Whether you’ve been a single mom since day one or are in the process of becoming a solo parent, raising a child on your own can be expensive. Housing, essentials, and extracurriculars add up. Add in unplanned days off for childcare, major expenses like dental work and medical insurance, or expenses like legal bills during a separation, and you may find yourself with your finances stretched thinner than you’d like.
One option to consider is a personal loan. This type of loan provides a lump sum of money up front you then pay back (plus interest) in monthly installments over time. You can use the funds from a personal loan for virtually any purpose, whether it’s making a large purchase, covering living expenses, or paying down other, higher-interest debt.
Read on for a closer look at personal loans for single moms, including their pros and cons, how to qualify, plus other funding options you may want to explore.
Why Might a Single Mom Need a Personal Loan?
There are many reasons why a single mother — or any parent — might consider applying for a personal loan. These include:
1. Consolidating debt
2. Covering the cost a move
3. Paying tuition or extracurricular expenses for children
4. Stopgap during times of unemployment
5. Covering housing costs, such as rent or a mortgage
6. Paying for a home remodeling project
7. Buying a car
8. Purchasing major appliances
Recommended: What Is a Personal Loan? How Do Personal Loans Work?
Are Personal Loans for Single Mothers Special?
In a word, no. The process of applying for a personal loan is the same for everyone. However, there may be particular approval hurdles to overcome as a single parent.
One is income. If you’re newly single, you may not have a steady income, which can make it more difficult to get approved for a personal loan. Another is your credit. If you’ve had to rely on credit cards to cover the cost of divorce or the transition to single parenting, your credit may not be what it used to be. The amount of debt you owe on your credit cards is one of the biggest factors affecting your credit score.
However, these obstacles aren’t insurmountable (more on that below).
Benefits and Risks of Personal Loans for a Single Mother
A personal loan can offer a single mom a valuable lifeline to meet immediate needs, such as unexpected expenses, education costs, or debt consolidation. However, taking on any type of debt generally comes with costs, as well as risks. Here’s a look at the pros and cons of getting a loan as a single mom.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Flexibility in fund usage | Interest and fees add to your costs |
| Quick access to funds | Risk of overborrowing |
| Fixed repayment schedule | Missed or late payments can negatively impact your credit |
| Interest rates are typically lower than credit cards | Can add to your debt burden |
Pros of Personal Loans for Single Mothers
• Flexibility Personal loans provide flexibility in how you can use the borrowed funds. Whether it’s covering medical bills, home repairs, or summer camp tuition, personal loans can be used for a wide range of purposes.
• Quick access to funds Personal loans often come with a streamlined application process and relatively quick approval. You may be able to access the funds quickly, enabling you to address urgent financial needs promptly.
• Fixed repayment schedule Personal loans usually come with fixed monthly payments over a specified term. This predictability can make it easier for you to budget and plan your finances effectively.
• Potential for lower interest rates Depending on the borrower’s creditworthiness, personal loans can offer competitive interest rates compared to other types of borrowing, such as credit cards or payday loans. Single mothers with a good credit history may benefit from more affordable repayment terms.
Cons of Personal Loans for Single Mothers
• Interest and fees On top of interest, some lenders charge fees for personal loans, which increase the overall cost of borrowing. It’s important to carefully evaluate the terms and conditions to make sure you can comfortably manage the repayments without straining your budget.
• Risk of overborrowing As a single mom, you likely want to avoid overborrowing or taking on more debt than they can reasonably repay. Overcommitting to loan payments may lead to a cycle of financial stress and difficulty in meeting other essential expenses.
• Impact on credit score Taking out a personal loan creates a new line of credit, and if not managed properly, it could negatively affect your credit profile. Late or missed payments can damage creditworthiness, potentially impacting future borrowing opportunities.
• Debt burden A personal loan will add to your existing financial obligations as a single mother. Before opting for a loan, you’ll want to be certain to assess the long-term implications and consider whether the loan repayments align with your income and financial goals.
Is Getting a Personal Loan With No Income Possible?
