COMPARE Best DIRECT LENDERS & Lending MARKETPLACE All in one place.

Upstart Personal Loans Overview

Upstart is a lending platform that offers personal loans to individuals with a wide range of credit scores, including those who may not qualify for traditional bank loans. Upstart has assisted over 2.7 million consumers and originated over $34 billion in loans. The company uses an innovative and unique underwriting model that considers factors such as education, employment history, and other non-traditional data points to determine creditworthiness.

Advertising Disclosure

Our website is an informative comparison site committed to providing users with helpful information about various products and services that match their needs. Because of the advertising compensation we receive from brands and service providers, we can provide this service for free. Advertising income, product popularity, and our subjective experience and procedures may all impact the placement and position of brands on our site and its pages. It is important to remember that the brand overview is provided "as-is," with no guarantees or warranties, and should not be interpreted as an endorsement. We try to keep the information up-to-date, but the terms of offers may change at any time.

 

Disclaimer: Opinions, overviews, analyses, and recommendations are solely those of the author and haven't been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any insurance, loan, or credit card issuers.

  • Last Updated: September 26, 2023

Disclaimer

Your loan amount will be determined based on your credit, income, and certain other information provided in your loan application. Not all applicants will qualify for the full amount. Minimum loan amounts vary by state: GA ($3,100), HI ($2,100), MA ($7,000). The full range of available rates varies by state. A representative example of payment terms for a Personal Loan is as follows: a borrower receives a loan of $10,000 for a term of 60 months, with an interest rate of 19.82% and a 9.9% origination fee of $990, for an APR of 25.03%. In this example, the borrower will receive $9010 and will make 60 monthly payments of $265. APR is calculated based on 5-year rates offered in June 2023. There is no down-payment and no prepayment penalty. Your APR will be determined based on your credit, income, and certain other information provided in your loan application. Not all applicants will be approved.

Upstart Personal Loan

DirectLendersList is not a review site; instead, it provides a comprehensive overview of financial products and services and incorporates the Web Rating feature to assist users in making informed decisions.

 

Web Ratings are important to consider when deciding on financial products or services. These ratings provide insights into the customer experience and serve as a helpful metric for assessing the quality of specific lenders, loan marketplaces, banks, or credit card issuers.

 

At DirectLendersList, our internal team takes the initiative to prepare web ratings for various financial products and services. These ratings are compiled using multiple channels to gather data from across the web, including customer feedback, ratings from reputable customer review sites, industry reputation, and other relevant data sources. Utilizing these diverse sources of information aims to provide users with a comprehensive and well-rounded assessment of the financial product or service.

 

The collected data is then utilized to calculate an average web rating, typically on a scale of 1 to 5, reflecting the overall customer satisfaction and experience associated with the specific offering. It is important to emphasize that these ratings are independently prepared by the DirectLendersList internal team and have not been influenced or approved by advertisers. This ensures the ratings remain objective and unbiased, providing users with reliable information to aid their decision-making process.

Web Rating: -
4.4/5

Features

  • Borrow $1,000 - $50,000
  • APR range between 5.2% - 35.99%*
  • Check your rate in 5 minutes
  • No prepayment penalty
  • Financing is available in all 50 states
Get Started

Upstart Personal Loans: Overview, Products, and History

Upstart is an online lending platform specializing in personal loans for individuals with varying credit scores. Compared to regular bank loans, Upstart gives access to loans for those who may not match the qualifying criteria for bank loans. Since its founding, Upstart has assisted over 2.7 million borrowers and funded over $34 billion in loans. Upstart’s cutting-edge underwriting process, which goes beyond traditional credit scores and considers factors such as education, employment history, and other unconventional data points to evaluate a borrower’s creditworthiness, is one of its distinguishing features.

Upstart provides access to fixed-rate personal loans through an innovative underwriting approach. Instead of relying solely on credit history and credit score, they evaluate non-traditional factors such as educational background, grades, and earning potential to assess a borrower’s creditworthiness. The unique underwriting approach has enabled Upstart to lend loans to individuals who regular banks would have denied.

Upstart's History

Upstart was founded in 2012 by four ex-Google employees: Dave Girouard, Anna Counselman, Paul Gu, and Michael Kitchen. Upstart, headquartered in Palo Alto, California, was formed because traditional banks relied on outdated metrics such as credit scores and other variables, preventing a significant percentage of borrowers from obtaining loans. The team created a platform that used artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms to assess borrowers’ creditworthiness based on non-traditional factors such as job history and education.

Google Ventures, Third Point Ventures, KPCB, Khosla Ventures, Founders Fund, First Round Capital, Eric Schmidt, and Mark Cuban are among the banks and investors who have backed Upstart since its inception. In 2019, the platform went public, raising $240 million in an initial public offering (IPO). Upstart has a market capitalization of roughly $9 billion as of 2021.

