​Online Payday Loans In South Carolina

If you have an unexpected expense between paychecks, an online payday loan may seem like a fast fix. If you live in South Carolina, there are a number of online lenders offering access to short-term cash advances, but it’s important to understand loan and state regulations before you apply. 

In this post, we’ll talk about what online payday loans are available in South Carolina, what they charge, regulations that impact you, and alternatives that may be a better option. 

South Carolina Payday Loan Regulations 

Payday loans are legal in South Carolina, but there are regulations that shape what you can borrow and how:

• The maximum loan amount is $550.

• Rollovers are not allowed.

• The maximum interest rate is 391% APR 

• The maximum finance charges payday lenders can add to your loan are 15% of the amount advanced. 

• The maximum loan term is 31 days. 

This means that you can only borrow up to $550 if approved for that amount, you must pay it back within 31 days, and the interest rates and fees can add up quickly. As a result, it’s imperative to make sure you understand your loan’s terms before accepting, and it’s often a good idea to consider other options first.

4 Online Payday Loan Lenders in South Carolina

Here are four lenders that offer true payday loans, with the applications either fully or partially available online. 

1. 1F Cash Advance  

1F Cash Advance operates in multiple states, including South Carolina. They have a fully online application process, transparent conditions and same-day funding upon approval if you finalize your loan before 10:30 AM ET on a business day. 

They share total repayment numbers clearly on their website for 14-day loans, with your total repayment for a $200 loan being $230, and your total repayment on a $550 loan being $632.30

• Borrowable amount: $550 

• Fees: Finance charges range from $30 to $82.50, and there’s an APR of 391.07% on all loans. There are also late payment fees of up to $10. 

2. Check Into Cash 

Check Into Cash serves the South Carolina region and has both an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and over 25 years of experience in the industry. You’ll need to be at least 21 to borrow funds (unlike many other lenders, which often require you to be 18 years of age or older), and will need proof of income. You can visit a location in-person or use their SpeedyCash online process.  

• Borrowable amount: $50 to $500 

• Fees: APR is 391.07%, with fees ranging from $7.50 on a $50 loan to $82.40 on a $550 loan. 

3. Max Cash 

Max Cash works a little differently than other lenders on this list, because they aren’t a direct lender; it’s a marketplace. You can apply online through their site, and based on your information, they’ll match you with a payday loan lender. You can fully apply online, but there are also in-person locations across South Carolina if you prefer. As a plus, MaxCash offers real human support, so you’ll get assistance if you need it. 

• Borrowable amount: Up to $550 per state regulations  

• Fees: Not disclosed online; will vary by lender 

4. Carolina Payday Loans 

Carolina Payday Loans offers payday loans with same-day approval options and no credit check. They’ve been offering payday loans for over three decades, and have a short online inquiry form to help speed up the process. While you can start the process online, however, you will need to visit an in-person location to finalize the loan and receive your funds. They currently have a location open in North Augusta. 

• Borrowable amount: Between $100 and $550  

• Fees: Not disclosed online 

4 Same-Day Line of Credit Lenders in South Carolina

South Carolina’s legislation has tightened rules so significantly that many “online payday” products are now structured differently. You may seem them use terms like “same-day lines of credit” or “installment loans.” 

Instead of single-payment payday loans, they may offer more flexible repayment terms, though some have much higher APR. However, they do offer same-day or fast short-term funding of smaller balances, so let’s look at four lenders to keep in mind. 

1. LeapCredit

Leap Credit offers short-term installment loans for South Carolina residents, which relatively quick approval and direct deposit into your bank account within a single business day after approval. The online application process is fast and secure, and they have a mobile app for easy repayment and balance review. While you can borrow more funds and the loan terms are longer, the APR here is much higher than payday loans. 

• Borrowable amount: $601 to $3,500

• Loan terms: 8 months, with prepayment available  

• Fees: APR range 546% to 795$; late fees 5% of payment due up to $18 

2. AdvanceAmerica

AdvanceAmerica offers lines of credit, which isn't a single “get funds once and pay it back” loan. Instead, your line of credit will remain open, so if you repay, you can borrow funds again as needed up to your approved limit. You can apply online or in-store, and pay either weekly or biweekly. Compared to other lenders on this list, the APR is competitive, which is worth noting. 

• Borrowable amount: $601 to $5,000 

• Loan terms: Revolving line of credit 

• Fees: APR of 149% 

3. Wise Loan 

Wise Loan offers installment loans, and can provide “instant access” to funds within 24 hours (or even as soon as 15 minutes with their instant funding option. You can pay off the loan early, which can help save on APR.

• Borrowable amount: $200 to $1,500 

• Fees:  Not disclosed online, but APR varies by loan term 

4. Jora C

Jora offers installment loans to South Carolina residents, with biweekly payments options. The minimum loan amount is $1,250, so it’s not an option for those who only need a few hundred dollars to cover a small emergency. That said, the lower end of their APR rate is extremely competitive if you qualify. 

• Borrowable amount: $1,250 to $4,000 

• Fees: 99-325% APR ; biweekly payments and longer loan terms 

Alternatives To Online Payday Loans In South Carolina

Before taking out a payday loan or a short-term installment loan — both of which can have exorbitantly high APRs— it’s worth considering several alternatives that may be both cheaper and less risky. These include:

• Credit union payday alternative loans (PALs): Many credit unions offer small-dollar loans specifically designed to compete with payday lenders. Interest rates are capped and repayment terms are typically more flexible.

• Earned wage access (EWA) services. Apps like MoneyLion allow you to access wages before you’ve been paid, often with low or no fees. This can be an easy way to get the funds you need quickly while you’re waiting for the next payday and can help you escape the predatory cycle of debt that comes with payday loans.

• Credit card cash advance: While not ideal, a credit card cash advance typically carries a much lower APR than a payday loan, especially if you can pay it off quickly. 

Sources

• South Carolina Payday Loan Law and Legislation. UStatesLoans.org