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How To Write a Business Plan For a Loan

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Getting the funds you need is a critical step for any new business . Many startups rely on business loans to get off the ground, but securing that loan hinges on a strong business plan . This plan acts as a roadmap for your small business by outlining your goals, strategies and financial projections . It convinces lenders of your viability and increases your chances of getting approved.

While writing a business plan might seem intimidating, understanding its key components and how lenders evaluate them can empower entrepreneurs to create a persuasive document. Here's what you need to know.

Do you need a business plan to get a loan?

Absolutely. A business plan is essentially a detailed loan proposal. It addresses the questions lenders have about your business, showcasing its potential and your preparedness. It demonstrates the time and effort you've invested in planning and research, building confidence in your venture.

If you want to borrow money to fund your company, then, you need a business plan that's detailed and requires a plethora of information. It tells the lender the business type, target market, strategies and more. It also reveals how you plan to make money, your projected expenses and expected revenues. Before taking on this challenging task, you must learn how to write a business plan .

Key elements of loan-focused business plan

Creating a business plan for a loan takes time, thought and effort. And it needs to contain the following components:

Executive summary

Even though the executive summary is the first paragraph in a business plan , it's the last section you should write. The executive summary summarizes the main points of your plan and tells the lender why it should invest in your business idea . It's a snapshot of your business's highlights and states how much money you want to borrow.

You can choose a business plan template for loan requests to simplify the plan's writing process instead of starting from scratch. Many templates suggest including your mission statement in the executive summary . The core goal of this initial section is to spark the lender 's interest in your company. If you can do that, the lender will continue reading it.

Company description

This section tells the lender your business type and the industry it's in. It allows business owners to highlight their previous work, jobs and skills to demonstrate experience in the field. It states where your business will operate and who will run the company.

This section also provides the ideal opportunity to explain your commitment to the startup . Be as transparent and detailed as possible when describing this new endeavor. The number one goal of this section is for the lender to fully understand what your business does. Describing the business model you plan to use is also helpful, along with the growth plan you propose if you are successful.

Products or services

Every business sells products, services or a combination of both. Selling something — whether it be a product or a service — is how a business generates revenue. Start by describing in detail what your business will sell. Next, highlight the features that set your products and services apart from those of your competitors. List the patents or copyrights of your goods, if applicable, and list the things your business needs to operate. For example, you might need a building from which to operate or equipment to produce products.

Market analysis

Creating a business that offers a unique product or service is nearly impossible today. As a result, your business will likely compete with other businesses. You must address this by presenting a competitive analysis of your venture’s business goals and how it will stand out from others in the field.

What other local businesses have similar products or services? How do you plan to attract some of this market? Do you own relevant intellectual property that may help you to achieve success?

Include the results of your market research in the market analysis section of your business plan . You might include some details about your target customers, such as their demographics, and your planned pricing . Finally, include a brief synopsis of your marketing plan in this section..

Competitor analysis

Lenders want to know if your business will succeed before they approve your loan proposal. Therefore, they want to know that you've thoroughly researched your competition. You can list your competitors in this section, including their products and services, and what you see as your competitive advantages over them.

Next , give a more detailed analysis of what differentiates your services and products from theirs. What is unique about your company? What advantages will your company have over its competitors? Keep in mind that lenders base loan decisions on risk levels. If the lender can't see the need for your business's products, they might turn down the loan. The goal of this section is to convince the lender that there is a demand for your company's products and services..

Marketing plan

Next , include specific details about your marketing strategy , including financial plans . How much money will you spend on marketing efforts? What methods will you use? How do you know they'll be effective? Marketing is a massive part of a business strategy, so your plan must answer these questions.

Operational plan

The operational plan explains how you'll execute your business startup to the lender . It reveals more details about your company's location, its target market and the equipment and software you'll use. Additionally, it explains the processes you'll use to produce or sell your goods.

Management structure

A business plan must also list your management team . You might be the sole owner of the business, but will you work alone? If not, who will work for you?

Not only should you list colleagues’ names, but you should also describe each person's experience, skills and qualifications. Additionally, explain staffers’ roles, duties and responsibilities and the hierarchy of the management structure.

Funding request

The purpose of writing a business plan is to request a loan. Therefore, you must include your funding requirements in the business plan . How much money do you want to borrow? How will you spend it? You should explain in detail how you will spend the funds, as this validates your need for the loan. The lender can see if you have a clear plan and if the plan makes sense.

Financial projections

This next section outlines your company's projected profitability, which is vital for repaying the money you borrow. Lenders spend a lot of time reading through the financial parts of a funding request .

When writing this section, begin by stating your projected annual revenues for the next three to five years. Next , include income statements to highlight your company's potential net profits. You can also include forecasted balance sheets , which help the lender see your assets, liabilities and capital. Graphs and other elements can be useful in this section.

