Can I get a personal loan with a 500 credit score?
Possibly, but options are limited and APRs will run at or near the legal cap. A 500 FICO is below the floor of most online installment lenders (typical minimum is 580). Some subprime lenders consider 500-579 with verified income; expect APRs of 30-35.99%, loan amounts of $500-$3,000, and short terms.
Context
A 500 credit score puts you in the 'poor' tier and excludes you from prime and most fair-credit lenders. The lenders who will work with a 500 FICO underwrite primarily on income, employment stability, and bank-account history rather than score.
Better-cost alternatives for a 500-FICO borrower include: federal credit-union Payday Alternative Loans (PALs), capped at 28% APR with $200-$2,000 amounts; secured personal loans backed by a vehicle title or savings account; and family loans documented with a written promissory note at the IRS Applicable Federal Rate.
If the cash need can wait 60-90 days, focus on raising the score first. Paying down revolving balances and disputing inaccurate negatives can move a 500 score into the 540-580 range relatively quickly, unlocking meaningfully better APRs.
- Reviewed by
- Compliance Review
- Last reviewed
- May 22, 2026
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