Upstart’s partnership with banks allows it to offer personal loans ranging from $1,000 to $50,000 for a range of purposes, such as home improvement, medical expenses, and debt consolidation. Once approved, borrowers can expect to receive their funds in as little as one business day.

Upstart's Technology

Upstart has taken advantage of the latest technology advancements, particularly in artificial intelligence and machine learning, to create a sophisticated income and default prediction model. This model is used to assess the creditworthiness of potential borrowers. Unlike traditional lenders, who rely primarily on FICO scores, income, and credit reports, Upstart’s model considers additional factors such as academic performance and work history to create a complete statistical picture of borrowers’ financial strength and the likelihood of repaying their loans. By incorporating these non-traditional criteria, Upstart can provide more accurate assessments of a borrower’s creditworthiness and offer loans to a broader spectrum of individuals, including those who may not fulfill the tight qualifying restrictions of traditional lenders.

Loans Originated
$ 0 B+
Customer satisfaction Rate
0 /5
Trustpilot
Satisfied Customers
0 M+

Upstart Personal Loans: Products and Key Features

Personal Loans for Debt Consolidation: – Upstart provides personal loans for debt consolidation, such as high-interest credit card balances or medical debts. Borrowers can simplify their payments and save money on interest by combining various loans into a single loan.

Personal Loans for Credit Card Refinancing: – Loans from Upstart can also be used to refinance high-interest credit card balances. Borrowers who refinance their credit card debt with a personal loan can save money on interest.

Personal Loans for Home Improvement: – Upstart provides personal loans for home improvement projects such as kitchen remodels and bathroom improvements. These loans can assist homeowners in financing projects without using their home equity.

Personal Loans for Weddings: With an Upstart personal loan, borrowers can easily cover wedding expenses such as venue rental, catering, and photography. By consolidating all costs into a single loan, borrowers can streamline their payments and save on interest.

Personal Loans for Medical Expenses: Upstart provides personal loans for medical needs such as unexpected medical bills, surgeries, or procedures. Medical bills can quickly mount up and financially strain individuals and families. Borrowers can use Upstart loans to pay medical expenses without tapping into their savings or retirement accounts. 

 

Upstart Personal Loans Details

Safety
128-bit secure sockets layer. COMODO CA Limited.
Lender Type
Lending Marketplace
BBB Rating
A+ Rating
APR
5.2% – 35.99%*
Credit Score
300 above
Loan Amount
$1,000 to $50,000
Loan Term
3 or 5 years
Origination Fees
Up to 12%*
Time to Receive Funds
1 to 2 business days*

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident currently residing in the U.S.
  • Must be at least 18 years old (19 in Alabama and Nebraska)
  • Must have a valid email account and social security number.
  • Must have a full-time job, a full-time job offer commencing in 6 months, a regular part-time job, or another steady income source.
  • Must have an active personal banking account.
  • Must meet the minimum credit requirements.

Key Advantages of Upstart Personal Loans

Fast Funding: – Upstart loans offer fast funding, with the possibility of receiving your funds as soon as one business day following approval. This makes it an excellent option for those who need money quickly.

Competitive Rates: – Upstart provides interest rates that are highly competitive and usually lower than what traditional lenders offer.

No Prepayment Penalty: – With Upstart loans, you won’t face any prepayment penalty, which means you can settle your loan ahead of time without any extra charges.

Flexible Repayment Terms: – Upstart loans provide flexible repayment terms with options for 36 or 60 months, allowing you to choose the repayment speed that works best for you.

Easy Application Process: – Applying for an Upstart loan is a breeze with a quick and straightforward application process that can be completed entirely online.

 

Apply for a Upstart Personal Loan

Visit Site

How to Apply for Upstart Personal Loans

01
Check if you prequalify
Before applying, ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria. This includes having a current U.S. residential address, being at least 18 years of age (or 19 in Alabama and Nebraska), possessing a valid email address and Social Security number, meeting the minimum credit and gross income requirements, and fulfilling other requirements as specified.
02
Check your rate
To get started, click on "Check Your Rate." This will direct you to a page where you can provide basic details about yourself and the loan you want. You must input the loan amount, purpose, and preferred term.
03
Complete the application
Upstart will ask for personal information such as your name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, and employment information. You'll also need to link your bank account to verify your income and expenses.
04
Get your rate
After analyzing your credit profile and other factors, Upstart will offer you a personalized rate quote. Please note that this quote is an estimate and not a final offer.
05
Review your offer
Once you receive the loan offer, you have the option to either accept or decline it based on the rate and terms provided. If you decide not to accept, you can explore other options.
06
Provide additional documentation
To verify your income and other information, Upstart may need you to provide extra documentation such as pay stubs, tax returns, and bank statements.
07
Sign your loan agreement
Once approved for a loan, it is necessary to review and sign the loan agreement, which clearly outlines the loan amount, interest rate, applicable fees, and repayment terms.
08
Receive your funds
Once you've signed the loan agreement, Upstart will send the funds to your bank account. The timing will depend on your bank's processing times.
09
Repay your loan
Your loan agreement specifies a repayment schedule that requires you to make monthly payments. Please ensure you adhere to this schedule.