Be sure to cover how business financing will allow your plan to flourish. Including a break-even report is helpful. This metric reveals how much you must sell to cover your expenses. For a lender , it reveals safety margins, helping lenders assess risk levels.

This section offers a place to add supporting documents to the plan. It should contain a list of your business licenses and permits needed to operate the company. You can also include your management teams ' resumes and a copy of your lease agreement for the space you'll rent. Include any other documents the lender might want to see, such as contractor or business arrangements.

Many businesses hire lawyers to create their business entities. Include these legal documents if you created a business entity. If you haven't created one yet, you should consider which type to use. An LLC is a good option, as it provides tax benefits and liability protection. You can look for the best LLC loans if you choose this route.

How lenders score your business loan application

You submit a business plan to secure funding, but a lender must approve the plan before you receive the loan. Lenders determine how to respond to business loan requests by analyzing the business plans they receive. To do this, they look at five primary things.

Your character reveals intangible qualities about you and those who will work with and for you. Lenders look for integrity and honesty and try to answer the question, "Is this person trustworthy?"

Lenders analyze your personal credit history and assess your credit score to determine your creditworthiness. In addition, lenders evaluate your job experience, reputation and qualifications. They also look at your previous endeavors to determine the risk level associated with offering you a business loan.

Lenders spend a lot of time analyzing a borrower's ability to repay the money they borrow, and they call this capacity. Are you capable of repaying the money if they approve the loan? To determine the answer, your lender will thoroughly review your projected revenue.

Additionally, lenders analyze the forecasted financial statements , including such financial information as cash flow statements . Lenders review the products and services you'll offer to ensure there is demand and consider your funding request and your plans for using it.

Next , the lender looks closely at your capital. They want to see how much money you have invested in the business and compare it with the amount you're requesting.

Your investment shows your level of commitment. A large investment into your business startup shows the lender you're serious about making it work. It also tells them you've researched it, worked hard on planning it and expect to make a good profit from it. Therefore, make sure your business plan clearly indicates your investment amount.

In addition to your investment, the lender wants to know what you can offer as collateral. For example, you could offer the building you'll operate out of as collateral if you own it or have equity in it. You could also use equipment, machines or vehicles. Being willing to offer assets as collateral improves your odds of getting the loan.

Finally, lenders will look at the following conditions:

• Demand for your service: Proving a high demand for your products is critical to get a loan approved.
• Competition: Your lender will evaluate the competition and look for things that distinguish your business from your competitors.
• Trends and marketing strategies: Will there be a demand for your products in the future? If so, does your plan outline how you'll reach more people? Lenders look at your digital marketing strategies, as this is the newer trend. It also looks at your advertising strategies, including your website, SEO strategies and inbound marketing plans.

Summary of Money's how to write a business plan for a loan

Learning how to write a business plan for a loan is essential. Your chances of getting approved for startup funding are significantly higher with a clear, thorough and well-researched business plan. Your plan should contain a comprehensive description for each section, allowing the lender to learn as much as possible about your business endeavor. After submitting it, the lender will use the 5 Cs to analyze your loan proposal. A well-written and researched business plan is imperative for any new business startup or newly formed company that needs to borrow some cash.

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How to Write a Professional Business Plan for a Loan

• March 27, 2024

11 Min Read

So, are you thinking of getting a loan or funding to start an exciting business journey?

That’s great! But before you go any further, it’s very important to have a solid business plan in place.

Well, we understand that creating a successful plan for a loan can be a daunting task. That’s why we’re here to help you!

This investment-ready business plan template for loans will help you include all the essential elements in your plan, from summarizing your business concept to projecting the financial data. It not only impresses business loan lenders but also sets the stage for success.

Ready to get started? Let’s first understand how business plans will help you with loan proposals.

How business plans help in loan applications?

A business plan is a professional document that serves as a written loan proposal if you want to secure a loan for capital investment. It details every aspect of your business, including its concept, goals, market opportunity, and financial data.

Whether you’re a new entrepreneur or a small business owner, you’ll need a well-prepared business plan. It helps you persuade potential investors or lenders of its viability and potential for success.

Here are a few primary reasons why business plans are necessary in loan applications:

It helps you showcase your vision

A well-written business plan communicates your business vision effectively and allows you to demonstrate your clarity of purpose and strategic direction. It offers lenders a compelling narrative of what your business is aimed for and how it will achieve its goals.

It helps you prove your financial feasibility

Well, lenders need assurance that they’re making a wise investment. A detailed business plan presents them with realistic financial projections, along with how your business will earn money and repay the loan. This infuses confidence in lenders and convinces them that your business is a safe bet.

