What are the costs and fees for a payday loan?

The amount of this fee might range from $10 to $30 for every $100 borrowed, depending on your state law and the maximum amount your state permits you to borrow. A fee of $15 per $100 is common. This equates to an annual percentage rate of almost 400% for a two-week loan. So, for example, if you need to borrow $300 before your next payday, it would cost you $345 to pay it back, assuming a fee of $15 per $100.

Rollovers. If you are unable to pay when your loan is due and your state law permits rollovers, the payday lender may allow you to pay only the fees due and then the lender extends the due date of your loan. You will then be charged another fee and still owe the entire original balance. Using the above example, if you pay a renewal or rollover fee of $45 you would still owe the original $300 loan and another $45 fee when the extension is over. That’s a $90 charge for borrowing $300 for just four weeks.

Repayment Plans. Some state laws require payday lenders to offer extended repayment plans to borrowers who experience difficulty in repaying payday loans. These laws vary by state, and may or may not permit or require a fee for using a repayment plan.

If your state requires a lender to offer an extended repayment plan, you may be able to get additional time to repay your loan without any additional costs or fees. This means that you can pay off your loan rather than borrowing again, incurring more fees, and getting further behind in debt.

Late fees. In addition, if you don’t repay the loan on time, the lender might charge a late or returned check fee, depending on state law. Your bank or credit union may also impose an “NSF” or non-sufficient funds charge if your check or electronic authorization is not paid due to a lack of funds in your account.

Prepaid debit card. If your loan funds are loaded onto one of these cards, there might be other fees. There could be fees to add the money to the card, fees for checking your balance or calling customer service, fees each time you use the card and/or regular monthly fees.

Be sure to read the loan agreement carefully to spot all of the fees and costs before you take out a loan. If you have questions about your state law, you might find more information on the website of your state regulator or state attorney general .