Payday loans in Kansas

Payday loans are legal in Kansas. A licensed lender may lend up to $500 and charge no more than 15% of loan amount. Every figure on this page was checked against Kansas law on November 10, 2026.

Updated by the Northlight editorial team, with 4 cited sources

Status
Legal
Maximum loan
$500
APR, 14-day loan
391%

Kansas payday loan rules at a glance

Legal status
Legal
Maximum loan
$500
Loan term
(7-30 days)
Maximum fee
15% of loan amount
APR on a 14-day $100 loan
391%
Loans at one time
A lender and related interest shall not have more than two loans made under this section outstanding to the same borrower at any one time and shall not make more than…
Rollovers
None.

Checked against Kansas law on November 10, 2026.

What a $300 payday loan costs in Kansas

You borrow
$300.00
Fee
$45.00
You repay in 14 days
$345.00
That is an APR of391%

Based on Kansas's maximum fee, repaid in one payment. Your lender's price may differ.

The short version

  • Payday loans are legal in Kansas and lenders must hold a state license.
  • The most you can borrow on one loan is $500.
  • The legal maximum on a $100, 14-day loan is $15, which is 391% APR.
  • Kansas Office of the State Bank Commissioner handles licensing questions and complaints.
On this page
  1. Are payday loans legal in Kansas?
  2. Loan limits in Kansas
  3. What a payday loan costs in Kansas
  4. Before you deal with an online lender
  5. If you cannot repay a loan in Kansas
  6. Lower-cost options in Kansas
  7. Common questions

Payday loans are legal in Kansas. A licensed lender may lend up to $500 and charge no more than 15% of loan amount.

The governing law is Kan. Stat. Ann. § 16a-2-404, 405. Kansas Office of the State Bank Commissioner licenses lenders and takes complaints.

Loan limits in Kansas

  • Loan size: up to $500
  • Loan term: 7-30 days
  • Loans at one time: A lender and related interest shall not have more than two loans made under this section outstanding to the same borrower at any one time and shall not make more than…
  • Rollovers: None.

What a payday loan costs in Kansas

State law sets the price rule: 15% of loan amount.

On a $100 loan repaid after 14 days, the most a lender may charge is $15. You would repay $115, an APR of 391%. For comparison, most credit cards charge between 20% and 30% APR.

Before you deal with an online lender

  1. Look the company up with Kansas Office of the State Bank Commissioner. No license, no loan.
  2. Never pay a fee up front to get a loan. That is the mark of an advance-fee scam.
  3. Read the agreement for the finance charge, the APR and the due date before you give out bank details.

If you cannot repay a loan in Kansas

Contact the lender before the due date and ask for a payment plan in writing. If a lender or collector breaks the rules, file a complaint with Kansas Office of the State Bank Commissioner and with the CFPB. Our guide to what happens if you don’t pay covers each step.

Lower-cost options in Kansas

  • Credit union payday alternative loans (PALs): $200 to $2,000 at no more than 28% APR.
  • A payment plan with the landlord, utility or hospital you owe often costs nothing.
  • Local assistance: dial 211 for rent, utility and food programs near you.

See all payday loan alternatives or work out a loan’s price with the cost calculator.

Free help in Kansas

Common questions

Are payday loans legal in Kansas?

Yes. Payday loans are legal in Kansas under Kan. Stat. Ann. § 16a-2-404, 405, and lenders need a state license.

How much can I borrow with a payday loan in Kansas?

Up to $500 on a single loan.

What does a payday loan cost in Kansas?

At the legal maximum, a $100 loan for 14 days costs $15. That equals an APR of 391%. A lender may charge less, so compare before you sign.

Can I roll over a payday loan in Kansas?

State rule on rollovers: None. A rollover adds a new fee without reducing what you owe.

Can I be arrested for not repaying a payday loan in Kansas?

No. Not paying a loan is a civil matter, not a crime. A lender can still sue you in civil court, so never ignore a court summons.

Where do I complain about a lender in Kansas?

Contact Kansas Office of the State Bank Commissioner. You can also file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Does Northlight lend money?

No. Northlight is an information site. We explain the rules and the costs; we do not make loans or credit decisions.

Sources

  1. NCSL: Payday Lending State Statutes
  2. Consumer Federation of America: Kansas payday loan rules (archived)
  3. Kansas Office of the State Bank Commissioner
  4. CFPB: What are the costs and fees for a payday loan?