It helps you mitigate potential risks

Once you start your business, it naturally involves fair enough risks. However, a good business plan clarifies that you’re aware of those challenges and have backup plans or strategies to mitigate them. This shows lenders that you’ve considered different situations and keep contingency plans in place.

It helps you demonstrate your preparedness

A business plan shows lenders that you’ve carefully outlined every aspect of your business—from conducting market analysis to predicting finances. It assures that you’re serious about your business and well-prepared to manage the ups and downs of starting a business.

In short, having a solid business plan can be the cornerstone of a successful loan application that explains your business idea and how you plan to utilize the loan money to get started.

Now that you know how business plans help in a loan application, it’s time to check out and understand the key elements of a business plan for a loan template.

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Key components of a successful business plan for a loan

1. executive summary.

An executive summary is the first section of the plan, providing a concise overview of the entire business plan.

Generally, it is written in the last, as it summarizes the most important components you mentioned in your plan.

Since the potential investors or lenders would read this section first, make sure that you keep it simple, crisp, and compelling to build their confidence in your business. Also, it should not be more than 1 or 2 pages.

You may write your executive summary with a precise explanation of your business concept, the type of business you operate, and its status.

Here are a few primary elements you must add to your summary:

• Your company’s mission statement
• The product or service you intend to offer
• Market Opportunity
• Management team’s background and experience
• Growth plans or long-term objectives
• Financial projections and funding needs

2. Company Overview

As you’ll give a brief introduction in the executive summary, this chapter will expand on it, providing an in-depth understanding of your business.

Company description includes all the business-related facts, such as the startup concept, vision-mission statements, company location, etc. Also, it explains the problems or challenges you aim to solve.

In addition to that, consider answering a few questions that would help lenders to grasp the significance of your business:

• What is the legal structure of your business?
• Who is the business owner?
• Do you have any business partners?
• Why did you start this business, and when it was founded?
• What are your business accomplishments to date?
• Who will get benefits from your company’s product or service?

Note that the company overview section can be regarded as your extended elevator pitch.

So, it’s a good opportunity to present your business’s specific details and structural aspects that the financing partner needs to know.

3. Market Analysis

The market analysis section provides readers with a deep understanding of the specific industry or market in which you plan to serve.

This seems unnecessary but serves different purposes. Those who are looking to fund a franchise business should do some serious work for this section, as lenders will review it very closely.

To carefully draft this section, you should conduct thorough market research and industry analysis to define your target customers, industry trends, market demand, and competitors.

This will demonstrate that you understand the market dynamics and validate the demand for your products or services.

Here are a few elements you should include in your market analysis section:

• Ideal target market
• Market size and growth potential
• Customer segments
• Competitive analysis
• Emerging trends
• Applicable government regulations

4. Product or Service Offerings

In this section, you may provide a detailed description of your products and service offerings, along with their features, benefits, and pricing structure.

It helps you highlight what your business offers to its ideal customers, how your offerings will satisfy their needs and explains the value proposition of your products or services.

You may consider including these points in the product or service section:

• A brief description of your product & service
• Pricing details
• Intellectual property, copyright, and patent filings
• Quality measures
• Any additional offerings

5. Sales and Marketing Strategies

Your marketing and sales plan elucidates how you intend to market your products or services in greater detail. It helps you outline the marketing and sales strategies you’ll use to attract and retain potential customers.

The primary goal is to give a flexible and practical marketing and sales strategy that persuades the lenders you know how to advertise or develop a public relations campaign to reach the company’s revenue goals.

For a well-crafted marketing plan, you might consider adding the following details in your plan:

• Your target audience and brand positioning
• Detailed marketing strategy
• Sales and marketing goals and KPIs
• Sales and marketing budgets
• Customer retention plan

While reviewing your loan application, lenders would like to know how you plan to make money and how you overcome marketing and sales challenges, so ensure that this strategy is always relevant.

6. Operations Plan

The operations plan section provides a clear picture of your company’s day-to-day operations and activities. It is a detailed-oriented section that outlines how you’ll manage to run your business smoothly.

Also, operational excellence is necessary to achieve your goals, satisfy client commitments, and maximize results. So, try to mention your operational intricacies and showcase efficient systems and processes.

Here are a list of details you must include in your operations plan:

• Staffing & training
• Operational processes
• Inventory needs and supplies
• facilities & technology
• Regulatory compliance

By offering insights into these operational aspects, this section helps you instill confidence in lenders about your ability to effectively handle and grow your company.

7. Management Team

Your management team section introduces the key individuals who are responsible for driving your business ahead.

It helps lenders easily understand your team’s roles & responsibilities, educational qualifications, industry experience, and how you plan to compensate your leadership team.

Even this will assure lenders that your team is capable enough to navigate challenges, make informed decisions, and reach strategic objectives. Also, they feel confident giving you a loan—even if it’s your startup.

