Advance America is a nationally accredited short-term lender offering payday loans ($100–$500), installment loans ($100–$1,000), and title loans up to $25,000 in-store and online.
Editorially reviewed by Harvey Brooks
Advance America is a nationally recognized, fully accredited consumer lending company serving millions of customers across the United States through both physical branch locations and online channels. The Jacksonville location at 1020-14 N. Edgewood Ave. sits in the Commonwealth Village neighborhood west of downtown, between the I-95 and I-295 corridors just north of I-10. The branch employs Spanish-speaking staff, reflecting the company's commitment to bilingual service for the local community.
Advance America offers three core personal loan products at this location. Payday loans run from $100 to $500, structured as two-to-four-week short-term loans meant to bridge gaps between paychecks, available in-store or online. Installment loans range from $100 to $1,000 and are repaid in multiple scheduled payments over time — offering higher amounts and longer terms than payday loans. Title loans, offered in partnership with LoanCenter, range from $2,000 to $25,000 and use the borrower's fully paid-off, registered vehicle as collateral, with amounts based on appraised vehicle value. The store also provides Western Union services. Applicants need a government-issued ID, proof of income, a checking account, and a Social Security Number or ITIN.
With a 4.9 out of 5 star rating drawn from 125,396 customer reviews — and 200,000+ reviews on Google — Advance America demonstrates unusually high customer volume with consistently positive feedback. A referral rewards program incentivizes existing customers to recommend the service. The combination of in-store and online application options, same-day cash access, bilingual staff, and Saturday hours makes this branch accessible to a broad range of Jacksonville consumers.
Advance America is a legitimate, high-volume lender for consumers facing urgent short-term cash needs, but borrowers should understand the cost structure before committing. Payday loans carry industry-wide reputations for high annualized interest rates, and no APR information is disclosed on this store page. Title loans put the borrower's vehicle at real risk — a default can result in repossession. The installment loan product is comparatively more borrower-friendly due to its structured repayment schedule, but it remains a high-cost product. Consumers who have access to credit union loans, employer advances, or nonprofit assistance should exhaust those lower-cost options first.
See which lenders actually approve borrowers with bad credit. We compared APRs, fees, minimum scores, and funding speed.
Yes. Advance America is a registered company headquartered in 25015 Van Dyke Ave, Center Line, MI 48015. They hold a NR rating with the Better Business Bureau.
CreditDoc Diagnosis
Advance America is best suited for consumers facing an immediate, short-term cash shortfall who have steady income, a checking account, and no access to lower-cost credit — or vehicle owners with a clear title needing a larger lump sum. The central caveat is cost: payday and title loan products are among the most expensive forms of consumer credit, and no APR or fee information is provided upfront on the store page, making true cost comparison difficult before applying.
Public data from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Source: consumerfinance.gov | Last checked 2026-03-26
Michigan-based non-profit credit counseling firm offering free budget analysis and debt management services across Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, and Detroit since 1986.
Best for: Michigan residents struggling with multiple debt types who prefer in-person counseling relationships, Individuals with tax liabilities, judgments, or garnishment issues seeking comprehensive guidance
Learn what makes up your credit score, how it's calculated, what the ranges mean, and how to check yours for free.
Read guide →Your credit report contains the raw data behind your score. Learn what's in it, how to read it, and how to dispute errors that could be dragging your score down.
Read guide →Klarna, Afterpay, Affirm — they make spending easy. But what happens to your credit score when you use them? Here's what the fine print doesn't tell you.
Read guide →New to credit and lending? Here are the key terms used on this page, explained in plain language with real-number examples.
The total yearly cost of borrowing money, including the interest rate plus any fees the lender charges. Think of it as the 'true price tag' on a loan.
Lenders must show APR by law (Truth in Lending Act) because the interest rate alone can hide fees. Comparing APR across lenders is the most reliable way to find the cheapest loan.
