You need $350 today. Not next week. Today. The fastest path depends on what you already have: if you have a job with direct deposit, an earned wage access app gets you $350 in hours for a few dollars. If you don’t, a same day installment loan through RadCred funds in your bank account by end of business when approved before 10:30 am central. If neither works, there are 4 more options below, ranked by speed.
That’s the answer. The rest of this article is the details, because the details determine whether you get $350 for $5 or $350 for $105.
The 6 fastest ways to get 350 dollars now, ranked by speed
1. Earned wage access app (hours, not days)
If you have a job with direct deposit and you’ve already earned $350 or more this pay cycle, this is the cheapest and fastest option that exists.
Earnin. Up to $500 of wages you’ve already worked for. Optional tip ($0 to $14). Money arrives within hours via instant transfer ($3.50 fee) or next business day for free. Link your bank account showing direct deposit from your employer. No credit check at all.
Dave. Up to $500 advance. $1 monthly subscription. Optional tip. Instant transfer to external debit card ($4.99) or Dave debit card (free). Takes about 5 minutes to set up if you’re new.
Brigit. Up to $250. So this only covers part of your $350 need. $9.99 monthly subscription. Instant transfer available. Works if you can combine with $100 from another source.
Money Lion Instacash. Up to $500 for members. $0 for standard delivery (1 to 5 days) or $3.99 to $8.99 for instant. Roar Money account speeds things up.
The math. $350 through Earnin with instant transfer: $350 + $3.50 fee + $0 to $5 tip = $353.50 to $358.50 total. Compare that to any loan product and the difference is 10x to 20x cheaper.
The catch. You must have already earned the $350. These apps advance against wages you’ve worked but haven’t been paid yet. If you’re between jobs, self-employed, or your employer doesn’t do direct deposit, skip to option 2.
2. Same day installment loan (funded by end of day)
If earned wage access doesn’t work, an installment loan is the next fastest option with the best cost structure.
How fast. Apply in 60 seconds. Soft credit check (no score impact). If approved and you accept the offer before 10:30 am central on a business day, funds typically arrive the same day via ACH. Some lenders offer debit card push (minutes to hours) for a small fee.
What it costs. $350 installment loan at 28% APR (the sub-580 FICO average from Credible 2026 data) over 6 months: monthly payment about $63, total interest about $28. Total cost $378. Over 3 months: $122/month, about $15 in interest, total $365.
Compare that to a $350 payday loan: $52 to $105 in fees on a 14-day term (391% APR), with rollover risk that can double or triple the cost. The installment structure is cheaper for everyone who needs more than 14 days to repay.
RadCred specifically. The matching engine connects you with state licensed lenders in 60 seconds. You enter $350, your income, and your bank info. You see real offers with clear APR, term, and total cost before committing. The soft check at prequalification doesn’t touch your score.
Apply for a $350 loan through RadCred here
3. Credit card cash advance (if you already have a card)
If you have a credit card with $350+ of available cash advance limit, this works today. Walk into any bank or use an ATM.
What it costs. 3% to 5% transaction fee ($10.50 to $17.50 on $350) plus interest at 25% to 30% APR starting immediately (no grace period on cash advances). Over 3 months, total cost roughly $370 to $385.
The catch. Your cash advance limit is usually lower than your purchase limit. Check your account online before going to the ATM. And the interest starts accruing the second the money hits your account, unlike purchases which have a grace period.
Not the cheapest option, but if you already have the card in your wallet and need cash in the next 30 minutes, it’s the fastest path that doesn’t involve an app.
4. Federal credit union PAL (same day possible)
If you’re already a federal credit union member for 30+ days, a Payday Alternative Loan gets you $200 to $1,000 at a 28% APR cap. Application fee maxes at $20. Repayment over 1 to 6 months.
What it costs. $350 PAL I at 28% over 4 months: monthly payment about $92, total interest about $18, total cost $368. Cheapest traditional loan product available for bad credit borrowers.
The catch. You must already be a member. If you’re not, joining takes $5 to $25 and the 30-day waiting period means this doesn’t help you today. But if you’re already a member, call first thing in the morning. Some credit unions fund PALs the same day.
Find a credit union at mycreditunion.gov.
5. Sell something (cash in hand, no debt)
This one isn’t a loan. But if you have an item worth $400 to $500, selling it on Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, or Craigslist nets you $350 in cash within hours. No interest, no monthly payments, no credit check.
Common items that sell fast for $350+: gaming consoles (PS5, Xbox Series X), recent-model smartphones, laptops, electric scooters, power tools, brand-name bicycles.
Selling is always cheaper than borrowing. You get 100% of the sale price. Pawning the same item gets you 25% to 60% of its value. If you can part with the item, sell it.
6. Payday loan (last resort only)
A payday loan for $350 costs $52.50 to $105 in fees (at $15 to $30 per $100) and demands full repayment in 14 days. APR equivalent: 391% to 782%.
The CFPB’s number. The average payday borrower rolls over 8 times before final repayment. On $350, 8 rollovers at $15 per $100 means $420 in fees alone, more than the loan itself.
If an installment loan is available (option 2), it is cheaper in every scenario where repayment takes more than 14 days. Payday should be the absolute last option after everything else above has been exhausted.
What $350 is usually for (and a faster fix for each)
Half a car repair. Average alternator replacement is $500 to $1,000 in 2026. Your $350 covers the deposit. Before borrowing, call a second shop for a competing quote (independent shops run 20% to 40% cheaper than dealerships for the same work). Ask the shop about a payment plan: many independent shops accept 60% at pickup with the balance in 30 days.