Benefits of Upstart Personal Loans

Unique predictive model used by Upstart

Upstart has a distinctive approach to assessing creditworthiness by utilizing artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms to streamline the loan process; their advanced data science model considers various factors, including the applicant’s education, SAT scores, GPA, work history, earning potential, and more. This enables Upstart to make more informed decisions regarding an applicant’s creditworthiness, even with a limited credit history.

As a result, Upstart is an ideal alternative for individuals who have been denied by other lenders owing to a lack of credit history, as they can still be approved depending on additional factors. Upstart’s innovative use of technology distinguishes them from other lenders in the industry who rely exclusively on credit history to evaluate borrowers.

No issue with the purpose of the loan

Upstart does not place restrictions on the use of funds for personal loans. Borrowers can use the loan for various purposes, including paying off credit card debt, medical expenses, tuition fees, student loan repayment, and even starting or expanding a business. Upstart understands that everyone has different financial needs, and they aim to provide the flexibility to help borrowers achieve their goals.

Fixed interest rate

Upstart offers fixed-rate personal loans, but each applicant’s specific interest rate is determined by factors such as education, work history, credit history, and income. To fully comprehend the overall cost of the loan, it’s crucial to examine the annual percentage rate. This rate includes the interest rate and other fees associated with the loan.

Funding speed and flexibility

Upstart provides fast funding for personal loans, with funds available as soon as the next business day if approved and accepted before 5 pm ET Monday-Friday. If the application is approved and accepted after 5 pm ET Monday-Friday, the borrower should receive their loan amount within two business days. Loans used for educational purposes have an additional three-business-day waiting period.

Borrowers can choose loan amounts ranging from $1,000 to $50,000 and repayment terms of 3 or 5 years, providing flexibility to suit their financial needs.

Note that some states may have state-specific minimum loan amounts.

Availability of online dashboard

Upstart’s online dashboard allows borrowers to manage their loan payments easily. Users may quickly modify and track payment schedules, change recurring payment amounts, and cancel scheduled payments as needed using the dashboard. This feature gives borrowers the freedom and control to adjust their loan repayment based on their financial situation.

Multiple or additional payments

Using the Upstart dashboard, borrowers can make additional one-time payments at no extra cost without affecting their scheduled monthly payments. Furthermore, there are no costs for making additional manual payments to pay off the loan.

The platform also provides payment schedule flexibility, allowing borrowers to choose their preferred payment frequency. For example, if you get paid twice a month, you can set up bi-monthly automatic recurring payments to match your income pattern, subject to specific requirements.

States Serviced by Upstart

The state’s serviced may change without prior notice; visit the lender’s website for up-to-date information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Most frequent questions and answers about personal loans from Upstart

Upstart is not a direct lender; instead, it is a loan marketplace that collaborates with banks to manage the loan application and approval process before connecting you with one of its partners who will fund the loan. They use technology to evaluate applications and recommend loan approval to their bank partners.

With Upstart, you can borrow up to $50,000, but the exact amount you are eligible for may depend on factors such as your creditworthiness and income.

Upstart personal loans are unsecured; thus, borrowers are not required to provide any collateral (like a car or house) to obtain the loan. Instead, Upstart assesses borrowers’ creditworthiness and ability to repay the loan based on their income, education, work experience, and credit history.

With Upstart, borrowers have the flexibility to use personal loans for a variety of purposes. These include debt consolidation, home improvements, weddings, education expenses, medical bills, and credit card consolidation. Upstart does not restrict the use of personal loans to specific purposes, allowing borrowers to use the funds as per their unique requirements.

No, Upstart only performs a soft credit inquiry, which has no negative influence on your credit score. Borrowers can use this option to search for loans and compare offers without fear of causing damage to their credit scores. If you accept a loan offer and continue the application process, Upstart partners may perform a hard credit inquiry that could impact your credit score.

Upstart charges an origination fee, which is deducted from the loan proceeds when the loan is disbursed. The fee ranges between 0% and 8% of the loan amount, depending on the borrower’s creditworthiness and other factors.