Frequently Asked Questions about One Percent for America

One Percent for America (OPA) is an independent national 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to reducing financial barriers to U.S. citizenship. As a digital-first organization, we use technology to expand access to opportunity nationwide. Through our innovative pay-it-forward model, we offer 1% interest loans to cover citizenship application fees. As loans are repaid, the funds are reinvested into new loans, creating a cycle of support that strengthens communities.    

But OPA is more than just loans. We’re committed to long-term economic empowerment. That’s why every loan comes with optional free financial resources for the borrower, helping immigrants build credit and lay a strong financial foundation for the future.    

One Percent for America is an affiliate of BlueHub Capital, a national nonprofit community development finance organization focused on building healthy, resilient communities. Together, we share a commitment to long-term economic stability, sustainable communities and inclusive growth.  

We welcome support from individuals, organizations, and companies across the country through loans, donations, and sponsorships. Every contribution helps lower the barriers to citizenship and build a more inclusive future.   To learn more about giving to One Percent to America, contact us at Partnership@onepercentforamerica.org or visit our donation page for more information.  

One Percent for America is an independent nonprofit.  We will never sell your personal information. Only pertinent information will be shared with our Partners or Sponsors as needed if required to complete a purchase, appointment, or application process that you request. This includes your bank for account verification when borrowing, and credit card processors for donations. Please see our privacy policy for details.

We would love to hear from you.   
For information or questions about our 1% Interest Loan  
You can email us at: SupportOPA@onepercentforamerica.org with any questions or feedback.   
 
You can also call customer service at 617-404-9797.   
We are available Monday - Friday from 9:00am - 5:00pm (EST).   
Our support is available in English and Spanish   

For information or questions about partnering with or donating to OPA, please  
email us at partnership@onepercentforamerica.org with any questions or feedback  
 
Our mailing address:   
One Percent for America
1785 Columbus Avenue, 6th Floor
Boston, MA 02119   
 
OPA is a digital-first organization and does not offer in-person or walk-in services.  

One Percent for America's 1% interest loan offers immigrants a convenient financial solution to cover USCIS citizenship application fees. Please note: OPA limits borrowers to one active loan per person.   

You are eligible if you:  

• Are 18 or older  
• Live in California, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, South Carolina, and Texas.*  
• Have a Social Security Number  
• Plan to apply for U.S. Citizenship in the next 60 days (Form N-400 or N-600)  
• Have a U.S. debit card and can make minimum monthly loan payments  
• Meet our minimum credit requirements. If you don’t meet them on your own, you may be eligible to apply with a qualified co-borrower.  If your application is not approved, you will receive a written notice explaining the reasons, as required by the Equal Credit Opportunity Act
• Can provide proof of income from a job, Social Security, a pension, disability payments or a similar source. If you cannot provide proof of income, you may still be eligible by applying with a qualified co-borrower.  
• Consent to receive all documentation electronically (based on state compliance requirements) ^
• Consent to having your credit pulled and reviewed  

You are eligible to be a co-borrower if you:  

• Are 18 or older  
• Live in California, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, South Carolina, and Texas.*  
• Have a Social Security Number    
• Can provide proof of income from a job, Social Security, a pension, disability payments or a similar source
• Have a U.S. debit card    
• Meet our minimum credit requirements.
• Can make monthly minimum payments  
• Consent to receive all documentation electronically (based on state compliance requirements) ^
• Consent to having your credit pulled and reviewed  

* One Percent for America loans are currently available to residents of the following states, California, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, South Carolina, and Texas. If your state is not listed, please sign up for updates.  

^ You agree to receive loan disclosures electronically. You have the right to request paper copies at no charge. You may withdraw this consent at any time, which may affect your ability to complete the application. 

If you are applying for U.S. citizenship using Form N-400 or N-600, you may be eligible for a 1% interest OPA loan. You can learn more about the loan and apply at www.onepercentforamerica.org/borrow.  

Once your application is submitted, approved, and loan documents are signed, your loan funds will be available by a Virtual Payment Card in the Loan Center. You will use your virtual payment card information like a debit card to pay for your citizenship application fee on the USCIS website.    

The repayment of your loan begins within 45 days of loan approval.    

