Personal loan requirements: credit score, income and age by lender (2026)

What credit score do you need for a personal loan?

Most lenders don't say. Of the 12 we checked, Achieve publishes 560 and Prosper publishes 640. The rest keep their minimums unpublished.

Achieve's figure rises to 660 for debt consolidation loans of $35,000 or more ^[1]. Prosper states its 640 on its own personal loan page ^[9]. LightStream doesn't give a number but says it wants a good-to-excellent FICO Score ^[7], which myFICO puts at 670 and up ^[16].

Avant publishes a typical range instead of a minimum. It says most of its customers who get loans score 600 to 700 ^[3]. Upstart says applicants must meet minimum credit criteria set by its underwriting guidelines, and that the details vary by state and lending partner ^[13][14].

How much income do you need for a personal loan?

Only Discover publishes a figure: $25,000 a year in individual or household income. Other lenders ask for income without naming a minimum.

Discover's rule is in its requirements list ^[5]. SoFi says you must be employed, have enough income from other sources, or have a job offer that starts within 90 days ^[10]. Achieve asks for proof of income ^[1], and OneMain says it looks at income and expenses ^[8]. Upstart says it wants a source of income but gives no dollar amount ^[13].

What debt-to-income ratio do personal loan lenders want?

None of the 12 lenders publish a DTI cutoff. Upstart asks for a 'balanced' ratio, and Happen Bank says a low one helps you get its lowest rates.

Upstart's help center says lenders look for a debt-to-income ratio where existing debt is manageable relative to income ^[14]. Happen Bank lists a low ratio among the things that help with its lowest rates ^[6]. Bankrate says lenders set rates mainly on creditworthiness and DTI ^[17]. To see where you stand, run your numbers through the debt-to-income calculator.

What are the age and residency requirements?

Lenders that publish them ask for 18 or older, or the age of majority in your state, plus US citizenship, permanent residency or a valid visa.

• Upgrade: 18 or older (older where your state's age of majority is higher), and a US citizen, permanent resident, or living in the US on a valid visa ^[12].
• SoFi: the age of majority in your state, and a US citizen, eligible permanent resident or non-permanent resident alien living in a state where it lends ^[10].
• Happen Bank: 18 or older and a US citizen or resident. It takes applications from all states and DC, but not the US territories ^[6].
• Discover: 18 or older, with a valid US Social Security number and a physical address ^[5].
• Upstart: 18 or older, with a valid US residential address ^[13].
• Best Egg: not available in Iowa, Nebraska, Vermont, West Virginia, DC or the US territories ^[4].

What else do lenders check before they lend?

Recent bankruptcies, accounts that are behind, recent inquiries, and whether your credit changes before the loan funds.

Upstart's help center lists several of these. Lenders may look for no bankruptcies or unpaid public records in the last 3 years and no accounts currently delinquent or in default. They may also weigh recent credit inquiries, and they can recheck your credit before funding ^[14]. SoFi asks existing borrowers to have made at least three payments, the last three on time, before taking another loan ^[10]. It also makes you wait at least 30 days before you reapply with the same borrowers ^[11]. Upgrade wants a bank account it can verify and a valid email address ^[12].