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Short-term loans · $200–$1,500

Small bill.
Short loan.
Done by payday.

A FrontPay short-term loan covers a bill you'll clear from the next paycheck or two: $200 to $1,500, repaid in 14 to 90 days, or split into 3 to 6 payments where your state allows. The full cost is printed before you sign and there is no rollover.

Check your rate What it costs

A Tuesday, start to finish.

What the timeline looks like for most people who apply on a weekday morning. Sign after noon Central or on a weekend and funding moves to the next business day.

Amount, state, income, the account your money should land in. About three minutes, no documents for most people.

A soft inquiry that doesn't touch your score. Lenders look at income and bank history, not a number.

Amount, finance charge, APR, due date (or the 3–6 payment dates), in one box. Decline it and nothing is reported.

Direct deposit to your checking account. Same day with some lenders if you sign before noon Central.

Times are typical, not promised. Bank posting times vary. Same-day loans explained · How it works

What $500 for 30 days costs, by option.

Short-term money is the most expensive loan we offer per dollar, and we'd rather you see that here than on the contract. Figures are typical finance charges for 30 days, from published schedules in October 2026.

The honest line: if a credit union will give you a Payday Alternative Loan, or the biller will take a payment plan, take that first. A short-term loan is for when those aren't on the table and the alternative is a bounced payment or a shutoff.
Credit union Payday Alternative Loan28% APR cap, members only, 1–6 months
$6–$12
Cash advance app$0–$14.99 membership + express fee; most cap at $100–$500
$8–$18
FrontPay short-term loanFull cost on the offer, no rollover, licensed lender
$35–$75
Credit card cash advance3–5% fee + ~29% APR from day one
~$27
Storefront payday loan, renewed twice$15 per $100 per cycle; most borrowers renew
$225

Four sizes.

Terms stretch with the amount so the payment stays realistic. Your state sets the ceiling; check yours.

Gap to payday$200–$40014–30 days · one payment

A shortfall before Friday. If it's under $100, a cash advance app is cheaper.

Most common$500–$80030–60 days · 2–3 payments

A utility bill, a brake job, a vet visit. Emergency loans

Bigger one-off$1,00060–90 days · 3–4 payments

Rent top-up, a deposit, a flight home. Consider an installment loan if you want 6+ months.

Ceiling$1,50090 days · up to 6 payments

The most a short-term loan runs to. Above this, installment terms are cheaper and calmer.

Use it for this.
Not for that.

A short-term loan makes sense when

  • The money is coming: a paycheck, a tax refund, an invoice that's late
  • The cost of waiting is higher than the loan: a reconnect fee, a towed car, a returned-payment charge
  • You've already asked the biller for time and been told no
  • You can see the due date on your calendar and the money that will be there

Don't take one when

  • You'd be using it to pay another short-term loan. That's the cycle. Call the first lender instead
  • The bill is over $1,500 or you need more than three months: an installment loan costs less
  • You're not sure the money will be there on the date. Decline, nothing is reported
  • Someone is promising "guaranteed approval" or asking for a fee up front. That's a scam

Short-term loan questions

Straight answers. More in the full FAQ.

How fast is a short-term loan funded?
Most approved requests are funded by direct deposit the next business day. Some lenders fund the same day when you sign before noon Central. Weekends and bank holidays add a day. Same-day loans
How much does a short-term loan cost?
More per dollar than an installment loan, because the term is short. On $500 over 30 days expect roughly $35–$75 in finance charges depending on your state and lender; the exact figure is on your offer. A payday store charges $50–$150 for the same money, and renewing it is where the real cost hides.
Is this a payday loan?
It is the regulated cousin of one: a small loan due in 14 to 90 days from a state-licensed lender. The differences that matter are that the full cost is shown before you sign, there's no rollover trap built in, and in most states you can choose 3 to 6 smaller payments instead of one lump.
Can I get one with bad credit?
Yes. Approval rests on income and bank history, not a score. There is no minimum credit score to apply. Bad credit loans
What if I can't repay on the due date?
Talk to the lender before the date. Every lender in our network signs a responsible lending pledge that includes a hardship option. Don't take a second short-term loan to pay the first; that's the cycle this product can start, and an installment loan is the better way out.
Do short-term loans build credit?
Rarely. Most short-term lenders don't report to the bureaus. If building credit matters, an installment loan is reported by most of our lenders.

Keep reading.

Same-day loansWho funds same day and the cutoff timesPayday loan alternativesCheaper ways to cover a gapInstallment loans$500–$5,000 over 3–24 monthsRequirementsWhat you need and what you don't
$200–$5,000Soft check · $0 to apply
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