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Microlending

Have an emergency expense?

St. Vincent de Paul — Madison provides small dollar, low-interest loans to help with one-time emergency expenses. Microloans are offered between $400 and $2,500 at low interest rates. They are offered for up to two years through local banks with individualized repayment plans. Financial education and other support is also offered to borrowers. Microloans are an alternative to payday or auto title loans. They are meant to prevent the use of and/or payoff these types of loans which cause immediate and long term harm to borrowers.

Eligibility:
  • You must live in Dane County,
  • have a current emergency expense between $400 and $2,500,
  • have a regular monthly household income at or below 300% of the federal poverty level (FPL),
  • be willing to have a bank account, and
  • your monthly debt-to-income ratio is under 47%.
    • Calculate this by adding your housing costs to your monthly debt repayments. Next, divide that number by your gross monthly income.

Notices

2033 Fish Hatchery Road
Madison, WI 53713

Eligible Loan Expenses

Yes

✅ Car repair

✅ Paying off a high interest payday or auto title loan

✅ Medical expense not covered by other means

✅ One-time security deposit

No

❌ Monthly bills like car payments, utilities or credit card payments

❌ Rent or mortgage payments

Application Process

*Jan 17th: Applications for microloans are currently closed. Please check back soon when applications reopen.*

Before applying for a microloan, please make sure that you meet the applicant requirements above. If you qualify, follow this application process:

    1. Complete the Microloan Candidate Interest Form. A representative will respond to your interest within five business days.
    2. Candidates meeting preliminary criteria will be invited to complete a Microloan Application with program staff.
    3. Applications will be reviewed by the St. Vincent de Paul — Madison Microloan Committee.
    4. Qualifying applications will be forwarded to a local bank partner for final review.
    5. Microloans will be finalized between the bank and the borrower.

Microlending Testimony