Adoption Loans

What are adoption loans?

An adoption loan is a financing option for people who want to adopt. It’s a personal loan that will be used to cover expenses concerning domestic, embryo, or international adoptions. Adoption loans are generally unsecured and don’t require any collateral, though there are also secured options.

Because of this, lenders tend to charge more interest than a home equity loan or auto loan. If borrowers choose to apply for a secured loan, they’re more likely to receive a better rate than if they choose an unsecured loan and don’t put up any collateral.

Lenders that offer adoption financing

LightStream

✔ Funding: Borrow $5,000 - $100,000
✔ Minimum Credit Score: 660
✔ APR: 2.49% - 19.99%
✔ Funding turnaround: as soon as same business day

LightStream offers up to $100K on personal loans as soon as same business day (the most out of most lenders!)

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Avant

✔ Funding: Borrow $2,000 - $35,000
✔ Minimum Credit Score: 550
✔ APR: 9.95% - 35.99% APR
✔ Funding turnaround: Within 24 hours

Avant offers super fast funding and is a great personal loan option for individuals with fair to good credit scores.

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Best Egg

✔ Funding: Borrow $2,000 - $50,000
✔ Minimum Credit Score: 600
✔ APR: 4.99% - 35.99%
✔ Funding turnaround: 1-3 business days

Borrowers with fair to good credit can obtain personal loans at competitive APR rates with Best Egg.

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Discover

✔ Funding: Borrow $2,500 - $35,000
✔ Minimum Credit Score: 660
✔ APR: 5.99% - 24.99%
✔ Funding turnaround: within 24 hours

Borrowers can get funded as fast as next business day with Discover personal loans.

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AXOS Bank

✔ Funding: Borrow $10,000 - $50,000
✔ Minimum Credit Score: 700
✔ APR: 6.79% - 17.99%
✔ Funding turnaround: within 24 hours

Individuals with good to excellent credit can get funds as fast as next business day with AXOS Bank personal loans.

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Benefits of adoption loans

The major benefit of an adoption loan is, of course, making adopting more affordable for many families. The adoption process can cost up to $40,000, which is out of most people’s budget. Adoption loans can help you manage the fees associated with adoption so you can focus on what’s important.

How does an adoption loan work?

An adoption loan is usually a personal loan you receive in a lump sum to help you cover the costs involved with adoption. You apply for your financing, get approved, and the money is paid into your bank account.

Popular types of adoption financing options

You aren’t limited to securing your adoption financing through a personal loan, though that is the most popular option. Here are the options you have available:

• Personal loans: Personal loans can be used for pretty much anything, and if you have good or excellent credit, you’ll often be able to get a loan with low interest.
• Specialist loans: but you can also apply for a no- or low-interest loan from organizations that help with adoption. These organizations include ABBA Fund (for Christian families), HelpUsAdopt.org, GiftofAdoption.org, and more.
• Credit cards: credit cards are another option for easy access to funds, and can be a great choice if you can get a card with a long 0% interest period.
• Personal line of credit: A personal line of credit is unsecured revolving credit which works similarly to a credit card. Like a home equity line of credit (or HELOC), this lets you borrow several times throughout the adoption process (provided you can pay it back as you go).
• HELOC: A HELOC (home equity line of credit) is another form of revolving credit where you can borrow several times during your draw period, provided you don’t go over the set borrowing limit. Once the draw period is finished, you cannot borrow through your HELOC anymore, and you’ll need to pay back whatever you owe, either immediately or over an agreed repayment period. The main downside of a HELOC is that it’s secured against your home, so if you don’t keep up with the repayments, your home may be seized.
• Cash-out refinance: this involves refinancing for more than you owe on your home and getting paid the remainder as cash. In essence, this option consolidates your adoption funds into your mortgage so you can spread out payments over the mortgage repayment term.

Are there alternatives to adoption loans?

Here are some alternatives to adoption loans:

Crowdfunding: many people don’t like the idea of asking the general public for money, but it’s a great way for friends and family to chip in whatever they can. Many crowdfunding websites allow anonymous donations so people can contribute as much (or as little) as they’d like.

Adoption grants: some organizations offer grants for adoption, which is essentially free money you don’t have to pay back. The terms of these grants are more strict than something like a personal loan, but if you can get them, are well worth your time. Some of the organizations that offer grants are:

• Gift of Adoption
• HelpUsAdopt.org
• A Child Waits Foundation
• National Adoption Foundation
• Associates Home Loan

Borrow from family: borrowing money from family isn’t often a good idea, but for a life and family-changing decision like this one, it is one of the best times to do so. Asking your family to help fund your adoption will help bring your family into the process with you and offer you extra support.

Do interest-free adoption loans exist?

Here are some non-profits that may be able to help with interest-free loans:

• ABBA Fund (for Christian families)
• Hebrew Free Loan Association (for Jewish families)
• International Association of Jewish Free Loans (available to all faiths)
• Pathways for Little Feet 
• Lifesong for Orphans

If you have an excellent credit score, you may be able to get a credit card with a 0% interest introductory period, which will offer you the same benefits as an interest-free loan.

What credit score do I need to qualify for an adoption loan?

What credit score you need depends entirely on the type of funding you choose and the specific lender’s terms. If you have an excellent credit score, you’ll be able to borrow the most with the best terms, but if you don’t, that doesn’t mean you won’t be able to borrow.

If your credit score is less than perfect, look into alternative lending options before looking at the traditional options – if you can secure a no-interest loan through an adoption organization you’ll be much better off in the long run.

Adoption loan payment calculator