 TITLE: Step-by-Step Checklist to Getting a Consolidation Loan CONTENT: Look for a Consolidation Loan\n-----------------------------\nDebt consolidation loans are simply personal loans used to pay off debt. Some lenders advertise them as \"debt consolidation loans,\" but you can also just look for \"personal loans.\"\n*   Start with the bank or credit union you already use and find out what options you may have there and at what interest rate. That shouldn't be the only place you look, however.\n*   Check with online lenders, which may offer cheaper options.\n*   Look for lenders that offer loan prequalification using a soft credit check. This allows you to compare interest rates without lowering your credit score the way a hard inquiry can.\n*   Use Experian CreditMatch™ to find loan offers from multiple lenders based on your credit profile and get prequalified.\n*   If you have fair credit, consider these lenders:\n    *   Upgrade\n    *   LendingPoint\n    *   Avant\n*   If you have good credit, check out:\n    *   Prosper\n    *   Payoff\n    *   SoFi END