Edited by Michelle TipswordHow to Get a $6,000 Personal Loan
Quick Answer
You can get a $6,000 personal loan by submitting an application and providing the supporting documentation the lender needs to make a loan decision. Checking your credit before applying can help you identify lenders most likely to be a good fit.
Your furnace quits in the middle of winter. Your car needs a new transmission. You're saddled with unexpected medical bills. A personal loan can help cover these and many other expenses.
Getting one can be simple. But it's important to understand the process and consider alternatives before submitting an application so you can choose the method for getting extra cash that's best for you.
Where to Get a $6,000 Personal Loan
Many lenders offer personal loans. Here are a few to check out.
Banks
Banks provide a traditional route for getting a $6,000 loan. With brick-and-mortar networks, you can usually apply in person or online, and if you already have a relationship with a bank, that could be a good place to start. Banks tend to have more stringent credit requirements than other lenders.
Credit Unions
Unlike a bank, where anyone can apply, you have to be a member of a credit union to get a personal loan, but joining isn't typically difficult. While some credit unions have strict membership requirements, others let almost anyone become a member. Because federally chartered credit unions currently cap personal loan interest rates at 18%, you may be able to find lower rates than with other lenders, some of which charge rates of over 30%.
Learn more: Banks vs. Credit Unions: Which Is Better?
Consumer Finance Companies
Unlike banks and credit unions, which provide a suite of financial products and services, consumer finance companies generally only offer loans to customers. These companies often specialize in lending to subprime borrowers and typically have higher starting interest rates than other lenders.
Online Lenders
Peer-to-peer networks and other online lenders also offer personal loans, but if you like being able to walk into your local bank or credit union branch, this option may not be a good fit. If you don't mind a completely online application experience and getting help over email, via online chat, by phone or through the lender's mobile app, an online lender may be a good fit.
Online lenders may also offer lower rates than some other options, as they have less overhead than banks or credit unions which operate physical branches.
Online Marketplaces
An online marketplace isn't technically a lender, but applying through one makes it easy to compare offers from multiple lenders with a single application. If you accept an offer, your loan is funded by the lender—not the marketplace.
Compare personal loan rates
Find APRs from 4.99% to 35.99% and flexible terms of 12 to 120 months. Loan amounts range from $1,000 up to $250,000, with funding available the same day or up to 7 days.
Offers from our partners
Est. APR6.70 - 35.99%
Loan amount$1,000 - $50,000
Est. monthly payment$1,806 - $31
Term36 - 60 mo
Est. APR6.99 - 35.99%
Loan amount$2,000 - $50,000
Est. monthly payment$1,806 - $62
Term36 - 60 mo
Est. APR4.99 - 32.39%
Loan amount$1,000 - $60,000
Est. monthly payment$2,030 - $44
Term24 - 60 mo
Est. APR7.74 - 35.49%
Loan amount$5,000 - $100,000
Est. monthly payment$3,237 - $226
Term24 - 84 mo
Est. APR6.45 - 33.64%
Loan amount$1,000 - $50,000
Est. monthly payment$1,731 - $31
Term36 - 60 mo
Est. APR8.99 - 35.99%
Loan amount$2,000 - $50,000
Est. monthly payment$1,806 - $91
Term24 - 60 mo
Est. APR7.70 - 24.50%
Loan amount$5,000 - $50,000
Est. monthly payment$1,453 - $225
Term24 - 60 mo
Est. APR11.11%
Loan amount$1,000 - $15,000
Est. monthly payment$327 - $88
Term12 - 60 mo
Est. APR7.99 - 35.99%
Loan amount$5,000 - $40,000
Est. monthly payment$1,445 - $226
Term24 - 60 mo
Est. APR7.99 - 35.99%
Loan amount$2,000 - $30,000
Est. monthly payment$1,187 - $90
Term24 - 48 mo
Est. APR6.99 - 26.99%
Loan amount$15,000 - $50,000
Est. monthly payment$1,526 - $672
Term24 - 60 mo
Est. APR9.95 - 35.95%
Loan amount$2,000 - $35,000
Est. monthly payment$1,264 - $92
Term24 - 60 mo
Est. APR8.39 - 28.70%
Loan amount$20,000 - $250,000
Est. monthly payment$6,352 - $409
Term60 - 120 mo
Est. APR9.98 - 26.80%
Loan amount$5,000 - $50,000
Est. monthly payment$1,403 - $231
Term24 - 72 mo
Est. APR9.99 - 35.99%
Loan amount$1,000 - $35,000
Est. monthly payment$1,264 - $32
Term36 - 60 mo
Est. APR8.47 - 33.64%
Loan amount$1,000 - $50,000
Est. monthly payment$1,731 - $32
Term36 - 60 mo
Est. APR18.00 - 35.99%
Loan amount$1,500 - $20,000
Est. monthly payment$723 - $54
Term36 - 60 mo
View all of our Best Personal Loans for 2026 to see what you’re likely to qualify for, and the rates and terms you might get.
