Payday Loans & Cash Advances in South Carolina
SC · up to $550 — max fee 15%- Max loan: $550
- Max fee: 15% of the loan's face value
- Term: Max 31 days
- Statute: S.C. Code Ann. § 34-39-110 et seq.
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What a payday loan costs in South Carolina
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 South Carolina.
The South Carolina fee of $45 per $300 borrowed ranks 9th of 29 fixed-fee states — one of the cheaper states for short-term credit.
| Loan amount | Max fee | Total repaid | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| $200 | $30 | $230 | 31 days |
| $300 | $45 | $345 | 31 days |
| $500 | $75 | $575 | 31 days |
| $550 | $82.5 | $632.5 | 31 days |
The same fee over 14 vs 30 days — why APR looks scary
South Carolina 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 $500 loan:
| Term | Fee | Total repaid | APR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 days | $75 | $575 | ≈391% |
| 30 days | $75 | $575 | ≈182% |
The rulebook in South Carolina
| Legal cap | $550 |
| Fee ceiling | 15% of face value of check ($15 per $100) |
| Term | Max 31 days |
| Rollovers | Forbidden |
| Cooling-off / rescind | Next business day by 5:00 PM |
| Typical APR | 391% |
| Statute | S.C. Code Ann. § 34-39-110 et seq. |
| Regulator | South Carolina State Board of Financial Institutions |
Deferred presentment service agreements are short-term loans and are not intended to solve long-term financial problems.
Payday vs PAL vs installment in South Carolina
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–$550 | $200–$2,000 | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Cost | 15% flat fee (~400% APR) | APR capped at 28% federally | APR ≈36%–200% |
| Term | 31 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 31 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: South Carolina gives you a rescind window of next business day by 5:00 pm — return the principal within it and you owe no fee.
- Deferred presentment service agreements are short-term loans and are not intended to solve long-term financial problems.
- 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 South Carolina cities covered
Local guides with cost tables and requirements for the biggest South Carolina cities — the law is statewide, but fees hit differently in every local budget.
- Charleston 134k
- Columbia 134k
- North Charleston 109k
- Mount Pleasant 84k
- Rock Hill 73k
- Greenville 67k
- Summerville 49k
- Goose Creek 42k
- Sumter 41k
- Hilton Head Island 41k
- Florence 38k
- Spartanburg 38k
- Myrtle Beach 32k
- Aiken 31k
- Greer 29k
- Anderson 28k
- Mauldin 25k
- Taylors 23k
- Hanahan 23k
- Greenwood 23k
- North Augusta 23k
- Conway 23k
- Simpsonville 21k
- St. Andrews 21k
- Lexington 21k
- Easley 21k
- Socastee 20k
- Wade Hampton 20k
- Bluffton 19k
- West Columbia 16k
- Five Forks 16k
- Clemson 16k
- North Myrtle Beach 16k
- Seven Oaks 16k
- Ladson 15k
- Fort Mill 15k
- Gantt 15k
- Red Hill 15k
- Cayce 14k
- Berea 14k
- Dentsville 14k
- Beaufort 13k
- Orangeburg 13k
- Gaffney 13k
- Port Royal 13k
- Irmo 12k
- James Island 12k
- Parker 12k
- Forest Acres 11k
- Newberry 10k
What are the requirements for obtaining a Payday Loan in South Carolina?
To get a payday loan in South Carolina, 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 South Carolina
- contact number and email address
- permanent source of income
- an active bank account
Need more than $550?
An installment loan in South Carolina spreads $1,000–$5,000 over fixed monthly payments. For lenders operating outside the SC-licensed system, see our honest guide to tribal loans in South Carolina. For the full picture of short-term rules, see payday loans by state.
South Carolina payday loan FAQ
How much can I borrow with a payday loan in South Carolina?
The legal maximum is $550 per loan under S.C. Code Ann. § 34-39-110 et seq.. Lenders may not write around it, online or in a storefront.
Is a cash advance different from a payday loan in South Carolina?
No — cash advance, payday advance, and payroll advance are different names for the same short-term product. South Carolina's cap, fee ceiling, and term rules apply identically, whatever the lender calls it.
What does a $300 payday loan cost in South Carolina?
$45 in fees — 15% of the loan's face value — repaid max 31 days later. Total repayment: $345.
I need money immediately — how fast can I get a payday loan in South Carolina?
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 South Carolina 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 South Carolina?
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 South Carolina State Board of Financial Institutions if the lender refuses to work with you.
How many payday loans can I have at once in South Carolina?
State law says: Forbidden. Your credit history with other lenders is checked through the state database.
Where do I complain about a South Carolina lender?
To the South Carolina State Board of Financial Institutions (https://bofi.sc.gov) — it licenses and polices every payday lender serving South Carolina residents.
Ready to check offers in South Carolina?
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Check My Eligibility →Online Payday Loan Alternatives in South Carolina
If a two-week payday isn't the right fit, these South Carolina 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 South Carolina 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.