Five questions that point to your options

Why look at alternatives first

A loan solves a timing problem by adding a cost. Sometimes the company you owe would rather set up a plan than wait, a program exists for exactly your situation, or a credit union can lend far more cheaply than the first offer you saw. This guide points to those options first.

It isn’t a judgment about borrowing. If a loan is the right move, the last option it shows explains how to compare offers by total cost.

Limits

Programs, eligibility and costs vary by state, income and provider. The full guide, alternatives to borrowing, explains each option in more depth.