Payday Loans In Carolina

Payday loans are a quick way to sort out financial emergencies for individuals with low credit and little to no amount in their bank balance. Currently, there are 37 states in the USA where a payday loans are legal, and South Carolina is one of them.
You’re protected and regulated by the South Carolina payday loan laws against exploitation from exorbitant interests and rollovers that can land you in a debt cycle. In this guide, we detail the laws, terms, and rates of getting a payday loan in the state and how you can apply for one regardless of the type.
Rates and Terms of Payday Loans In Carolina
To keep issuers regulated and residents from exploitation, the state of South Carolina, under The Deferred Presentment Services Act, has set rates, limits, and terms for payday loans. The most popular of the terms is that a resident cannot borrow more than $550 over a term of 31 days.
Also, for a $100 loan and below, the state mandates an APR of 0% for a period of 14 days. A full scope of the rates and terms of the Carolina payday loans is given in the table below.
Minimum amount loanable | Unspecified |
Maximum amount loanable | $550 |
Minimum period allowed | N/A |
Maximum period allowed | 31 days |
Installment payment | Allowed |
Rollovers | None |
Outstanding number of loans permitted | One |
Maximum interest rate (APR) | 391% on a loan of 14 days |
Finance charges | 15% of the amount borrowed |
Tracking by database | Allowed |
Collection charges | Non-sufficient funds fee of $30 |
Statute of limitations | 3 years |
Criminal action | Unallowed |
Are Payday Loans Legal In Carolina?
Payday Loans were made legal in South Carolina in the early 2000s, undergoing regulations in 2006, 2009, 2010, and 2016. This legality does not extend to North Carolina, where these loans are completely outlawed and could lead to jail time for anyone caught engaging in the act.
In the southern counterpart, the practice is fully addressed in the South Carolina Code of Laws, Title 34, Chapter 39. This is otherwise known as the Deferred Presentment Services Act.
Although the law strictly regulates this loaning service, some lenders have created loopholes for their own gains. Hence, you should watch out for “supervised” lenders that do not adhere to set payday regulations. These lenders have control over how they set their interests, loan periods, and rollovers.

Types Of Loans In Carolina
If you’re thinking of submitting an application for a loan in Carolina, you should know the types you can get. These include loans for your businesses, personal use, residential use, and cash advances.
In the headings below, we’ll highlight the most suitable persons for the different types, how credit score may affect your viability, and the pros and cons attached to each. So, before you think of using Payday services, the various loan types listed below will help you decide whether you should be looking at better alternatives.
Business Loans
If you have a small business in the USA, you can get proper funding to run as capital, purchase machinery, or grow the company from several channels. Firstly, you have government-backed SBA loans that are generally risk-free and have a repayment plan that could last for decades, depending on the amount borrowed.
You could also get from traditional banks, credit unions, or online lenders. People best suited for this service are individuals with excellent personal or business credit, substantial annual revenue, and strong business plans.
Pros:
- Low-interest rates.
- Long-repayment periods.
- Nonrestrictive use of funds.
Cons:
- Time-consuming application process.
- Strong FICO profile required.
- Extensive documentation is required.
Personal Loans
A personal loan is offered by several financial institutions, from credit unions to traditional banks. The terms and conditions that apply to this service vary by the lender. Some require you to have an excellent FICO score, while others will especially lend you money for a poor score.
However, from observation, the better your creditworthiness, the more you stand a chance of getting a substantial loan from any lender. This personal type is best for individuals who want to buy/build a house, buy a car, invest, pay children’s college fees, etc.
Pros:
- Considerable interest rates.
- Flexibility in use of funds.
- Skips the need for a collateral.
Cons
- May need a strong FICO profile.
- May come with stringent penalties for defaults.
Home Loans
This is also known as a mortgage, and it’s best for individuals who have found a home they want to own. Different channels give mortgage, such as online lenders, traditional banks, and unions. A mortgage is considered a good debt as regular payment will help you build your FICO score and improve your creditworthiness for any other loan you intend to apply for.
However, qualifications for a mortgage can be pretty high in aspects such as your income, assets, the type of property, debt-to-income ratio, and FICO score.
Pros:
- Low interests.
- Long repayment period.
- Good avenue to build your FICO score.
Cons:
- There’s a risk rates can change over time.
Cash Advances
A payday loan falls under this category because you’d be borrowing cash against your credit limit. They’re only advised to persons with poor credit with financial emergencies. You can get a cash advance from your card issuer, bank, or an online lender.
They’re quite expensive to get, with interests going as high as 391%, depending on the issuer and period of repayment. This typically does not exceed 31 days, which is why they call it a “payday” loan. The downsides of a cash advance always outweigh the benefits, as shown below.
Pros:
- Quick way to sort out funding emergencies.
Cons:
- Expensive rates.
- Short repayment period.
- Could lead to a debt cycle.

How To Get Payday Loans In Carolina
Virtually anyone can get a payday loan from licensed issuers in Carolina physically via online or in-store merchants. There are over a dozen established vendors, from Enova International, Inc to CNG Financial Corporation. These are the steps involved in getting a loan from these vendors in Carolina.
- Visit a payday store online or physically and fill out the loan form.
- You’ll need to fill out your personal information, such as name, address, phone number, active email, government-issued ID, and social security number or a taxpayer identification number.
- Then, you’ll fill out income information, including your job, salary, and proof of bank account.
- Read the terms and conditions that apply and sign the form if you agree with them.
- Collect the loan from the Payday vendor and keep to terms.
- Pay them back on your next payday with the agreed fee, and you should be valid for a new one if required.
It’s important to note that before you can apply for a loan from any of these Payday merchants, you must be 18 or above to qualify for one.
Conclusion
This guide is all you need to navigate the payday scene in this state. It’s fast and easy to apply for one, but you must be wary of the high APRs that each merchant can demand. To ensure you’re not stuck in a debt cycle, only apply for a payday loan from an issuer that does not allow rollovers.
Bear in mind that you should only pick a payday service strictly when it’s an emergency, and you have no other alternative to explore. Above all, you should not hesitate to report to the appropriate authorities in the state if a payday merchant operates out of the set regulations to exploit you.
FAQs
Are payday loans expensive in Carolina?
Yes, a loan from a Payday merchant in this state can have an APR of up to 391% over 14 days. You’d be giving way more in return than what you borrowed, which is why it should be your last resort in times of emergencies.
Can I get a payday loan in Carolina fast?
Yes, you can get this loan quickly as a resident of the state. There are online and physical stores that you can easily contact, provide the required documents, and get the funding within 24 hours. Online stores are a bit faster than the physical vendors, where all you need is a contactable phone for verification.
What credit score do I need to get a payday loan in Carolina?
Several merchants in the state do not require a FICO score before you can get the loan. Simply present a valid means of identification, and you’ll qualify for the loan. This is because the merchants know people who need a payday loan are those with poor to no FICO scores.