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FAQ: Payday Loans, Costs, Speed and Eligibility

Frequently Asked Questions

The answers below cover how the whole service works: who qualifies, what credit costs, how fast money moves, and where the limits come from. State-level numbers live on each state’s page, reachable from the homepage grid, and every one of those pages carries its own local FAQ.

Common questions

Loan basics

What is a payday loan?
A payday loan (cash advance) is a small-dollar loan, usually $100 to $1,000, repaid in a single payment on your next payday, typically two to four weeks out. It exists for urgent one-off expenses, not for long-term borrowing.
How is a payday loan different from an installment loan?
A payday loan is one lump due in full on payday. An installment loan spreads $100 to $5,000 across three to twenty-four months of fixed payments. Installments cost less per dollar and sit easier on one paycheck; the trade is a credit review and a longer commitment.
How much can I borrow?
The payday market tops out near $1,000 per cycle, and several states cap lower: $500 in Alabama, $255 net in California, $700 in Washington. Larger amounts belong to the installment market, which runs to $5,000; our $1,200-$1,400 guide and $2,000 page cover the range above the ceiling.
Which states do you serve?
The 38 states where short-term lending is legal or state-regulated. Every state page lists the current cap, fee structure, statute, and regulator, and the rates and fees table lines them all up. Residents of states that prohibit payday lending see the alternatives instead.

Costs, credit and repayment

What does a payday loan cost?
Per-$100 fees typically run $10 to $30, which annualizes to roughly 400% to 660% APR on a two-week term. State caps set the exact number, and every state page shows the local maximum fee alongside a worked cost example from published state rules.
Can I apply with bad credit or no credit?
You can always request; approval is a separate question. Network lenders evaluate income regularity and use soft checks at the request stage, so a low score does not end the conversation. Each lender applies its own criteria, and no approval is guaranteed.
Will a payday loan touch my credit score?
The request itself usually leaves no trace, since soft checks stay invisible to other lenders. Most payday lenders do not report on-time repayment, but a default is often sold to collections and will damage the score. The full picture is in our guide on payday loans and credit.
What happens if I cannot repay on time?
Expect a returned-payment fee from your bank and late fees from the lender, and in most states a rollover that adds a fresh finance charge to the same principal. Several states guarantee an extended payment plan at no extra cost; ask before the due date. Our debt cycle guide lists the exits.
Is early repayment allowed?
Yes, and reputable lenders charge no prepayment penalty on single-cycle advances. For interest-bearing installment products, paying early saves the remaining interest, so the payoff lands below the scheduled total. Confirm the payoff amount in writing before you send it.

Applying through this site

Who is eligible to apply?
The network baseline: at least 18 years old, a verifiable income source (typically $800 to $1,000 per month or more), an active checking account, and a working phone or email. Meeting the baseline starts the review; it does not guarantee approval.
How fast does the money arrive?
Decisions usually arrive within minutes of submitting. After you accept an offer, direct deposit typically completes the next business day; approvals early on a banking day sometimes fund the same day, depending on the lender and your bank.
Is it safe to enter my bank details?
The request travels over an encrypted connection, and lenders need the account only to deposit funds and collect the agreed repayment. We never charge applicants, and no legitimate lender asks for upfront cash by gift card or wire before approving a loan.
Do you offer tribal loans?
Yes. Tribal loans are installment products from lenders owned by federally recognized tribes, operating under tribal and federal law. They approve borrowers state-licensed markets decline, including residents of the states that ban payday lending, at typically 400% to 800% APR. Price the regulated options first.
How do I spot a payday loan scam?
The red flags: guaranteed approval before any review, upfront fees demanded by gift card or wire, no physical address or license disclosure, and pressure to decide in minutes. Our scam checklist walks through every one.
Is this site a lender?
No. First Plus Group is a referral service that connects applicants with independent participating lenders. Applicants never pay us, we make no credit decisions, and the lender you connect with sets all rates, terms, and approvals.

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