So, you may consider including the below information:

• Company owner profile
• Resume-styled summary of key executives
• Organizational chart
• Compensation plan
• Details of advisory board members(if any)

8. Financial Plan

A well-written and comprehensive financial plan is one of the most crucial sections of your plan, as it helps you prove to lenders your business’s financial health, growth potential, and ability to repay the business loan.

So, your financial analysis must include the projected financial statements for three years or more. The following are the key financial projections that you should add:

• Income statements
• Cash flow statements
• Capital expenditure budgets
• Balance sheet
• Break-even analysis
• Funding requirements

As well as you should also list hard or soft collateral if you possess it so that you can put it up to get a loan. Even lenders may request to add more granular data(such as cost of sales or cost per product/service).

Note that if you’re a startup and don’t carry enough data to highlight, consider including estimated costs, revenue streams, and other strategic future projections you may have.

9. Appendix

The appendix is the last section of a professional business plan that typically provides supplementary information and other supporting documents the lender may need for better understanding.

You may include the following details in an appendix:

• Business licenses and permits
• Contractual agreements or other legal documents
• Letters of reference
• Credit histories and tax returns
• Key managers’ resumes and certificates
• Product photos

By adding these details, you offer more detailed explanations or validation for your business plan, strengthening your discussions and claims.

What factors do lenders look for in a business plan

When you submit a business plan to secure funding, lenders will analyze it to evaluate the viability and creditworthiness of your loan application. Here are several key factors they look for:

Character of your management team

Lenders will assess a business’ character that includes subjective or intangible qualities like whether its owners or key executives are perceived as honest, competent, or committed. Also, they consider educational background, industry experience, skills, leadership capabilities, and credit histories. This can be critical for evaluating prospects as most lenders don’t wish to lend to whom they don’t feel trustworthy.

Your capability to repay loans

Loan officers also spend a lot of time analyzing the borrower’s ability to repay the loan. They will thoroughly examine the financial statements such as projected revenue, expenses, cash flows, growth plans, and loan payments. Further, lenders analyze the financial history to see how much revenue you have generated or how much profit you have made in the past.

The capital amount you’re seeking

While reviewing loan applications, lenders will go through your financial information that highlights how much funding you’re seeking, how much cash you carry on hand, and how much debt you have. Also, they assess your personal financial investments as a sign of commitment and seriousness. So, make sure your business plan clearly outlines your investment amount and funding needs.

Collateral or personal guarantees

In some cases, lenders may request collateral or personal guarantees to secure the loan. Thus, you should document any assets or valuable items you can offer as collateral or additional security. Even lenders may still approve your loan without collateral if you have a good credit history and a reliable business plan.

By understanding these key considerations, you can prepare a business plan that resonates with the lender’s interests and concerns. Now, let’s move to a few business plan examples for a loan.

Business plan examples for a loan

When you’re just venturing into your entrepreneurship journey, crafting a comprehensive business plan for a loan application can be overwhelming.

So, try to consider some sample business plan templates or resources to get started on the first draft of your plan. Here are a few business plan examples that you may find helpful:

• Sample business plan outline
• Small business plan template
• Comprehensive business plan writing
• Business Plan Workbook for Loan Applications

Start preparing your business plan

Finally, you understand the importance and key elements of drafting a business plan for securing a loan or funding. But it requires some extra effort to find success down the road.

If you’re still confused about where to start, Upmetrics could be a great choice. It’s a modern business plan app that helps entrepreneurs or small business owners create an actionable plan quickly.

With Upmetrics, you’ll get easy-to-follow guides, a library of business plan templates , AI support, a financial forecasting tool, and other valuable resources to streamline your entire business planning approach.

So, don’t wait and start preparing your business plan for a loan!

Build your Business Plan Faster

with step-by-step Guidance & AI Assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do i need a business plan to get a loan.

Of course, most lenders or financial institutes require a solid business plan, even if you are a well-established business. A well-crafted business plan helps you highlight every essential information about your business and demonstrate to lenders that you have a realistic plan in place to generate income and repay the loan.

Can I write a business plan myself?

Definitely, you can write a business plan by yourself. Also, you can get help from various resources available, including business plan templates and guides, to create a comprehensive plan. But, if you’re unsure or need assistance, you may consider having a business plan software or hiring a professional writer.

How long should my business plan be?

The length of your business plan should be concise and focused, typically depending on its purpose. A one-page business plan is a single-page document, a lean or mini business plan comprises 1–10 pages, while a comprehensive business plan can range from 15 to 35 pages and beyond.

What's the most important element of a loan-seeking business plan?

The financial plan is the most crucial element of a loan-seeking business plan, as lenders want to check realistic and well-structured financial forecasts that present your ability to repay the loan. Also, this section can make or break a lender’s confidence and willingness to raise capital.

