MPower vs Stilt vs Deserve: Comparing Loans for Visa Holders and Newcomers

MPower Financing, Stilt, and Deserve have each built a niche around serving borrowers that mainstream banks tend to overlook: international students, visa holders, and recent immigrants without a US credit history. While they share that mission, the products differ enough that the right choice depends on your specific situation.

MPower Financing focuses almost entirely on student loans for international and DACA students at partner universities, evaluating applicants based on their academic program and future earning potential rather than requiring a cosigner or existing credit score. It is generally the strongest fit if your primary need is tuition and living expense financing while enrolled.

Stilt positions itself more broadly as a personal loan provider for visa holders across a wide range of categories, including F-1, H-1B, O-1, TN, and others, and is often used for purposes beyond tuition, such as relocation costs, security deposits, or debt consolidation after arriving in the US.

Deserve is known primarily for a credit-building card product aimed at students and newcomers with limited credit history, along with a personal loan option evaluated without requiring a traditional credit score. It tends to appeal to borrowers who want a lower initial commitment while establishing a credit file, rather than a large lump-sum loan.

In terms of approval flexibility, Stilt and MPower generally accommodate a wider range of visa categories, while Deserve leans toward students and early-career professionals. Funding speed and maximum loan amounts vary by applicant profile rather than being fixed, since all three rely on individualized underwriting instead of a standardized credit-score cutoff.

Because eligibility and terms depend heavily on your specific visa status, school, and income situation, the most efficient approach is to check pre-qualification with more than one of these lenders using their soft credit check tools before committing to a full application with any single one.