Achieve Personal Loans: 2024 Review

Achieve is best for borrowers with fair credit who want to consolidate debt 

Achieve has one of the lowest minimum credit score requirements available. Plus, it offers joint loans, which can help borrowers with bad or fair credit qualify and potentially receive a lower rate. 

These factors alongside Achieve's multiple rate discounts can make its loans more affordable and accessible for fair-credit borrowers who might not qualify for other consolidation products, like 0 percent APR balance transfer cards.

Achieve personal loan purposes

Achieve doesn’t disclose usage limitations for personal loans. However, its website does state that its loans are commonly used to:

• Consolidate debt.
• Refinance high credit card balances.
• Finance big-ticket purchases.
• Cover home improvement expenses.
• Pay for medical and moving expenses.
• Fund vacations.

Where Achieve personal loans stand out 

• Multiple rate discounts: People may be eligible for a co-borrower discount, retirement savings discount or debt consolidation discount. Each has a number of requirements to qualify, but are fairly accessible.
• Pay your creditors directly: You can skip the hassle of receiving the funds only to immediately send them back out to other creditors by having Achieve pay them directly.
• Joint loans: Unlike some online lenders, Achieve allows you to add a co-borrower to your loan, which may increase the likelihood of you being approved — and getting a better rate. 

Do you qualify for an Achieve personal loan?

Achieve doesn't disclose every detail required for approval, but it does state that borrowers must have a credit score of at least 620 and live in a qualifying U.S state. If you prequalify and would like to move forward with the application process, you may be asked to provide the following details:

• Proof of income.
• Social Security number. 
• Proof of identity.
• Employment status.

How to apply for a personal loan with Achieve 

Achieve's application process is a little different from most online lenders. You'll get a quote as normal, but to finalize your application you'll work with a personal loan consultant.

1. Get a quote: You can prequalify online through the Achieve website or by calling a loan consultant. To start the process, enter your loan amount and purpose and then your state to check if the lender operates where you live. If it does, you’ll need to provide your name, employment status, income level, address and date of birth to prequalify.
2. Add information and finalize your application: If you prequalify, you’ll be given a phone number so you can speak with a loan consultant to complete the application process, which will require a hard credit check. Achieve also notes that you can complete this process over email.
3. Review the loan details: If you’re approved, you’ll need to provide a valid ID, income and bank account verification and sign the loan contract to complete the process. Funds will then be sent to you or directly to your creditors.

Methodology

Bankrate considers 20 factors when reviewing lenders. Credit requirements, APR ranges, fees, loan amounts and flexibility are all taken into account so that ratings are representative of how competitive lenders are for a wide range of credit profiles and budgets. The Bankrate Score for personal loans consists of four categories:

• Availability: What the minimum loan amounts are, its eligibility requirements and loan turnaround are considered in this category.
• Affordability: The interest rates, penalties and fees are measured in this section of the score. Lower rates and fees and fewer potential penalties result in a higher score.
• Customer experience: This category covers customer service hours, if online applications are available, online account access and mobile apps.
• Transparency: This category is measured by how accessible credit requirements, rates and fees are on the lender's page. We also considered whether prequalification was available, as all these factors are key for consumers to make an informed decision.

Editorial disclosure: All reviews are prepared by Bankrate.com staff. Opinions expressed therein are solely those of the reviewer and have not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. The information, including rates and fees, presented in the review is accurate as of the date of the review. Check the data at the top of this page and the lender’s website for the most current information.