Payday loans in Mississippi

Payday loans are legal in Mississippi. A licensed lender may lend up to $500 and charge no more than Under $250: $20 per $100 advanced. Every figure on this page was checked against Mississippi law on November 10, 2026.

Updated by the Northlight editorial team, with 4 cited sources

Status
Legal
Maximum loan
$500

Mississippi payday loan rules at a glance

Legal status
Legal
Maximum loan
$500
Loan term
(30 days (minimum 28 days if loan is between $250 and $500))
Maximum fee
Under $250: $20 per $100 advanced
Loans at one time
Max $500 in all checks.
Rollovers
None.

Checked against Mississippi law on November 10, 2026.

The short version

  • Payday loans are legal in Mississippi 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 $20, which is 521% APR.
  • Mississippi Department of Banking and Consumer Finance handles licensing questions and complaints.
On this page
  1. Are payday loans legal in Mississippi?
  2. Loan limits in Mississippi
  3. What a payday loan costs in Mississippi
  4. Before you deal with an online lender
  5. If you cannot repay a loan in Mississippi
  6. Lower-cost options in Mississippi
  7. Common questions

Payday loans are legal in Mississippi. A licensed lender may lend up to $500 and charge no more than Under $250: $20 per $100 advanced.

The governing law is Miss. Code Ann. §§ 75-67-519. Mississippi Department of Banking and Consumer Finance licenses lenders and takes complaints.

Loan limits in Mississippi

  • Loan size: up to $500
  • Loan term: 30 days (minimum 28 days if loan is between $250 and $500)
  • Loans at one time: Max $500 in all checks.
  • Rollovers: None.

What a payday loan costs in Mississippi

State law sets the price rule: Under $250: $20 per $100 advanced.

On a $100 loan repaid after 14 days, the most a lender may charge is $20. You would repay $120, an APR of 521%. For comparison, most credit cards charge between 20% and 30% APR.

Before you deal with an online lender

  1. Look the company up with Mississippi Department of Banking and Consumer Finance. 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 Mississippi

Contact the lender before the due date and ask for a payment plan in writing. On criminal threats: Prohibited. If a lender or collector breaks the rules, file a complaint with Mississippi Department of Banking and Consumer Finance and with the CFPB. Our guide to what happens if you don’t pay covers each step.

Lower-cost options in Mississippi

  • 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 Mississippi

Common questions

Are payday loans legal in Mississippi?

Yes. Payday loans are legal in Mississippi under Miss. Code Ann. §§ 75-67-519, and lenders need a state license.

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

Up to $500 on a single loan.

What does a payday loan cost in Mississippi?

At the legal maximum, a $100 loan for 14 days costs $20. That equals an APR of 521%. A lender may charge less, so compare before you sign.

Can I roll over a payday loan in Mississippi?

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 Mississippi?

No. Prohibited. A lender can still sue you in civil court, so never ignore a court summons.

Where do I complain about a lender in Mississippi?

Contact Mississippi Department of Banking and Consumer Finance. 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: Mississippi payday loan rules (archived)
  3. Mississippi Department of Banking and Consumer Finance
  4. CFPB: What are the costs and fees for a payday loan?