K – $400K Min. Credit Score 640 4.9 View Rates Best HELOC Customer Reviews 4.8 View Rates View Rates Rates (APR) 6.99% – 15.49% Funding $5K – $250K Min. Credit Score 640 4.8 View Rates Best Home Equity Agreement 4.8 Visit Site Visit Site Rates (APR) None Funding $15K – $600K Min. Credit Score 600 4.8 Visit Site Best Traditional HELOC 4.7 View Rates View Rates Rates (APR) 7.75%+ Funding $10K – $1M Min. Credit Score 670 4.7 View Rates 12-month introductory rate starting at 5.99% for VantageScores of 720 and up1, with variable post-introductory rates starting at 7.00% Best Multi-Product Application 4.1 View Rates View Rates Rates (APR) Not disclosed Funding Up to $400K Min. Credit Score 640 4.1 View Rates Home equity loan resources Home equity loans allow homeowners to borrow against the value of their home, typically with fixed interest rates and predictable monthly payments. Because the loan is secured by your property, rates are often lower than unsecured borrowing options. Borrowing against home equity involves long-term considerations, including closing costs and the risk of foreclosure if payments aren’t made. Comparing lenders helps you evaluate borrowing limits, fees, and repayment terms based on your equity and financial profile. How Does a HELOC Work? March 27, 2024 What Is a Home Equity Agreement (HEA Loan), and How Does It Work? January 8, 2026 Home Equity Loan Terms September 16, 2025 Mortgages Sponsored Mortgage resources Mortgages are long-term loans used to purchase a home or refinance an existing mortgage. Loan types, interest rates, and down payment requirements vary by lender and borrower qualifications. Even small differences in mortgage rates can significantly affect the total cost of homeownership. Comparing lenders helps you identify competitive offers, understand closing costs, and choose a loan structure that fits your financial goals. How Do Mortgages Work? The Beginner’s Guide to Navigating 2026 Home Purchases January 2, 2026 How to Get the Best Mortgage Rate in 2026: 10 Strategies January 8, 2026 Auto loans Great for Comparison Shopping 4.8 View Rates View Rates Rates (APR) 5.24% – 24.99% Funding $8K – $100K Min. Credit Score 600 4.8 View Rates Best for Good Credit 4.7 View Rates View Rates Rates (APR) 6.99% – 15.74% Funding $5K – $100K Min. Credit Score Not disclosed 4.7 View Rates Best for Lifetime Financing 4.6 View Rates View Rates Rates (APR) 4.33% – 12.00% Funding $25K – $150K Min. Credit Score 680 4.6 View Rates Auto loan resources Auto loans finance the purchase of new or used vehicles and are offered by banks, credit unions, dealerships, and online lenders. Rates and terms depend on factors such as credit score, vehicle age, and whether the loan is for purchase or refinance. Comparing auto loan offers before visiting a dealership can help you avoid higher markups and improve negotiating power. Preapproval also provides clarity on monthly payments and total borrowing costs. How Do Auto Loans Work? June 12, 2025 12 Types of Auto Loans June 12, 2025 How Much Is the Monthly Payment on a Car Loan in 2026? Average Costs and Real-World Scenarios January 8, 2026 About our contributors Written by Jeff Gitlen, CEPF® Jeff Gitlen, CEPF®, is the director of growth at LendEDU. He graduated from the Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics at the University of Delaware. Edited by Kristen Barrett, MAT Kristen Barrett is a managing editor at LendEDU. She lives in Cincinnati, Ohio, with her wife and their three senior rescue dogs. She has edited and written personal finance content since 2015.
Top Student Loan Uses According to Our Research, Plus Key Do’s and Don’ts When Managing Loan Funds June 25, 2025
How Much Is the Monthly Payment on a Car Loan in 2026? Average Costs and Real-World Scenarios January 8, 2026