Example
You borrow $10,000 at 6% interest for 3 years, but there's a $300 origination fee. The interest rate is 6%, but the APR is 6.9% because it includes that fee. You'd pay $304/month and $946 total in interest.
Interest calculated on both the original amount borrowed AND the interest that's already been added. It's 'interest on interest' — and it makes debt grow faster than you'd expect.
Credit cards and many loans use compound interest. If you only make minimum payments, compound interest is why a $3,000 balance can take 15 years to pay off.
Example
You owe $1,000 at 20% annual interest compounded monthly. After month 1 you owe $1,016.67. Month 2, interest is charged on $1,016.67 (not $1,000), so you owe $1,033.61. After 1 year without payments: $1,219.
A special APR calculation used for military servicemembers that includes ALL costs — fees, insurance, and add-ons — capped at 36% by federal law.
The Military Lending Act protects active-duty servicemembers and their families from predatory lending. Any lender charging above 36% MAPR to military is breaking federal law.
Example
A payday lender charges a $15 fee per $100 borrowed for 2 weeks. For civilians, that's technically legal in some states. For military: that works out to 391% MAPR — illegal under the MLA.
The maximum interest rate a lender can legally charge in a particular state. Charging above this rate is called 'usury' and is illegal.
Usury laws are your main legal protection against predatory interest rates. But beware: some states have weak or no usury caps, and federal banks can sometimes override state limits.
Example
New York caps interest at 16% for most consumer loans (25% is criminal usury). If a lender tries to charge you 30% in NY, that loan is unenforceable — you could fight it in court.
An asset you pledge to the lender as security for a loan. If you stop paying, the lender can seize and sell that asset to recover their money.
Secured loans (with collateral) have lower interest rates because the lender has less risk. But you could lose your home, car, or savings if you default.
Example
A mortgage uses your house as collateral. A car loan uses your vehicle. A title loan uses your car title. If you miss payments, the lender can foreclose or repossess.
A charge added to your account when you miss a payment deadline. Most credit cards charge $29-$41 per late payment, and many loans have similar penalties.
The fee itself hurts, but the real damage is to your credit score. A payment 30+ days late stays on your credit report for 7 years and can drop your score 60-110 points.
Example
Your credit card payment of $150 is due March 1. You pay on March 18. The bank charges a $39 late fee. If it's 30+ days late, it gets reported to credit bureaus and your 760 score drops to 670.
A fee your bank charges when a payment bounces because there isn't enough money in your account. Also called a 'bounced check fee' or 'returned payment fee.'
NSF fees hit you twice — your bank charges you AND the company you were trying to pay may charge their own returned payment fee. That's $50-70 for one missed payment.
Example
Your auto-pay tries to pull $350 for rent, but you only have $280 in checking. Your bank charges $35 NSF fee. Your landlord charges $25 returned payment fee. Total damage: $60 in fees.
The practice of charging interest rates higher than what the law allows. Usury laws set state-specific caps on how much lenders can charge.
If a lender charges usurious rates, the loan may be void, penalties can be reduced, or you may be entitled to damages. Know your state's limits.
Example
Your state caps consumer loans at 24% APR. An online lender charges you 36%. That loan may be unenforceable, and you might only need to repay the principal — no interest or fees.
Using your credit card to get cash from an ATM or bank. It's one of the most expensive ways to borrow — higher interest rate, immediate interest accrual (no grace period), and an upfront fee.
Cash advances are a debt trap: 25-30% APR with no grace period plus a 3-5% fee. Interest starts the second you withdraw, not at the end of the billing cycle.
Example
You take a $500 cash advance. Fee: $25 (5%). Interest: 28% APR starting immediately. After 30 days, you owe $536.67. After 6 months of minimum payments, you've paid $85 in interest on $500.
Want to learn more? Read our Financial Wellness Guides for in-depth explanations and practical advice.
Affiliate Disclosure: CreditDoc may earn a commission when you click links to Advance America and other services. These commissions help us maintain our free research. Our editorial team independently evaluates all services. Compensation does not influence our ratings or rankings. Learn more.