If you need assistance during the application process, you can contact us by emailing us at supportOPA@onepercentforamerica.org or 617-404-9797 (Mon–Fri, 9 am–5 pm EST) 

OPA’s 1% interest loan is designed to help borrowers apply for citizenship now and pay the USCIS fee back over a year. No need to wait!  
  
Specific benefits include:    

Convenient: The ease of a 100% online application process.      

Build Credit History: Take advantage of this opportunity to establish or improve your credit score.   Your on-time payments will be reported to credit bureaus, helping to strengthen your credit profile.  

Save Time: Submit your USCIS citizenship application sooner and make monthly loan payments over 12 months while the USCIS citizenship application is being processed.      

Save Money: Make monthly payments on time and benefit from our 1% interest rate compared to other financing options like high-interest credit cards or payday loans.    

Easy & Flexible Repayment Schedule: A monthly repayment plan via self-pay on a preferred date.      

No Prepayment Penalty for Early Payback: Repay the loan early without incurring any penalties and save on interest.    

Dedicated Customer Support: Assistance is available in both English and Spanish. Other languages may be available upon request.      

Community Impact: Become a member of a nonprofit, community-driven organization that reinvests repayments to support more immigrants on their path to citizenship, fostering a cycle of empowerment and opportunity.    

You will need-    

• Your name, address, email, and mobile phone number  
• Your Social Security number  
• Payment information (debit card)  
• To meet our minimum credit requirements. If you don’t meet them on your own, you may be eligible to apply with a qualified co-borrower.
• Can provide proof of income from a job, Social Security, a pension, disability payments, or a similar source. If you cannot provide proof of income, you may still be eligible by applying with a qualified co-borrower.
• USCIS Citizenship Application Filing Fee Amount  
  • Loan funds can only be used to pay for your USCIS Form N-400 or N-600 application fee. The loan does not cover legal assistance or any additional immigration-related fees. Please note that USCIS application fees vary depending on whether you apply online or by mail using a paper application, and loan amounts are based on the applicable fee.   

No, not at this time. Each co-borrower must provide the name of their employer and proof of employment by uploading two most recent pay stubs, so self-employed applicants are not eligible.   

No. Borrowers may only have one active OPA loan at a time.    

Co-borrowers share equal financial responsibility for repaying the loan. It’s important to know that the co-borrower does not have access to the loan funds. Both the borrower and co-borrower must complete loan applications, meet eligibility requirements, and be prepared to make minimum monthly payments. On-time payments can build credit for both parties, while missed payments may negatively impact both credit scores. 

Proof of income can come from a job, Social Security, a pension, disability payments or a similar source.  

Examples documents to prove you have an income:  

•  Recent pay stubs (last 2–3)
• Tax returns (most recent year)
• Bank statements (showing consistent deposits)
• Official benefits/award letter (Social Security, disability, pension)
• Employment verification letter (from employer stating salary) 

Loan repayment begins within 45 days after your loan is approved, with payments due on the 1st of each month.    

 You will use a U.S. debit card to make monthly repayments on your loan. You will visit the Loan Center on the first of each month to make your payments. You or your co-borrower (if applicable) can also submit a one-time supplemental or catch-up payment at any time using a U.S. debit card. Both on-time and late payments will be reported to the credit bureaus, so it is important to make payments on time. Reach out to customer service if you anticipate difficulty paying -

You can contact customer service by emailing SupportOPA@onepercentforamerica.org or by phone at 617-404-9797.    
We are available Monday - Friday from 9:00am - 5:00pm (EST).    

All monthly payment activity is reported to credit bureaus, which may affect your credit score.  

If a monthly payment is not received within 15 calendar days after the due date, a late fee will be charged on the 16th day. The late fee will be $5.00 or 5% of the unpaid installment amount, whichever is less. Only one late fee will be charged for each missed payment.

If your account is more than 90 days past due, it will be considered in default. When this happens, the full past due balance must be paid within 30 days to avoid loan acceleration.

If your account is more than 120 days past due, your loan will be accelerated. When this happens, the full remaining loan balance including interest and outstanding fees must be paid within 30 days of receiving a notice of default. The APR remains at 1%. 

