Holiday Loan Basics
A Holiday Loan from Sunset Finance or Flight Finance is a secured personal installment loan that provides extra room in your seasonal budget. To qualify for a Holiday Loan, customers must commit to filing their taxes with Sunset Finance or Flight Finance. The loan will be paid back when the tax return is funded by the IRS. If the tax return is not funded by March 1, 2027, then the monthly installments must be made until the loan is satisfied in full.
Sunset Finance and Flight Finance offers small secured personal loans in different ranges depending on whether you live in South Carolina or Georgia. In South Carolina the loan amounts are $567, $1000 and $1400. In Georgia the amounts are $552, $800, $1080 and $1490.
The amount you may qualify to borrow depends on your estimated tax refund, credit worthiness and collateral. A local branch associate can review your options and explain the terms before you make a decision.
Yes and No. Holiday loans from Sunset Finance and Flight Finance are personal installment loans, but it is designed to be paid back in full once the IRS funds your return. If you have not received your tax refund by March 1, 2027, then monthly installments must be made until the loan is satisfied.
Yes. The Holiday Loans offered by Sunset Finance and Flight Finance are secured loans.
A secured loan requires acceptable collateral. Your local branch will explain the collateral requirements and help you understand what documentation may be needed.
Using a Holiday Loan
A holiday loan may be used for many of the additional expenses that come with the fall and winter seasons, including:
- Holiday gifts
- Thanksgiving or Christmas groceries
- Travel expenses
- Gas and transportation
- Decorations
- Hosting family or friends
- Winter clothing
- Seasonal utility bills
- Car repairs before holiday travel
- Unexpected household expenses
Because it is a personal loan, you can decide how to use the funds based on your needs and holiday budget.
Yes. A holiday loan may be used to help cover Christmas gifts and other holiday shopping expenses.
Before borrowing, create a realistic shopping list and decide how much you can comfortably afford to repay each month. Borrowing only what you need can make it easier to stay within your budget after the holidays are over.
Yes. A holiday loan may be used for Thanksgiving groceries, travel, decorations, hosting expenses, or other seasonal needs.
Planning early may give you more time to set a budget, compare your options, and avoid making rushed financial decisions as the holiday approaches.
Yes. Holiday loan funds may be used for seasonal travel expenses such as airfare, hotel stays, gas, rental cars, meals, and other transportation costs.
Remember to include the full cost of your trip when planning your budget, not only the ticket or hotel price.
Eligibility & Credit
To see if you qualify for a Holiday Loan and for all of the items that you need to open a Holiday Loan please call or visit your local Sunset Finance or Flight Finance office. To find your local branch please visit our website at www.sunsetfinance.net. Holiday Loans vary in sizes between South Carolina and Georgia and depend on the amount of your estimated refund from the IRS.
You are welcome to request a Holiday Loan even if your credit is less than perfect. Sunset Finance considers more than a credit score when reviewing a Holiday Loan request, such as:
- If you are a current customer then you must be in good standing with your open loans and you must commit to filing your taxes with the branch this year.
- You must have had a previous Holiday Loan that was paid off, and/or you must have filed your taxes with us last year.
- Your estimated tax refund will be used to determine the amount you qualify for provided that you commit to filing their taxes at the branch this year.
Submitting a request does not guarantee approval. A local branch associate will review your individual situation and explain any options that may be available.
Yes. First-time borrowers are welcome to request a Holiday Loan.
A branch associate can walk you through the process, explain what information is needed, and answer questions about the loan terms and repayment schedule.
No. Submitting a Get Started form does not guarantee approval or funding.
The form sends your information to the nearest participating branch so an associate can contact you and continue the application process. All loan requests are subject to review, approval, applicable lending requirements, and Sunset Finance’s credit policies.
Applying for a Holiday Loan
Holiday Loans are offered from November 2, 2026 to December 24, 2026 at all Sunset Finance or Flight Finance locations, but appointments may be set up beginning October 1, 2026. The sooner you get an appointment the faster you can get your Holiday Loan.
You can start the process in one of three ways:
- Submit the Get Started form on the Sunset Finance website.
- Call your nearest Sunset Finance or Flight Finance branch.
- Or visit your local branch in person.
Submitting the online form begins the request process, but it is not a complete online loan application. Your information will be sent to a nearby branch, and a branch associate will contact you to continue the process.
Currently, Sunset Finance does not offer a fully online loan application and closing process.
You can submit your contact information through the website to get started. A local branch associate will then contact you to collect additional information, answer your questions, and explain the next steps.
Required information can vary based on your situation and local lending requirements. You may be asked to provide:
- A valid government-issued photo ID
- Proof of income
- Employment information
- Proof of residence
- Contact information
- Information about acceptable collateral
- Personal references or other supporting documentation
- Information for estimated refund, such as current paystubs.
Contact your local branch before visiting to confirm what you should bring.
Sunset Finance works to make the loan review process quick and straightforward. Our goal is to process your application ASAP.
Timing can vary based on when you apply, whether your information is complete, and whether additional documentation is required. Approval and funding are not guaranteed.
Payments & Budgeting
Yes. Sunset Finance and Flight Finance offer fixed monthly payments based on your approved loan terms. Fixed payments can make it easier to plan because you know your required payment amount ahead of time.
Holiday Loans start on November 2, 2026 and appointments can be made as early as October 1, 2026 with your local branch. Consider starting your request before holiday expenses become urgent. Applying earlier in the season can give you more time to:
- Build a holiday budget
- Decide how much you actually need
- Understand the loan terms
- Plan for the monthly payment
- Avoid rushed spending decisions
Taking out a loan creates a financial obligation, so review your regular monthly expenses and make sure the payment can reasonably fit into your budget before accepting a loan.
No financial product is right for every situation. A holiday loan may be worth considering when you have a specific seasonal expense, understand the cost of borrowing, and can comfortably manage the required monthly payment, but a holiday loan is meant to be paid off with your tax refund once it is funded by the IRS.
Start with a complete seasonal budget before requesting a loan or beginning your holiday shopping.
Include expenses such as:
- Gifts
- Food
- Travel
- Decorations
- Holiday events
- Shipping
- Unexpected expenses
Set a limit for each category and borrow only what you reasonably need. A holiday loan should support a planned budget, not replace one.
Local Branches & Getting Started
Sunset Finance and Flight Finance have local branches serving communities throughout South Carolina and Georgia.
Use the online branch locator to find the closest location, view its contact information, and speak directly with a local team member.
A branch associate can answer questions about:
- Available loan amounts
- Required documentation
- Collateral
- Monthly payments
- Loan terms
- The application process
- Your individual situation
Contact Your Local Branch