What format should I use?

It’s essential to select a format that can effectively convey your business idea, strategy, and financial projections to the lenders. Following are a few common options to consider:

• Traditional text-based document
• PowerPoint or Keynote presentation deck
• Executive summary or a pitch deck

So, whatever format you choose, it should align with your preferences, the lender requirements, and the complexity of your business.

About the Author

Upmetrics Team

Upmetrics is the #1 business planning software that helps entrepreneurs and business owners create investment-ready business plans using AI. We regularly share business planning insights on our blog. Check out the Upmetrics blog for such interesting reads. Read more

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How To Write A Business Plan for A Bank Loan (3 Key Steps)

Wondering how to create a business plan that will wow your banker.

You're not alone.

Most entrepreneurs see writing a business plan as a gargantuan task – especially if they've never written one before.

Where do you start?

How do you calculate the financials?

How can you be sure you're not making a mistake?

And if you need a business plan for a bank loan, getting this document right is absolutely essential.

So here's what we recommend: simplify the planning process by breaking the work up into manageable, bite–sized steps. That way, you can focus on one section at a time to make sure it's accurate.

Here's a quick overview of the step–by–step process we guide entrepreneurs through when they sign up for LivePlan.

Step 1: Outline The Opportunity

This is the core of your business plan. It should give loan officers a clear understanding of:

• What problem you're solving
• How your product or service fits into the current market
• What sets your business apart from the competition

There are three key parts to this step:

The Problem & Solution

Detail exactly what problem you are solving for your customers. How do their lives improve after you solve that “pain point” for them?

We recommend actually going out and chatting with your target audience first. That way, you can validate that you're solving a real problem for your potential customers.

Be sure to describe your solution in vivid detail. For example, if the problem is that parking downtown is expensive and hard to find, your solution might be a bike rental service with designated pickup and dropoff locations.

Target Market

Who exactly are you selling to? And roughly how many of them are there?

This is crucial information for determining whether or not your business will succeed long–term. Never assume that your target market is “everyone.”

For example, it would be easy for a barber shop to target everyone who needs a haircut. But most likely, it will need to focus on a specific market segment to reach its full business potential. This might include catering to children and families, seniors or business professionals.

Competition

Who are your direct competitors? These are companies that provide similar solutions that aim to solve your customers' pain points.

Then outline what your competitive advantages are. Why should your target market choose you over the other products or services available?

Think you don't have any competition? Think again. Your customers are likely turning to an indirect competitor that is solving their problem with a different type of solution.

For example: A taco stand might compete directly with another taco stand, but indirectly with a nearby hot dog vendor.

Boost your chances of securing a loan

See how LivePlan can help you write a fundable business plan

Step 2: Show how you'll execute

This is where the action happens! Here you'll get into the details of how you'll take advantage of the opportunity you outlined in the previous section. This part demonstrates to banks that you have a strong plan to achieve success.

The three main components of this step include:

Marketing & Sales Plan

There can be a lot of moving parts to this one, depending on your business model.

But most importantly, you'll need to fully explain how you plan to reach your target market and convert those people into customers. A few example of what should be included:

• Positioning strategy. What makes your business both unique and highly desirable to your target market?
• Marketing activities. Will you advertise with billboards, online ads or something else entirely?
• Pricing. What you charge must reflect consumer demand. There are a few models to choose from, including ‘cost–plus pricing’ and ‘value pricing.’

This is the nuts and bolts of your business. It's especially important for brick–and–mortar companies that operate a storefront or have a warehouse.

You may want to explain why your location is important or detail how much space you have available. Plan to work at home? You can also cover your office space and any plans to move outside your house.

Any specialized software or equipment and tools should also be covered here.

Milestones & Metrics

Lenders and investors want to be confident that you know how to turn your business plans into financial success. That's where your milestones come in.

These are planned goals that help you progress your company. For example, if you're launching a new product your milestones may include completing prototypes and figuring out manufacturing.

Metrics are how you will gauge the success of your business. Do you want to generate a certain level of sales? Or keep costs at a certain level? Figuring out which metrics are most important and then tracking them is essential for growth.

Step 3: Detail your financial plan

This is the most crucial – and intimidating – part of any business plan for a bank loan. Your prospective lender will look especially close at this section to determine how likely your business is to succeed.

But the financial section doesn't have to be overwhelming, especially if you break the work into smaller pieces. Here are 3 items that your plan must have:

Simply put, this is your projections for your business finances. It gives you (and the bank) an idea of how much profit your company stands to make. Just a few items you'll need to include:

• Revenue. List all your products, services and any other ways your business will generate income.
• Direct costs. Or in other words, what are the costs to make what you sell?
• Personnel. Salaries and expenses related to what you pay yourself, employees and any contactors.
• Expenses. Things like rent, utilities, marketing costs and any other regular expenses.