You can find your loan balance by visiting your Loan Center. You can also update your account information and make a payment in your Loan Center.   

Yes. You can cancel your loan as long as your Virtual Payment Card has not been used. Once the Virtual Payment Card has been used, the loan cannot be canceled. If your loan is successfully canceled, you will receive a refund by check for any loan payments you made.   

A Virtual payment card is similar to a debit card. This card will only be issued in the borrower’s name. Virtual payment cards will contain the exact amount of your approved loan. The card information can only be used to pay your USCIS application fees, whether you are paying online or by mail, and can only be used with USCIS. Your virtual payment card information is available in your Loan Center.

You can update your contact information in your Loan Center or by contacting customer service.   

Please contact customer service.   
We’re here to help if you have questions.  

• 617-404-9797 (Mon–Fri, 9 am–5 pm EST)  
• supportOPA@onepercentforamerica.org
• Support available in English and Spanish.  

Making your payments on time can help build your credit. If a payment is missed and your account becomes more than 30 days past due, it may negatively affect your credit.

If you have a co‑borrower, their credit will be impacted in the same way, on‑time payments can help their credit, while missed payments can negatively impact it.

When you apply for an OPA loan, a hard credit pull is required for the borrower as well as the   co-borrower (if applicable). A hard pull, also called a hard inquiry, may cause a small, temporary decrease in the credit score of the person whose credit is checked. This is normal and typically resolves over time.  

Having an OPA loan does not automatically prevent you or your co-borrower from taking out other loans. However:  

• Lenders may consider your existing loan balance and payment history when reviewing new loan applications.  
• Making on-time payments on your OPA loan can help boost your credit profile.  
• Late or missed payments could have negative impacts to credit and make it harder to get new credit.  

As long as payments are made on time, the loan should not negatively affect your ability to borrow in the future. In fact, on-time payments can help restore and strengthen your credit profile and credit score.   

Thank you! OPA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All donations are tax-deductible.      
To make a gift online, click here.    
Donations can be mailed to:    

One Percent for America c/o BlueHub Capital    
1785 Columbus Avenue, 6th Floor    
Boston, MA 02119    

Your donation helps immigrants overcome the financial barriers to U.S. citizenship.  In other words, it helps them afford the high fees (nearly $800 per person) 

required to submit their citizenship application.  What’s more, because of our unique pay-it-forward approach, your donation keeps working long into the future. As borrowers repay their loans, those funds are reinvested into new loans, creating a powerful, self-sustaining cycle where each immigrant helps the next. You can learn more here.  

Great! Please send an email to giving@onepercentforamerica.org so that we can process the matching donation.    

OPA sends an email receipt shortly after the donation is made; the receipt will come from supportopa@onepercentforamerica.org. Please check your junk email folder. If you still don’t find it, please email giving@onepercentforamerica.org. 

Please reach out to giving@onepercentforamerica.org    

OPA welcomes institutional support through philanthropic grants, program-related investments (PRIs), and sponsorships.  These partnerships play a critical role in helping us scale our loan program and reach more immigrants on their path to citizenship. To learn more about partnership opportunities, please contact us at partnership@onepercentforamerica.org.

We are always seeking partnerships with immigrant-serving organizations, workforce development programs, and businesses that want to expand access to citizenship and financial opportunity. Email us at partnership@onepercentforamerica.org.

As a first step, we recommend sending them the link to our 1% Interest Citizenship Loan program. If they still have questions, they can reach out to our customer service team.     
If you’re interested in sharing this resource more broadly within your community, please get in touch with our partnership team so we can learn more about your needs. We’re happy to provide materials and resources that you can distribute.      
 

The 1% loan is a unique and mutually beneficial option to add to your current suite of employee benefits. Our customizable program provides your eligible employees (and their family members) access to 1% interest loans for citizenship application fees. The program includes a suite of options including co-branded employee materials, in-person or virtual information sessions, and data and impact reporting to help you track engagement. To get started, contact us at partnership@onepercentforamerica.org.

While it is possible, OPA is extremely selective regarding any products or services we promote to our borrower community. Please send us an email with more information about your offering and we will reach out if there is a fit: partnership@onepercentforamerica.org