Payday Loans & Cash Advances in Louisiana
LA · up to $350 — max fee 17%- Max loan: $350
- Max fee: 17% of the loan's face value
- Term: Max 30 days
- Statute: La. R.S. 9:3578.1 et seq.
Get $350 Match in LA
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What a payday loan costs in Louisiana
A cash advance, a payday advance, a payroll advance — whatever the storefront sign says, it's the same product with the same legal ceiling in Louisiana.
The Louisiana fee of $50.25 per $300 borrowed ranks 12th of 29 fixed-fee states — in the middle of the pack for short-term credit.
| Loan amount | Max fee | Total repaid | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| $200 | $33.5 | $233.5 | 30 days |
| $300 | $50.25 | $350.25 | 30 days |
| $350 | $58.63 | $408.63 | 30 days |
The same fee over 14 vs 30 days — why APR looks scary
Louisiana caps the dollar fee, not the APR — so the same fee annualizes differently depending on how long you hold the loan. This is the honest math for a $350 loan:
| Term | Fee | Total repaid | APR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 days | $58.63 | $408.63 | ≈437% |
| 30 days | $58.63 | $408.63 | ≈204% |
The rulebook in Louisiana
| Legal cap | $350 |
| Fee ceiling | 16.75% of check amount ($16.75 per $100) + $10 documentation fee |
| Term | Max 30 days |
| Rollovers | Forbidden |
| Cooling-off / rescind | End of next business day |
| Typical APR | 523% |
| Statute | La. R.S. 9:3578.1 et seq. |
| Regulator | Louisiana Office of Financial Institutions |
Deferred presentment small loans are high-cost credit products intended for short-term financial needs only.
Payday vs PAL vs installment in Louisiana
The payday loan is the fastest tool, rarely the cheapest. Before signing, compare it with the two structured alternatives:
| Payday loan | Credit-union PAL | Online installment | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical amount | $100–$350 | $200–$2,000 | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Cost | 17% flat fee (~400% APR) | APR capped at 28% federally | APR ≈36%–200% |
| Term | 30 days | 1–6 months | 6–24 months |
| Credit check | No hard pull — income-based | Soft pull, credit unions only | Soft-check prequalification common |
| Best for | A one-paycheck gap | Bigger gap, credit-union members | Multi-month shortfalls |
Repaying — and what happens if you can't
- Repayment is a single automatic debit from the account the money went into, due max 30 days after signing.
- Rollover rules: Forbidden. A "renewal" that adds a fresh fee to the same balance is the classic payday debt spiral — state law is the line between a rollover and a legal new loan.
- Cancellation: Louisiana gives you a rescind window of end of next business day — return the principal within it and you owe no fee.
- Deferred presentment small loans are high-cost credit products intended for short-term financial needs only.
- If a debit bounces, the bank charges its own NSF fee and the lender may charge the contract late fee — then may sell the debt to a collector. Complaints go to the state regulator, and an unlicensed lender may have no enforceable claim at all.
Four things to try before borrowing
- A payment plan from the bill issuer. Utilities, hospitals, and many landlords must offer hardship payment plans on request — it costs nothing and beats any loan.
- Credit-union PAL. Federal credit unions offer Payday Alternative Loans (PALs): $200–$2,000 at APRs capped at 28% with terms of 1–6 months — several times cheaper than any payday fee, if you can join a credit union.
- Earned-wage access. Employer-connected advance apps let you draw already-worked hours for little or no fee. Slower than a payday loan, far cheaper.
- Local assistance. Community action agencies and charity programs cover one-time bills (rent, utilities, medication) in most metro areas.
50 Louisiana cities covered
Local guides with cost tables and requirements for the biggest Louisiana cities — the law is statewide, but fees hit differently in every local budget.