If you’re a single mother with no job or you’ve been a stay-at-home-mother with little or no income of your own, it may be difficult, though not impossible, to qualify for a personal loan.
Lenders typically want to see proof of a regular income. However, that does not necessarily have to be job-related income. You may be able to count these other sources of income:
• Unemployment
• Alimony
• Child support
• Investment income
• Rental income
• Pension or annuity income
• Freelance work
• Gig work
If you don’t have much income to speak of, then you might consider a cosigner or co-applicant for your loan. This a person who agrees to make the loan payments if the main borrower cannot or does not. For some borrowers, family members have the financial flexibility to cosign on a loan, but it can be a good idea to have a conversation about expectations and potential hypotheticals if you were no longer able to pay back the loan.
Another option is to secure a personal loan with collateral. This is an asset of value, such as a vehicle or money in a savings account, you use to back the loan in case you default. Should you become unable to repay the loan, the lender can seize your collateral to recover their losses. This lowers risk for the lender, making steady income (or less-than-stellar credit) less critical.
Also keep in mind that if you have no income but excellent credit, you may still find a lender who is willing to offer you an unsecured personal loan.
You’ll also want to be wary, however, of lenders who advertise “No-Income Loans,” as these loans may come with sky-high interest rates, short repayment terms, and low loan amounts.
Alternatives to Personal Loans for Single Mothers
There are other alternatives to personal loans, depending on your financial circumstances and your needs. Here are some you might consider.
Home Loans for Single Mothers
If you own your home, using your home as a financial asset may be one way to borrow funds at a reasonable cost. If you have built up equity in your home, you may be able to tap that equity by getting a home equity loan or a home equity line of credit (HELOC). Just keep in mind that the loan is backed by your home. Should you have difficulty repaying the loan or credit line, you could potentially lose your home.
Government Resources for Single Parents
If your income is low, you may be eligible for one or more government assistance programs. Some options you may want to explore include:
• Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
• National School Lunch Program
• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
• Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
• The Emergency Food Assistance Program
You can find more resources at enefits.gov.
Educational Aid for Single Mothers
If you’re considering going back to school, below are some programs that can help make it more affordable (or even free):
• Pell Grants
• Teach Grants
• Women’s Independence Scholarship Program (WISP)
There also may be private scholarships and grants for single parents available from the institutions you’re interested in. Speaking with the financial aid office may help you see the breadth of options available to you.
Other Financial Help For Single Mothers
Becoming a single mother, either by choice or circumstance, can feel overwhelming. But there is support out there. It can help to talk to other single parents in your community — you may be surprised by all the resources that are available. Other opportunities may include:
• Financial aid or tuition assistance If your children are in private school or extracurricular programs, there may be financial aid available to help lower the cost. Even if there’s not a formal program, it can’t hurt to explain your situation and ask what may be available.
• Employer-based programs Your human resources department may have certain programs, such as childcare coverage, free legal consultations, and access to financial planning and debt counseling, for eligible workers. Talk to your HR representative or look through their materials to assess what’s available.
• Family and friends People close to you may be willing to provide support, or there may be creative ways to trade services, such as babysitting, to get more financial help. If a friend or family member offers to loan you money, it can be helpful to put an agreement in writing, including any interest you will pay and the terms of repayment, so there is no confusion that can cause a rift in your relationship.
Recommended: Options for When You Can’t Afford Your Child’s College
The Takeaway
As a single mother, there are avenues that can help you manage your finances and achieve your financial goals, including taking out a personal loan. This type of financing can provide financial relief and flexibility, but it is important to weigh the pros and cons, compare options from different lenders, and assess your ability to manage repayments responsibly.
Think twice before turning to high-interest credit cards. Consider a SoFi personal loan instead. SoFi offers competitive fixed rates and same-day funding. Checking your rate takes just a minute.
SoFi’s Personal Loan was named NerdWallet’s 2023 winner for Best Online Personal Loan overall.
Photo credit: iStock/RyanJLane
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