Exactly how will you use any investments, loans or other financing to grow your business? This might include paying for capital expenses like equipment or hiring personnel.

Also detail where all your financing is coming from. Lines of credit, loans or personal savings should be listed here.

Bankers will be giving this section a lot of attention. Here's what you'll need:

• Profit & Loss. This statement pulls in numbers from your sales forecast and other elements to show whether you're making or losing money.
• Projected Balance Sheet. This is likely the first thing a loan officer will look at: it covers your liability, capital and assets. It provides an overview of how financially sound your business is.
• Projected Cash Flow. Essentially, this statement keeps track of how much money you have in the bank at any given point. Loan officers are likely to expect realistic monthly cash flow for the next 12 months.

Don't forget the Executive Summary

The Executive Summary is the first section of your business plan, but we recommend you tackle it last.

It's basically an introduction to your company, summarizing the main points of your plan. Keep it to just one or two pages and be as clear and concise as possible.

Think of it as a quick read designed to get the lender excited about your business.

If you need help writing your plan

Not everyone feels confident writing a business plan themselves, especially if it's needed to secure a bank loan.

And although you don't need an MBA to write one, getting your business plan right often does require quite a bit of work. So if you need help writing your plan, here are two options to consider:

• Hire a professional business plan writer to do it for you. This is typically the most expensive route, but worth it if you're pursuing $100,000 or more in capital.
• Sign up for LivePlan. It's business planning software that walks you through a step–by–step process for writing any type of plan. It's an affordable option that also gives you an easy way to track your actuals against your business plan, so you can get the insights you need to grow faster.

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How to Write a Business Plan for a Loan

Business plans are often required when applying for funds from venture capitalists or other private investors, but even if you are seeking a bank loan for your company it is very helpful to prepare one since the lender wants to be confident that he is taking on an investment with growth potential so that you can repay the loan.

In this article, you will learn about the types of business loans, the importance of the business plan in your application for a loan, and how to write a business plan that will help you get the funding you need for your company.

Download our Ultimate Business Plan Template here

What Is a Business Loan?

A business loan is funding that is provided by a financial institution to a company for it to carry out its day-to-day operational activities. It also supports the purchase of equipment, refinancing of debt, and other purposes. Small businesses might need these loans because they may not have enough funds to buy equipment, refinance debt, or because they encounter financial difficulties.  

Your Loan Application

You can apply for a commercial loan with your local bank, credit union, Small Business Administration (SBA) lender, or community development financial institution like Capital Impact. You should expect that the lender will ask you detailed questions about all aspects of your business to ensure that he or she is lending you money that will be repaid.

In addition, if you are looking to purchase a business or commercial real estate, the lender may ask for additional information and documentation to assess your qualifications and ability to repay the loan.

Before applying for a business loan it can be helpful to research different types of loans so you understand what is available and what you will need to pay attention to in your loan proposal.

Common Types of Business Loans

There are many types of loans for small businesses, including:

• lines of credit
• commercial mortgages
• equipment financing

Contact different lenders in your area to see what kind of loan terms they offer and if their interest rates are within your budget.

What is a Business Plan?

A traditional business plan is a document that provides an analysis of the present situation and future financial projections for a company. It includes details about the owners, management team, customers, location of the business, finances, marketing plan, and other information.

A comprehensive and well-researched business plan will help lenders make informed decisions about providing a loan for your business.

To help you get started, you can download our sample business plan for bank loan pdf .

Why Do You Need a Business Plan to Get a Business Loan?

A loan proposal business plan is your opportunity to show the lender you understand your business, its capabilities, and how it operates within the industry in which it competes. By putting together a clear and concise document that outlines all of this information, the lender should have a much easier time understanding how you have arrived at your numbers and where you are going in the future.

A business plan is also helpful to the lender because it provides an opportunity for him or her to ask you questions, further clarifying details that might not be clear from your application materials alone. This way the lender can walk away from the meeting with a good understanding of what he or she is loaning money to and how likely it is he or she will see the loan repaid.

How to Write a Business Plan to Get Approved for a Loan

Different lenders may ask for different sections of your business plan, but most require some combination of the following key elements.

1. Executive Summary

The Executive Summary is the first section of your business plan that a lender will read, but typically the last section written. It is very important because it acts as a snapshot of your business plan and allows the person reading to get an overview of what you are proposing.

The summary should include:

• A statement about why you need the business loan
• Details on how much money you want to borrow, when you will repay it, and interest rates
• A description of how the proceeds from the loan will be used
• Your business’s historical and projected financial information (again)
• The expected impact on your company and the industry as a whole if you are successful.