Utility shutoff. Average past-due utility balance that triggers a disconnect notice is $200 to $400. Before borrowing, call the utility and ask for a 14-day extension (most say yes if you ask before the disconnect date). Apply for LIHEAP crisis assistance through 211, which can pay the balance in 48 hours in some states. Both are free.
Medical co-pay. Urgent care co-pays run $150 to $350 with high-deductible plans. Before borrowing, ask the provider about a no-interest payment plan. Most urgent care clinics accept $50 to $75/month with no interest. That’s cheaper than any loan.
Rent shortfall. If $350 is the difference between paying rent and getting a late notice, call the landlord first. Ask for a 7 to 10 day extension in writing. Most landlords prefer a late payment to an eviction filing. 211 connects to local rent assistance that may cover the gap with no repayment.
Between paychecks. This is the most common reason. Earned wage access (option 1) is designed specifically for this. If your employer doesn’t support it, DailyPay and PayActiv are employer-side platforms. Ask your HR department whether either is available.
The real cost comparison, all 6 options on $350
| Option | Speed | Total cost | Monthly burden | Credit check |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Earned wage access (Earnin) | Hours | $353 to $358 | None (repaid from next paycheck) | None |
| Credit union PAL | Same day | $368 | $92 for 4 months | Soft or none |
| Installment loan (RadCred) | Same day | $365 to $378 | $63 to $122 | Soft |
| Credit card cash advance | Minutes | $370 to $385 | Varies (minimum payment) | None (existing card) |
| Sell an item | Hours | $0 (no debt) | $0 | None |
| Payday loan, no rollover | Same day | $402 to $455 | $402 to $455 lump sum in 14 days | Soft or none |
| Payday loan, 3 rollovers | 56 days | $560+ | $560+ lump sum | Soft or none |
The spread between cheapest (selling something, $0) and most expensive (payday with rollovers, $560+) is $560. On $350 borrowed. The option you pick matters more than any other financial decision you’ll make this week.
The four-step RadCred application
If an installment loan is the right path, the application takes about 60 seconds.
- Tell us you need $350 and why.
- Share your monthly income and employment.
- Provide your bank account for verification.
- Review the offers from licensed lenders. Each shows APR, monthly payment, and total cost. Accept one or none.
Soft credit check only at this stage. No score impact until you accept an offer.
If you apply and accept before 10:30 am central on a business day, funds typically arrive the same day. After that, next business day. Some lenders offer debit card push for faster funding.
Red flags to avoid when you’re in a rush
“Guaranteed $350 approval.” No legitimate lender guarantees approval before seeing your income and bank history. The FTC flags this as the top consumer-loan scam pattern. If someone promises $350 guaranteed before you apply, walk away.
Upfront fees before the money arrives. If a “lender” asks you to send $25 or $50 before disbursing the $350, it’s the advance-fee scam. Legitimate lenders deduct fees from the loan itself, never from your pocket first.
A title loan for $350. Putting your car title up as collateral for $350 is disproportionate risk. Auto title loan APRs average 300%+ (CFPB data), and about 20% of borrowers lose their vehicle. An installment loan at 28% APR costs a fraction of a title loan for the same $350.
An app or website that asks for your bank login credentials (not account/routing number). Some scam sites use bank credential harvesting disguised as loan applications. Legitimate lenders ask for your account number and routing number for ACH, not your online banking username and password.
FAQ
Can I actually get $350 today?
Yes. Earned wage access apps deliver in hours. Installment loans fund same business day when approved before 10:30 am central. Credit card cash advances are instant. Selling an item is same day.
What credit score do I need for a $350 loan?
Many online installment lenders accept FICO scores in the 500s. Earned wage access apps don’t check credit at all. Credit union PALs have no minimum credit score (income is the factor). The soft check at RadCred shows your actual options without affecting your score.
What if I need 350 dollars now and I’m unemployed?
Options narrow but don’t disappear. If you have unemployment benefits, SSI, SSDI, gig income, or any recurring deposits, many lenders accept those as qualifying income. If you have truly zero income, selling an item or asking family is the realistic path. A loan you can’t repay isn’t a solution.
Is it better to use Earnin or a loan for $350?
Earnin, almost always. Total cost of $353 to $358 vs $365 to $378 for an installment loan. The gap is small but Earnin is also faster (hours vs end of day). Use Earnin if you have qualifying direct-deposit employment. Use a loan if you don’t.
What’s the cheapest way to get $350 fast?
In cost order: sell something ($0), earned wage access ($3 to $8), credit union PAL ($18), installment loan ($15 to $28), credit card cash advance ($20 to $35), payday loan ($52 to $105+).
Will borrowing $350 hurt my credit?
The soft check at prequalification doesn’t. The hard check when you accept an offer drops your score 5 to 10 points temporarily. On-time repayment builds your score back. If you use an earned wage access app, there’s no credit impact at all.
I need $350 for rent. Should I borrow or risk a late fee?
Usually borrow. A $35 to $50 late fee is comparable to the cost of a 3-month installment loan ($15 in interest). But an eviction filing (which can happen after repeated late payments) costs $20,000+ over 7 years in rental history damage. The math favours avoiding the filing.
What about Buy Now Pay Later for $350?
BNPL (Affirm, Klarna, Afterpay) works for specific retail purchases but not for cash in your bank account. If you need $350 cash (for rent, a bill, a repair), BNPL doesn’t apply. If you need $350 worth of stuff from a specific retailer, BNPL splits it into 4 payments at 0% if paid on time.
