Payday loans in South Carolina
Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates; NCUA June 2026 call report; FDIC BankFind, Oct 2026.
South Carolina payday loan rules at a glance
| Governing law | Deferred Presentment Services Act. No one may offer deferred presentment services, including to South Carolina residents from out of state, without a Board license, and each location needs its own license. (S.C. Code § 34-39-130) |
|---|---|
| Maximum loan | No more than $550 advanced to you at one time, not counting the fee. (S.C. Code § 34-39-180(B)) |
| Fees / interest cap | The fee may not exceed 15% of the principal and may be charged only once per agreement. (S.C. Code § 34-39-180(E)) |
| Maximum term | Presentment of the check may be deferred for no more than 31 days. (S.C. Code § 34-39-180(A), (C)) |
| Rollovers / renewals | Not allowed. A payday loan may not be repaid with the proceeds of another payday loan from the same lender or an affiliate, and the lender may not renew or extend it beyond the agreed date. (S.C. Code § 34-39-180(F)) |
| Cooling-off period | You cannot take a new payday loan on the same business day you repay one. From your eighth loan in a calendar year onward, you cannot take a new loan on the same or the next business day after repaying the previous one. (S.C. Code § 34-39-270(A)-(B)) |
| Loans at one time / database | One payday loan at a time, with any licensee. Lenders must check eligibility in a statewide database before each loan. You also cannot get a new loan while an extended payment plan is unpaid. (S.C. Code § 34-39-270(A), (C)-(D)) |
| Extended payment plan | Once every 12 months, if you cannot repay, you may choose an extended payment plan. You must ask before the due date. The plan has at least four substantially equal installments timed to your paydays, with no added interest or fees, and you may prepay at any time. (S.C. Code § 34-39-280) |
| Returned-payment fee | No returned-check charge is allowed. If your check bounces, the lender may use only civil collection methods. (S.C. Code § 34-39-180(G)) |
| Criminal charges for bounced check | You are not criminally liable for a personal check written to a licensee under a deferred presentment agreement. (S.C. Code § 34-39-180(G)) |
How much will I repay?
South Carolina does not set a single per-$100 fee cap for this product; check the lender's disclosure. $15 per $100 is shown as an example.
Estimate only. Your lender shows your exact cost before you sign.
Compare neighboring states
Lenders must follow the law of the state where you live, not where you visit.
| State | Status | Max loan |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia | Not available | — |
| North Carolina | Not available | — |
Payday Loans by city in South Carolina
Counties in South Carolina
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Also see: Personal Loans in South Carolina · Title Loans in South Carolina · All South Carolina loan options
Frequently asked questions
Are payday loans legal in South Carolina?
Payday loans (deferred presentment services) are legal in South Carolina from lenders licensed by the State Board of Financial Institutions under Title 34, Chapter 39. A license is required for each location and for lending to South Carolina residents from out of state.
How much can you borrow with a payday loan in South Carolina?
No more than $550 advanced to you at one time, not counting the fee.
How much do payday loans cost in South Carolina?
The fee may not exceed 15% of the principal and may be charged only once per agreement.
How many payday loans can you have at once in South Carolina?
One payday loan at a time, with any licensee. Lenders must check eligibility in a statewide database before each loan. You also cannot get a new loan while an extended payment plan is unpaid.
Can you roll over a payday loan in South Carolina?
Not allowed. A payday loan may not be repaid with the proceeds of another payday loan from the same lender or an affiliate, and the lender may not renew or extend it beyond the agreed date.
Do South Carolina payday lenders have to offer a payment plan?
Once every 12 months, if you cannot repay, you may choose an extended payment plan. You must ask before the due date. The plan has at least four substantially equal installments timed to your paydays, with no added interest or fees, and you may prepay at any time.
Can a payday lender press criminal charges in South Carolina?
You are not criminally liable for a personal check written to a licensee under a deferred presentment agreement.
Can I get a payday loan on the weekend in South Carolina?
You can submit our online form any time, including nights and weekends, and some lenders review requests right away. Funding depends on banking days, though, so money requested on a Saturday or Sunday typically arrives the next business day. Submitting early helps you get in line for the first available deposit. South Carolina residents can start a request now; it takes about 3 minutes.
Can I get a payday loan online in South Carolina?
Yes. You can request a payday loan online from anywhere in South Carolina, using your phone or computer. Our secure form takes about 3 minutes and connects you with lenders in our network that serve South Carolina residents. If you're approved, funds go straight to your checking account, often by the next business day. There's no cost to apply and no obligation to accept.
How much does a payday loan cost in South Carolina?
The fee may not exceed 15% of the principal and may be charged only once per agreement. Your lender shows the exact fee, total amount to repay, due date and APR before you sign, so you know the full cost upfront. There's no charge to use our form, and you're never obligated to accept an offer. Compare what lenders offer South Carolina borrowers in about 3 minutes.
What do I need to get a payday loan in South Carolina?
Most lenders ask for a few basics: you must be a legal adult, with a valid government-issued ID, a steady source of income, an active checking account in your name, and a phone number and email. Some lenders also ask for recent pay stubs or bank statements. Having these ready makes our 3-minute form quick, and many South Carolina applicants get a decision in minutes.