2. Company Description

In the Company Description, you should include basic facts about your company such as:

• What is the business structure (corporation, partnership, limited liability company (LLC), etc.)?
• How long has your company been in operation?
• What is the size of your workforce?
• What accomplishments or milestones have you achieved within the last year?

This section should also include information about your future business plans.

• How do you plan to expand, if at all?
• Who are your main competitors and how is your company different from them?
• What changes will you make to excel against these competitors?

3. Industry Analysis

In the Industry or Market Analysis, you should include information about your industry in general.

• What are the strengths and weaknesses of your industry?
• How will your company compete in it?
• What trends within the industry affect its future success or potential struggles?

You may also include information about your specific niche in the market. If your company operates in a very specific area of the industry, be sure to highlight it.

4. Customer Analysis

The Customer Analysis section of your business plan helps a lender understand who your customers are and why they will buy from you.

In this section, you should include information on the following:

• Your target audience and the individual customer segments
• How many potential customers you have within your target market
• How much your customers typically spend, and how much you expect them to spend in the future
• What has caused these changes or trends to occur and how they will impact your business

5. Competitive Analysis

This section should show the competitive landscape and how you plan to compete against your competitors.

• What are their strengths?
• Where do they fall short?
• What changes will you implement to get ahead of them?
• What are your company’s competitive advantages over these competitors?

6. Marketing Plan

This section should include a detailed description of the marketing strategy you plan to implement.

• What is your customer acquisition cost? How much will it cost you to bring in one new customer?
• How will you reach these potential customers? Be specific about your marketing strategy, advertising methods and costs.
• Who is responsible for implementing each part of the marketing plan and how much it is expected to cost?

7. Operations Plan

Your Operations Analysis should describe the way your company currently operates and how it will operate with the help of the loan.

• What are your company’s strengths? Weaknesses?
• What have you implemented in the past 12 months that has led to increased revenue, decreased costs, or improved efficiency?
• How will you continue to operate efficiently with the proceeds?

8. Management Team

In the management section, you should describe your business in terms of its personnel structure.

• What are the responsibilities of each person on your team?
• Who are they? What are their qualifications?
• How will their roles change when you receive the loan proceeds?

9. Financial Plan

This section should include your company’s financial statements include the projected income statements, projected balance sheet, and cash flow statements for the next 3 – 5 years.

You can assume that you will receive loan proceeds in 20XX, so plan accordingly.

Include a five-year break-even analysis and an explanation of how you arrived at your income statement and cash flow projections. Don’t forget to include interest and loan payments in your financial projections.

10. Appendix

In this section, you will include the supporting documents for the claims within your business plan. This section should include:

• A loan agreement
• A list of all applicable business licenses, permits, etc. that your company holds or has applied for

You may also include:

• An organizational chart for your company
• The resumes of the members of your management team
• The resumes of any employees who will be making a significant impact on your business with the loan money
• Copies of contracts, leases, and other agreements that are relevant to your business plan
• Complete financial statements and projections if you only include a summary in the Financial Plan section

These documents should be attached to your business plan in a separate file if they are not included and may need to be submitted with the final small business loan application.

Tips for Writing a Business Plan for a Loan

To have a successful business plan and loan application, you need to know exactly what information your loan officer is looking for and how to find it.

• Before you submit your application, be sure to carefully edit and proofread it for errors. Errors in a business plan may lead a lender to question your attention to detail, so make sure it is polished and error-free.
• Always be sure to include an executive summary of the main points of your plan at the beginning, as some loan officers may not read all of the details.
• Be sure to keep your tone professional and business-like.
• Include detailed financials, market analysis, and other crucial information.
• Remember that any omission or inaccuracies will be carefully scrutinized by a lending officer, so be sure you have all of the necessary documents before submission.
• Finally, remember that lenders often appreciate creativity and outside-the-box thinking when it comes to business plans, but don’t let it distract from the necessary information for your application.

Writing a good business plan is one of the most important and necessary steps toward securing a loan or other source of capital.

Use our proven business plan template provided below, and you’ll be able to give your lender all of the information they need to make an informed decision.

The key is to do it right. By following the steps outlined above and including all of the necessary documents (and editing/proofing your application), you should significantly improve your chance of securing a loan for your business.

How to Finish Your Business Plan in 1 Day!

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With Growthink’s Ultimate Business Plan Template you can finish your plan in just 8 hours or less!

Other Helpful Business Plan Articles & Templates

How to get a business loan in 6 steps

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Key takeaways

• The type of business loan you choose depends largely on why you need the loan and what you’ll be using it for.
• Lenders set their own qualifications for business loans, including time in business, personal and business credit score, annual revenue and collateral.
• The application process may vary depending on the lender and type of loan, and the funding time can range from a few days to 90 days or more.

Getting a business loan requires careful research and consideration to make sure you’re choosing the best funding option for you. Different loans serve different purposes, so researching loan options is a good starting point.

