Read the local guide for your city, take a three-minute fit check, and compare offers in writing. Rules check your loan amount, credit range, income and payments twice, in your browser and on our server. Requests that fit are saved, and sent to a lending partner only after our agreements are finished.
On this page
- Four steps
- What happens to requests that do not fit
- Why we say how we are paid
- The Carolina version of the process
- What to expect after you submit
- Examples of common outcomes
- What we never do
- Behind the scenes, in plain terms
- What we do with a request that fits
- What we do with a request that does not fit
- Three myths about matching services
- Why you might still skip the form
- Questions to ask yourself before you apply
- Frequently asked questions
Four steps
1. Read the local guide. City, metro and county pages give you Census numbers and the borrowing situations common in your area, so you know what questions to bring to a lender.
2. Take the fit check. Eight short question groups: purpose, amount, ZIP, credit range, bankruptcy and past-due status, work situation, income range and monthly payments. We never ask for a Social Security number or bank login.
3. We screen with plain rules. Your browser checks instantly, and our server checks again. The screen looks at the loan amount, credit range, income from any lawful source, recent bankruptcy or serious delinquency, and whether total debt payments leave room for a new payment.
4. Matching happens when we open. We are finishing lending partner agreements. Requests that fit are saved and sent to a partner only after that work is complete. We will email you before that happens.
What happens to requests that do not fit
You see a short message and a page of free options. We keep only anonymous totals, such as a reason category and a state, and not your name, email or phone.
Why we say how we are paid
Partners may pay us when you are matched or take a loan. That is an incentive, and you should know about it. See the disclosures.
The Carolina version of the process
Because this site focuses on North Carolina and South Carolina, the first thing the form asks is your state and ZIP. That is not to exclude anyone; it is because lending partners are licensed by state and need to know where you live. After that, the form asks for the loan purpose and amount, your credit range, housing status, income and monthly debts. We use only these answers. The result appears in your browser in a few seconds and the same rules run again when you submit.
What to expect after you submit
If you fit, we save your request and tell you that matching is not yet switched on, and that we will email you before any lender sees it. If you do not fit, we do not store your name, email or phone. In both cases we show links to free options.
Examples of common outcomes
| Situation | Likely result | What helps |
|---|---|---|
| Steady income, moderate debts | Fits | Gather documents |
| High debts compared with income | Not yet | Reduce debts or ask for less |
| Very small amount | Not a fit for our partners | Credit union, savings |
| Credit range far below guidelines | Not yet | Build credit, free counseling |
What we never do
We never ask for a Social Security number, a bank login or a fee. We never promise an approval. We never sell your information to unrelated advertisers.
Behind the scenes, in plain terms
The fit check is a short set of rules. Each rule compares one answer with a range. For example, a rule checks whether your monthly debts compared with your income fall within a range a lending partner has said it can work with. Another checks whether the amount you want is in the range partners offer. There is no hidden score and we do not look up your credit. The rules are public in the sense that you can see which answer caused a result.
What we do with a request that fits
We save it, with the date, the exact wording you saw and a record of consent choices. Matching with lending partners is not switched on yet; we say so on the page and in the confirmation. When it is, we will email you before any lender sees your request, so you can say no.
What we do with a request that does not fit
We tell you which answer was the issue and suggest what to change. We do not save your name, email or phone number. We link to free options, including nonprofit credit counseling and credit unions.
Three myths about matching services
| Myth | Reality |
|---|---|
| A matching service can get anyone approved | Lenders decide, and we cannot change their decision |
| Using a matching service hurts your credit | Our fit check does not pull your credit |
| You must pay to be matched | You never pay us |
Why you might still skip the form
If you already have a quote from a credit union, you may not need a match. Use our guides, calculators and checklist to compare it with at least two other offers, and use the form only if you want more options.
Questions to ask yourself before you apply
Do I need the money, or can I wait? Have I compared options? Could I handle the payment in a lean month?
Frequently asked questions
When will matching start?
As soon as partner agreements are complete. We will email you before any lender sees your request.
What if I move out of the Carolinas?
The fit check works for NC and SC residents. Our guides are free to read from anywhere.
Do you charge a fee?
No.
Can I use the calculators without the form?
Yes.
Is my information shared right away?
No. Matching is not switched on yet. We will email you before any lender sees your request.
Can I delete my request?
Yes. Email the address on the contact page.
Is the check different for different people?
No. Everyone is screened on the same objective answers.
What if I make a mistake?
Go back and change an answer before submitting, or email us.
Is there a minimum amount?
Partner guidelines set ranges. The form tells you if yours is outside them.