- Payday loans in Hays follow Kansas law (Kansas Consumer Credit Code, K.S.A. 16a-2-404).
- Borrowing $300 at the state maximum costs $45 (15% fee).
- The nearest larger city is Dodge, about 86 miles away.
Hays at a glance
| Hays | |
|---|---|
| Population (2024 Census estimate) | 21,213 |
| Change since 2020 | +0.3% (holding steady) |
| County | Ellis County |
| Size rank among 367 Kansas places we cover | 21st |
| Share of Kansas’s population | 0.7% |
| Nearest larger city | Dodge (about 86 miles) |
| Credit unions headquartered in town (NCUA) | None |
| Credit unions headquartered in Ellis County | 1 |
| Other towns within 25 miles | 5 (about 6,327 residents) |
| Typical payday APR statewide (CRL 2023) | 391% |
Whether you borrow at a storefront in Dodge or online from Hays, the lender must hold a Kansas license from the Kansas Office of the State Bank Commissioner and follow state limits.
Credit unions near Hays
No credit union has its main office in Hays, but these are based elsewhere in Ellis County (NCUA, June 2026):
- Ellis Credit Union in Ellis (state charter)
Only federal credit unions can offer payday alternative loans (PALs), capped at 28% APR; state-chartered credit unions often have their own small-loan products. Membership rules apply, and only main offices are listed here; find branches near you with the NCUA Credit Union Locator. See how PALs work.
Payday loan rules that apply in Hays
Key Kansas limits that apply to Hays borrowers: maximum loan: $500; maximum fee: 15% of the amount advanced; loan term: 7 to 30 days. See the full Kansas payday loan rules.
What a $300 loan costs in Hays
The Center for Responsible Lending put the typical APR on a $400 payday loan in Kansas at 391% (June 2023). For $300 at the state maximum, expect $45 (15% fee). Check any offer with our payday loan calculator.
Other help in Ellis County before you borrow
- Credit union payday alternative loans (PALs): $200–$2,000 at no more than 28% APR. Search for a federal credit union in Hays that offers them. See how PALs work.
- Your bank’s small-dollar loan, if it offers one. See bank small-dollar loans.
- Cash advance apps for $20–$500 based on your direct deposits. See apps compared.
- 211: call or text 211 for local help with rent, utilities and food.
Towns near Hays
The nearest larger city is Dodge, about 86 miles away. See all 367 Kansas cities.
Need cash before payday?Send one free request to our lender network. We are not a lender; offers and rates come from lenders.
Request a loanFrequently asked questions
Are payday loans legal in Hays?
Yes. Payday loans are legal in Hays under Kansas state law, and lenders must be licensed by the Kansas Office of the State Bank Commissioner.
How much does a payday loan cost in Hays?
At Kansas’s maximum fee, borrowing $300 costs $45 (15% fee). The typical statewide APR was 391% in 2023.
Where is the nearest credit union to Hays?
No credit union is headquartered in Hays, but Ellis Credit Union is based in Ellis, also in Ellis County.
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau — City and town population totals, Vintage 2024
- U.S. Census Bureau — 2024 Gazetteer files (place locations)
- NCUA — Credit union call report data, June 2026 (FOICU)
- K.S.A. 16a-2-404
- Center for Responsible Lending — Red Alert Rates: APRs on $400 single-payment payday loans (June 2023)
- CDFI Fund — NCUA payday alternative loans summary