Payday loans in South Carolina
Payday loans are legal in South Carolina. A licensed lender may lend up to $550 and charge no more than 15% of the principal. Every figure on this page was checked against South Carolina law on November 10, 2026.
- Status
- Legal
- Maximum loan
- $550
South Carolina payday loan rules at a glance
- Legal status
- Legal
- Maximum loan
- $550
- Loan term
- Up to 31 days
- Maximum fee
- 15% of the principal
- Loans at one time
- One at a time, tracked in a statewide database
- Rollovers
- Not allowed
- Governing law
- S.C. Code §§ 34-39-110 et seq.
Checked against South Carolina law on November 10, 2026.
The Northlight standard
- Highest APR
- 35.99%
- Time to repay
- 3 to 36 months
- Amounts
- $100 to $5,000
Example: $1,000 over 12 months at 35.99% APR is 12 payments of $100.46, $1,205.52 in total. Rates and terms
Key points
- Payday loans are legal in South Carolina and lenders must hold a state license.
- The most you can borrow on one payday loan is $550.
- Price rule: 15% of the principal.
- South Carolina State Board of Financial Institutions, Consumer Finance Division handles licensing questions and complaints.
On this page
Are payday loans legal in South Carolina?
Payday loans are legal in South Carolina. A licensed lender may lend up to $550 and charge no more than 15% of the principal.
The governing law is S.C. Code §§ 34-39-110 et seq… South Carolina State Board of Financial Institutions, Consumer Finance Division licenses lenders and takes complaints. Check a lender’s license there before you share bank details; how to tell if a lender is legitimate lists the other checks.
Loan limits in South Carolina
- Loan size: up to $550
- Loan term: Up to 31 days
- Loans at one time: One at a time, tracked in a statewide database
- Rollovers: Not allowed
What a payday loan costs in South Carolina
State law sets the price rule: 15% of the principal.
Federal law requires the lender to state the finance charge in dollars and the APR in your agreement. Read both before you sign, and set them beside the example further down this page.
A loan that meets the Northlight standard
Northlight works only with loans that carry an APR of 35.99% or less, fees included, and give you at least 3 months to repay. A single-payment payday loan under South Carolina law does not meet that standard, whatever its fee, because it falls due in one payment within weeks.
For example, $1,000 repaid over 12 months at 35.99% APR is 12 payments of $100.46, or $1,205.52 in total. The calculator prices other amounts and terms.
If you cannot repay a loan in South Carolina
Contact the lender before the due date and ask for a payment plan in writing. If a lender or collector breaks the rules, file a complaint with South Carolina State Board of Financial Institutions, Consumer Finance Division and with the CFPB. Our guide to what happens if you don’t pay covers each step.
Lower-cost options in South Carolina
- Credit union payday alternative loans (PALs): $200 to $2,000 at no more than 28% APR.
- A payment plan with the landlord, utility or hospital you owe often costs nothing.
- Local assistance: dial 211 for rent, utility and food programs near you.
See all payday loan alternatives.
Free help in South Carolina
- 211Free, confidential referrals to local help with rent, utilities and food. Call 211.
- USA.gov: help paying billsGovernment programs for rent, energy, phone and medical bills.
- National Foundation for Credit CounselingNonprofit credit counselors who can set up a debt management plan. Call 800-388-2227.
- CFPB complaint portalFile a federal complaint about a lender or a debt collector.
Common questions
Are payday loans legal in South Carolina?
Yes. Payday loans are legal in South Carolina under S.C. Code §§ 34-39-110 et seq., and lenders need a state license.
How much can I borrow with a payday loan in South Carolina?
Up to $550 on a single loan.
What does a payday loan cost in South Carolina?
State law sets the price rule: 15% of the principal. The lender must give you the finance charge in dollars and the APR in writing before you sign.
Can I roll over a payday loan in South Carolina?
State rule on rollovers: Not allowed. A rollover adds a new fee without reducing what you owe.
Can I be arrested for not repaying a payday loan in South Carolina?
No. Not paying a loan is a civil matter, not a crime. A lender can still sue you in civil court, so never ignore a court summons.
Where do I complain about a lender in South Carolina?
Contact South Carolina State Board of Financial Institutions, Consumer Finance Division. You can also file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Does Northlight offer payday loans in South Carolina?
No. Northlight is not a lender, and the loans we work with must carry an APR of 35.99% or less and run for at least 3 months. Single-payment payday loans do not meet that standard.
See the payment before you apply
Pick an amount and a term. The calculator shows the monthly payment, the total and the cost of credit at the highest APR we allow.
Sources
Keep reading
- South DakotaSouth Dakota caps small loans at 36% APR, so high-cost payday loans are not offered. See what is allowed, who regulates lenders and what a loan costs.
- Rhode IslandPayday loans are legal in Rhode Island. See the loan limits, the rules lenders must follow, where to complain, and how a loan capped at 35.99% APR compares.
- TennesseePayday loans are legal in Tennessee. See the loan limits, the rules lenders must follow, where to complain, and how a loan capped at 35.99% APR compares.
- PennsylvaniaPayday loans are not legal in Pennsylvania. Learn what the law says, why online offers are risky and which lower-cost options you can use instead.
- TexasPayday loans are legal in Texas. See the loan limits, the rules lenders must follow, where to complain, and how a loan capped at 35.99% APR compares.
- OregonPayday loans are legal in Oregon. See the loan limits, the rules lenders must follow, where to complain, and how a loan capped at 35.99% APR compares.