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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 PtsiDgH6T/JEZ6iBrs2YQXVd31yGV/62L9l8JVeUB2usm56pnQjcIFTvNYzkp7qn
 AOcZtY9DDq2HN/7ep0Hm+g==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000897069-04-000618.txt : 20040312
<SEC-HEADER>0000897069-04-000618.hdr.sgml : 20040312
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040312183310
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000897069-04-000618
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040302
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040312

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ERNST KENNETH
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001283442

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-26680
		FILM NUMBER:		04667348

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2229 WASHINGTON VALLEY RD
		CITY:			MARTINSVILLE
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			08836

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			NICHOLAS FINANCIAL INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001000045
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SHORT-TERM BUSINESS CREDIT INSTITUTIONS [6153]
		IRS NUMBER:				593019317
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			FL
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0331

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2454 MCMILLEN BOOTH RD
		STREET 2:		BLDG C 501 B
		CITY:			CLEARWATER
		STATE:			FL
		ZIP:			33759
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8137260763

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2454 MCMULLEN BOOTH RD
		STREET 2:		BLDG C SUITE 501B
		CITY:			CLEARWATER
		STATE:			FL
		ZIP:			33759
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>sdc677_ex.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 3
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-03-02</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001000045</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>NICHOLAS FINANCIAL INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>NICK</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001283442</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>ERNST KENNETH</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>2229 WASHINGTON VALLEY ROAD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>MARTINSVILLE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NJ</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>08836</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>35666</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>400</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By Son</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>392764</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By Mahan Children, LLC</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>473818</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By Mahan Family, LLC</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Owned jointly with wife Nancy Ernst.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">The reporting person is the husband of Nancy Ernst, who is a manager and equity holder of the limited liability company that owns the reported securities.  The reporting person disclaims beneficial ownership of the reported securities except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Kenneth Ernst</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-03-11</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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