Is it hard to get approved for a Navy Federal loan?

Navy Federal Credit Union offers a wide range of personal loan amounts and numerous repayment terms to choose from, making it a flexible option for borrowers. Personal loans are available only to existing Navy Federal members, which include military members and their families.

To be eligible for membership at Navy Federal, you must be one of the following:

• Active duty, retired or a veteran in any branch of the military.

• Immediate family or a household member of a service member.

• Department of Defense employee, contractor or retiree.

Navy Federal is best for borrowers who:

• Are Navy Federal members.

• Want to fund a home improvement project.

• Are planning to add someone to their loan application or secure the loan.

Navy Federal at a glance

Key terms to know about personal loans

Annual percentage rate is the interest rate on your loan plus all fees, calculated on an annual basis and expressed as a percentage. Use the APR to compare loan costs from multiple lenders.

An origination fee is a one-time, upfront fee that some lenders charge for processing a loan. The fee can range from 1% to 10% of the loan amount, and lenders typically deduct it from your loan proceeds.

The debt-to-income ratio divides your total monthly debt payments by your gross monthly income, giving you a percentage. Lenders use DTI — along with credit history and other factors — to evaluate a borrower's financial ability to repay a loan.

Lenders that offer pre-qualification typically do so using a soft credit check, which allows you to see rates and terms you qualify for without affecting your credit score. If you accept the loan offer, the lender will perform a hard check to confirm your information. Hard checks knock a few points off your credit score.

Where Navy Federal stands out

Wide range of loan amounts: Borrowers can choose loan amounts from $250 to $50,000 when applying for a personal loan at Navy Federal. This is an especially wide range among lenders and could make the loan a fit for a small expense like an emergency repair or something larger like a home improvement project.

Term availability: For most loans, repayment terms range from one to five years, but borrowers funding a home improvement project have more choices. With a $25,000 minimum loan amount, you could qualify for a term from five to seven years. With a $30,000 minimum, you could qualify for a term up to 15 years.

Co-signed, joint and secured loans: Members can add a co-signer or co-borrower to their application. Adding someone with better credit or higher income can help your chances of getting a lower rate or a higher loan amount. While both co-signers and co-borrowers are responsible for missed payments, co-signers do not have access to the funds.

Borrowers can also secure their loan with a Navy Federal savings account or CD, which could help you qualify for a lower rate. Depending on the account you choose, your APR would be your share (savings) rate or certificate rate, plus 2% to 3%.

24/7 customer service: Members have access to 24/7 phone support. Borrowers can also contact Navy Federal through online messaging, chat and social media. Though most lenders offer extended business hours or weekend availability, few offer 24/7 customer service support.

Where Navy Federal falls short

No option to pre-qualify: Navy Federal does not offer the option to pre-qualify for its loan. Though this is not unusual among credit unions and banks, many online lenders let you check your rates before applying. Pre-qualifying with multiple lenders allows you to compare potential loan offers without affecting your credit score.

No rate discount for autopay: The lender does not offer a rate discount for borrowers who set up automatic payments on their personal loan. According to the lender, it does offer an APR discount of 0.25 percentage points for active duty and retired military who have direct deposit. You must apply at a Navy Federal branch or by phone to qualify for the discount.

No option to change payment due date: Navy Federal does not let borrowers choose their payment date before signing the loan agreement or make changes to the date after signing. It is common for a lender to let you do one or the other, and some even allow both. Payment flexibility is helpful for borrowers if their payday or monthly obligations change over the life of the loan.

How to qualify for a Navy Federal loan

Navy Federal does not publicly disclose many of its borrower requirements. According to the lender, there is no minimum credit score. Here’s what you need for your application:

• Desired loan amount and term.

• Current employment details and income.

• Contact information, including phone number and email address.

• Personal details of your co-applicant or co-borrower, if applicable.

Loan example: A three-year, $15,000 loan with a 15.5% APR would cost $524 in monthly payments. You’d pay $3,852 in total interest on that loan.

How to get a Navy Federal loan

Apply on Navy Federal

To apply for a Navy Federal loan, you need to be a member. Members can apply online, by phone, at a branch or through the lender’s mobile app.

Pre-qualify on NerdWallet

NerdWallet recommends comparing loans to find the best rate for you. Select "Check rates on NerdWallet" below to pre-qualify. You may receive personalized rates from multiple lenders that partner with us. Pre-qualifying will not impact your credit score.

Is it easy to get a loan at Navy Federal?

Is it hard to get a Navy Federal personal loan?

What credit score do you need for a Navy Federal personal loan?

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