Since 2001, American Cash Advance has been a proven leader in the payday loan industry. Our dedicated staff provides elite customer service, and we are committed to consumer responsibility, truthful advertising, and full disclosure.

A payday loan is also known as a cash advance loan, a delayed deposit loan, or a deferred presentment loan. It can help cover unexpected expenses like car repairs, natural disasters, or monthly shortfalls.

The borrower writes a check to the lender in exchange for an immediate short-term cash loan, and the lender holds the check until the date specified in the agreement.

You sign an agreement disclosing the amount requested, the annual percentage rate, and other relevant information, and give the lender a personal check for the loan amount plus a fee.

You may redeem the check on or before the due date; otherwise it may be deposited, or the loan amount may be withdrawn from your bank account as authorized in the agreement.

The maximum is determined by your income and the state where you live.

Louisiana: Under the Louisiana Deferred Presentment & Small Loan Act, the most you can borrow is $700.

Mississippi: Under the Mississippi Check Cashers Act, the maximum you can borrow is $410. If you write a $500 check, you receive $410 and there is a $90 fee. It is illegal to write checks for more than $500.

A loan fee is charged when you borrow funds, specific to the laws in your state. See our Rates and Terms pages for details.

Louisiana: A lender can charge $20 for every $100 borrowed, plus a $10 documentation fee.

Mississippi: A lender can charge no more than $20 per $100 on advanced checks with a face amount up to $250. For face amounts of $251 up to $500, lenders can charge $21.95 per $100.

No, it is illegal to renew, extend, or roll over a payday loan by paying only the fee. The loan must be paid in full before you enter into another payday loan transaction. If your lender suggests you only pay the fee, report them.

If your check is deposited and returned unpaid, the lender may charge a single NSF fee, provided it was disclosed in the agreement. If a court awards judgment to the lender, they may legally recover court costs, attorney’s fees, and other court-awarded fees. NSF fees vary by state.

Consequences vary by state.

Louisiana: You may enter a buy-down program: pay 25% of the loan plus fees and refinance the remaining balance. You may also request an extended payment plan once in 12 months, provided the request is made before the due date; if the lender refuses, contact the Office of Financial Institutions (OFI) at 1-888-525-9414. Before the due date, the lender must accept partial payments of $50 or more toward the outstanding balance. On or after the due date, the lender may take legal steps to collect the debt.

Mississippi: You can request that the lender place you on a payment plan, but the lender is not legally required to grant this request.

No, the lender does not have the right to threaten or use criminal prosecution to collect on a payday loan. However, the lender may file an action against you in civil court.

Yes, you may have more than one payday loan with a lender at any time, with the same maximum borrowing amounts applying to each loan. However, the more payday loans you have open, the harder it will be to pay them off completely.

Yes, less-than-perfect credit will not necessarily prevent you from qualifying. Even if you have been turned down by other lenders in the past, we may be able to assist you in obtaining a loan to meet your financial needs.

Your application will not affect your credit score, as no inquiry is made that would affect your scores. Decisions are based on information from alternative credit sources and scores.