How to Apply for a $6,000 Personal Loan
Applying for a personal loan isn't difficult. The steps below outline how to prepare and what you can expect.
- Check your credit. Knowing your credit scores before applying helps set realistic expectations about the offers you may receive. You can get your FICO® ScoreΘ and credit report for free anytime at Experian.
- Research lenders. Lenders have varying credit criteria, loan amounts, terms and fees. Spend time researching different institutions upfront to identify those that are most likely to meet your needs.
- Get prequalified. Many lenders let you get prequalified before submitting a formal application. This process allows you to see your estimated interest rate, loan amount and terms you may qualify for. Because prequalification uses a soft credit inquiry, it doesn't affect your credit scores, making it a low-risk way to shop around and compare offers between lenders.
- Select a lender. After reviewing your offers, choose the one that best meets your needs and get ready to submit an application.
- Gather necessary documents. Lenders may require you to provide a copy of your driver's license, pay stubs, W-2s and bank statements to determine your eligibility for a loan. Gathering them in advance can help speed the application process.
- Submit a formal application. Lenders must verify your identity and creditworthiness to determine your loan eligibility. You'll generally be asked to provide your date of birth, address, Social Security number and the documentation you gathered in the previous step. Applying generates a hard credit inquiry, which can temporarily lower your credit scores by a few points.
- Receive a loan decision. The lender will either approve or deny your application. This could be an instant decision, especially if you're using an online lender, or it could take a couple of days for the lender to review your documentation.
- Review the loan offer. If your application is approved, review the terms and conditions carefully. Pay attention to the loan amount, interest rate, fees and loan term. They may be different from what you prequalified for. If you're happy with what you see, accept the loan offer by signing and returning it to the lender.
- Receive your funding. Funding timelines typically range from one to seven days, depending on the lender.
Should I Get a $6,000 Personal Loan?
Taking out a personal loan can provide the funds you need to cover expenses when you're short on cash. But if you have poor credit, don't have a stable income to repay what you borrow or plan to use the funds to purchase discretionary items, getting a loan could negatively affect your financial health.
However, if you have good credit, can qualify for a low rate and have a reliable paycheck that allows you to repay your loan on time, it may be a good option for emergencies or to cover essentials, such as:
- Medical bills: If you have medical expenses piling up, a personal loan can help you pay them off, possibly with a lower rate than a medical credit card or other type of financing. Before you borrow to cover your bills, ask your provider if they offer payment plans that allow you to pay off your bills interest-free over time.
- Car repairs: If you rely on your vehicle to get to and from work and don't have the cash to cover necessary repairs, a personal loan could help you get up and running again.
- Home repairs: Using a personal loan to cover home repairs or replace aging appliances can help prevent small problems from becoming larger, more expensive ones.
- Debt consolidation: Consolidating high-interest credit card debt into a single monthly payment can help you save on interest charges if you qualify for a lower rate. Consider pausing your credit card use until you pay off your loan or only use it to pay for things you have the cash to cover to avoid accruing more debt.
Alternatives to Personal Loans
Before committing to a personal loan to get extra cash, here are a few alternatives to consider.
- Credit card: A card with a 0% APR introductory offer can help you avoid paying interest if you pay off your purchase in full before the end of the promotional period, but you'll need good or excellent credit to qualify.
- Home equity line of credit (HELOC): If you have enough equity in your home, borrowing against it with a home equity line of credit can provide the cash you need. Because your home secures a HELOC, it typically has a lower rate than a personal loan, but you risk losing your home if you can't make your payments.
- Selling unused items: If you have a pile of stuff laying around your house that you no longer need, selling it can help you get cash fast.
- Borrowing from friends and family: Consider asking someone you know and trust to lend you the money to help you cover expenses. Be sure to take steps to preserve your relationship, including using a contract and repaying what you borrow as agreed.
- Getting a side gig: Taking on a second job, freelancing or starting a side business can help you generate more income to pay for expenses.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Bottom Line
Getting a personal loan is a straightforward process. Many lenders offer personal loans, giving you plenty of options to explore to find one that aligns with your creditworthiness and meets your needs. Experian makes it easy to compare loan options by matching you with offers from multiple lenders at one time based on your Experian credit profile.
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About the author
Jennifer Brozic
Jennifer Brozic is a freelance content marketing writer specializing in personal finance topics, including building credit, personal loans, auto loans, credit cards, mortgages, budgeting, insurance, retirement planning and more.
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