- New Orleans 391k
- Baton Rouge 228k
- Shreveport 195k
- Metairie 140k
- Lafayette 128k
- Lake Charles 77k
- Bossier City 68k
- Kenner 67k
- Monroe 49k
- Alexandria 48k
- Houma 34k
- Marrero 33k
- New Iberia 30k
- Laplace 29k
- Central 29k
- Prairieville 28k
- Slidell 28k
- Terrytown 24k
- Ruston 22k
- Harvey 21k
- Bayou Cane 21k
- Hammond 21k
- Sulphur 20k
- Chalmette 19k
- Shenandoah 19k
- Natchitoches 18k
- Gretna 18k
- Zachary 17k
- Opelousas 17k
- Estelle 15k
- Thibodaux 15k
- Pineville 14k
- River Ridge 14k
- Baker 14k
- Belle Chasse 13k
- Crowley 13k
- West Monroe 13k
- Youngsville 13k
- Bayou Blue 13k
- Minden 13k
- Abbeville 12k
- Moss Bluff 12k
- Mandeville 12k
- Luling 12k
- Woodmere 12k
- Bogalusa 12k
- Morgan City 12k
- Claiborne 12k
- Broussard 12k
- Destrehan 11k
What are the requirements for obtaining a Payday Loan in Louisiana?
To get a payday loan in Louisiana, you need to meet some criteria. If you do not qualify for any of them, you will not be able to get a payday loan. Review the main ones and make sure you have everything needed to get a loan:
- 18 is the minimum age
- US citizens and permanent residents
- a resident of Louisiana
- contact number and email address
- permanent source of income
- an active bank account
Need more than $350?
An installment loan in Louisiana spreads $1,000–$5,000 over fixed monthly payments. For lenders operating outside the LA-licensed system, see our honest guide to tribal loans in Louisiana. For the full picture of short-term rules, see payday loans by state.
Louisiana payday loan FAQ
How much can I borrow with a payday loan in Louisiana?
The legal maximum is $350 per loan under La. R.S. 9:3578.1 et seq.. Lenders may not write around it, online or in a storefront.
Is a cash advance different from a payday loan in Louisiana?
No — cash advance, payday advance, and payroll advance are different names for the same short-term product. Louisiana's cap, fee ceiling, and term rules apply identically, whatever the lender calls it.
What does a $300 payday loan cost in Louisiana?
$50.25 in fees — 17% of the loan's face value — repaid max 30 days later. Total repayment: $350.25.
I need money immediately — how fast can I get a payday loan in Louisiana?
Apply online in the morning: decisions arrive in minutes, and applications approved before the lender's daily cutoff are funded the same business day. After the cutoff or on weekends, funding lands the next business morning.
Do Louisiana payday lenders check credit?
No hard credit check in the traditional sense: approval runs on verifiable income and an active checking account, so weak or thin credit files still get funded. Some lenders record a soft inquiry, which leaves your score untouched.
What happens if I can't repay a payday loan in Louisiana?
State rule: forbidden. A missed debit adds the bank NSF fee and the contract late fee, and the debt may go to a collector. Ask the lender for an extended payment plan before the due date — and escalate to the Louisiana Office of Financial Institutions if the lender refuses to work with you.
How many payday loans can I have at once in Louisiana?
State law says: Forbidden. Your credit history with other lenders is checked through the state database.
Where do I complain about a Louisiana lender?
To the Louisiana Office of Financial Institutions (https://www.ofi.la.gov) — it licenses and polices every payday lender serving Louisiana residents.
Ready to check offers in Louisiana?
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Check My Eligibility →Online Payday Loan Alternatives in Louisiana
If a two-week payday isn't the right fit, these Louisiana options cover the other common situations — bigger amounts, longer terms, and no-credit-check routes:
Payday Loan Calculator
The legal ceiling computed from state statute — the most a licensed lender may charge. It is the law, not a quote.
Get Payday Loans in Louisiana with All City Payday Loan
Every figure on this page is the legal ceiling computed from state law — the most a licensed lender may charge you. All City Payday Loan matches you with licensed lenders and shows the cost before you commit.
Start with All City Payday Loans →Disclosure. All City Payday Loan is not a lender, not a broker, and does not make credit decisions. Rates and terms are set by third-party lenders and depend on state law and the lender's underwriting; short-term loans carry APRs that may range from 35.99% to 359.99%. A payday loan is a short-term tool for a temporary cash gap — it is not a solution for long-term debt problems. Late or missed payments may result in additional fees and collection activity. Check your lender's license with your state regulator before you sign.