Debt Consolidation Loans | Earnest
Debt Consolidation Loans
You could lower your rate and pay less interest on credit card debt. Plus, eligible borrowers can skip a payment annually with zero penalty fees.
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Debt consolidation loans from $3,000—$50,000
You could pay off high-interest credit card debt faster with these exclusive benefits:
No fees required: no prepayment, late, or mandatory origination fees
Rate Drop Reward: lower your rate by up to 0.75% as you pay off your loan
Skip 1 payment a year: no penalty fees, just breathing room
Get your funds in as little as 24 hours: no waiting
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What is a debt consolidation loan?
A debt consolidation loan is a personal loan that a borrower uses to consolidate multiple high-interest debts—like credit cards, store cards, or medical bills—into a single loan with one fixed monthly payment.
Instead of juggling multiple due dates and interest rates, a debt consolidation loan can simplify your repayment plan and may help you save money on interest over time.
Consolidation involves taking out a new loan from a new lender and using those funds to pay off other debts. You then repay the new loan amount via monthly payments.
You’ll typically need a good to excellent credit score—at least 650 to 700—to qualify for the lowest rates on most debt consolidation loans.
But eligibility requirements vary by lender, and you don’t need perfect credit to benefit. Even if you don’t qualify for the lowest rates, you could still save money if your new loan’s interest rate is lower than what you’re currently paying on your credit cards.
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Rate Drop Rewards: Only with Earnest
You could lower your interest rate by up to 0.75% as you pay down your loan on time each month. Say you start with a 10% fixed interest rate—you could qualify for a rate as low as 9.25% once you've paid off 75% of your loan. The result? You'll pay less interest overall.
It's our way of rewarding responsible repayment, not just collecting payments.
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Is a debt consolidation loan right for you?
Consolidating debt can help if:
- You’re managing multiple monthly payments with varying due dates and rates
- Your credit has improved since you took on your original debt
- You want a clear timeline for becoming debt-free
- You're focused on paying off—not just managing—your balance
A debt consolidation loan isn’t a quick fix, but it can be a smart step toward financial clarity when paired with a payoff strategy.
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You could save thousands in interest with an Earnest Personal Loan
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† Average credit card annual percentage rates (APR) are accurate as of the Federal Reserve G.19 release on 04/07/2026 (reflecting data from February 2026). Source: https://www.federalreserve.gov/releases/g19/current/
‡ Example chart reflects a 7-year Earnest Personal Loan with a fixed rate of 14% APR (the mid-range of rates as of April 2026). Earnest Personal Loans are subject to credit approval; available rates are subject to change and exclude any discounts. The 'High-Interest Rate Credit Card' APR of 21.52% is the average rate reported for February 2026. Savings estimates assume you make all payments on time as scheduled for 84 months, without taking on additional credit card debt. The calculation also assumes no origination fees or early prepayments.
How it works
Check your rate in minutes
See your pre-qualified rate with zero credit score impact
Submit your application
Submit in minutes, with only 3 simple steps
Customize your loan
Choose from up to 72 payment options
Smart tips for debt consolidation
- Make a list of the debts you want to consolidate, including interest rates and balances
- Don’t take on new revolving debt while repaying your loan
- Automate payments so you stay on track
- Consider using Earnest’s free Payoff Path tool to visualize your path forward
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Help Is Here
We’re one phone call away
Client Happiness is at the heart of Earnest. Our in-house team of experts can help you apply over the phone and answer any questions.
Reach out via email and web chat; if you prefer to speak to a person, call between 6:00 am - 4:00 pm PT, Monday - Friday, excluding holidays, at (888) 744-0767.
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FAQs about debt consolidation loans
Can I use a personal loan to pay off credit card debt?
Will a debt consolidation loan hurt my credit?
Is a lower interest rate guaranteed?
How does the personal loan process work?
What kind of debt can I consolidate?
From the Earnest Blog
Tips and tools to help you reach your goals
What Is Debt Consolidation and Should I Consolidate My Personal Debt? 5 min read
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Should You Use a Personal Loan for Credit Card Refinancing? 17 min read
1 Earnest clients may skip a payment through a single, one-month deferment during a 12-month period. Your first request to skip a payment can be made once you’ve made at least 6 months of consecutive on-time full principal and interest payments, and your loan is in good standing. The interest accrued during the skipped month will result in an increase in your remaining minimum payment. The final payoff date on your loan will be extended by the length of the skipped payment periods.
2 You may qualify for a lower interest rate by electing to pay an optional origination fee that is equal to 1-8% of your total loan amount. The fee is deducted from your loan proceeds at disbursement. This fee is not required and it will not impact your loan approval.
3 You may be eligible for up to a 0.75% interest rate reduction, earned in 0.25% increments, by meeting the following milestones:
- 25% of your loan principal is repaid and you make at least 12 consecutive on-time monthly payments
- 50% of your loan principal is repaid and you make an additional 12 consecutive on-time monthly payments since the prior rate reduction
- 75% of your loan principal is repaid and you make an additional 12 consecutive on-time monthly payments since the prior rate reduction
Rate reductions are applied automatically once earned. Lump-sum payments cannot accelerate the timing of discounts.
4 24 hour funding is not guaranteed and is subject to the availability of funds which includes but is not limited to the time of loan approval, verification requirements, and bank processing times.
5 The full range of loan terms vary by state. Representative example of repayment terms for an unsecured personal loan: For $12,000 borrowed over 36 months at 11.99% APR, the monthly payment is $399. This example is an estimate only and assumes all payments are made on time. The actual rate and payment amount may vary and is determined by the product, term, loan amount and your credit qualifications.
6 Not everyone will qualify for these repayment terms. Example includes all discounts including our optional origination fee.
7 Payoff Path is offered by Earnest, and earning or applying benefits (if any) depends on eligibility, your financial profile, and applicable policies. Terms and conditions apply; see Earnest’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy for full details. Offers, features, and availability are subject to change without notice.