You’ll also need to make sure that you meet the lender’s requirements for credit score, time in business and cash flow, ensuring that your business can easily handle loan repayments. Let’s walk through the process of choosing and applying for a business loan step by step.

1. Choose a type of loan

The type of business loan you choose depends largely on why you need the loan and what you’ll be using it for. You might need a business loan to:

• Purchase equipment, assets or real estate
• Restock inventory
• Fund the development of a product
• Pay for an emergency expense
• Keep payroll and accounts payable up to date despite gaps or delays in revenue
• Draw from as needed for small- or medium-sized purchases

You’ll see many types of business loans on the market, and each comes with its own advantages and disadvantages. Take a look at some of the most common business loans and what they’re best used for.

2. Decide how much you can afford to borrow

At the end of the day, how much you can afford to borrow depends on the wiggle room in your business finances. You want to use business profits to make repayments on the loan.

To find out whether your business can afford a loan, many lenders will use something called a debt service coverage ratio (DSCR). The ratio essentially figures your business’s yearly cash flow divided by the cost of the loan.

DSCR = annual net operating income / total annual debt, including principal and interest

Many lenders won’t consider any business with a DSCR below 1.25, and the higher the number, the stronger you look.

For example, let’s calculate your DSCR if your annual net operating income is $500,000 and your loan’s yearly principal and interest is $225,000.

Step 1. Find your annual net operating income. Calculate your business revenue minus operating expenses.

Step 2. Calculate the yearly cost of your loan , including principal and interest. Use our business loan calculator to help you.

Step 3. Divide the annual net operating income by the annual loan cost.

$500,000 / $225,000 = 2.2222222

Here, your DSCR is 2.2, a number that shows a strong ability to repay the loan you’re vying for.

3. Check your eligibility

Requirements across lenders vary widely because lenders set their own qualifications for business loans . Brick-and-mortar banks tend to work with businesses that have a strong financial profile. Alternatives like online lenders may lower their qualifications, helping startups and business owners with subprime credit get a business loan.

Lenders may set requirements for:

Time in business

Traditional banks may require one to two years of business under your belt to qualify. Alternative and online lenders may fund businesses as young as six months old. Taking time to get your business on solid financial ground will help when making loan repayments.

Personal and business credit score

Since many small businesses don’t have established credit, lenders often use your personal FICO score to get a picture of your creditworthiness. For the best interest rates, most banks will look for a score of 680 or higher.  Online lenders may drop to the 500s to approve businesses with bad credit for a loan.

Once you’ve built up your business’s credit profile, lenders may rely on your business credit score to approve a loan. Your business credit score will range from 0 to 100 (or 0 to 300 with the FICO Small Business Scoring Service). The score factors in your company’s size, payment history, industry and other debts. A strong business credit score could mean that you don’t need to guarantee the loan with your personal assets.

Annual revenue

Most lenders require you to meet a minimum amount of revenue to prove you have enough cash flow for a loan. Requirements are different based on the lender and type of loan. Some lenders go as low as $40,000, while others set the annual revenue at $100,000 or more.

Collateral or personal guarantee

Since small businesses pose a higher risk to lenders, many lenders require you to secure the loan with assets like business equipment. Another way to secure the loan is to sign a personal guarantee , which allows the lender to seize your personal assets if you default on the loan. Some lenders require both.

Bank relationship

Relationships can make a big difference in managing your business finances and getting a loan. If your business finances are in a gray area, having an established bank relationship can help your business get approved for a loan.

And if you find yourself in a tight spot with repayments, your lender may be willing to work with you to defer payments or restructure the loan. You can start your banking relationship by opening a business bank account at your preferred bank.

4. Compare small business lenders

Once you’ve narrowed down the type of loan you need, you can compare lenders side by side to find the best small business loan for you. Take a look at the following types of lenders that offer small business loans.

Both traditional banks and online lenders offer wide-ranging loan amounts, anywhere from $5,000 to $600,000 or more. However, the interest rates are where you’ll see a real difference. Maximum interest rates for online lenders can range from 30 percent to 100 percent — much higher than you’ll see with banks.

Banks and credit unions

Banks and credit unions can offer APRs between 5.5 to 12 percent for conventional loans and lines of credit, though the exact rate varies based on your business’s financial standing.

Many banks also offer loans backed by the U.S. Small Business Administration. As of April 2024, SBA loans have interest rates between 11.50 to 16.50 percent, and you can secure loan amounts up to $5 million. Repayment terms may also stretch out longer than conventional loans, ranging from five to 25 years.

Community Development Financial Institutions

Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) are a network of organizations that offer financial services and educational support to underserved communities. Each CDFI serves a specific target group for the purpose of building up the community, and they often accept customers with poor or no credit history.

If you’re part of an underserved community, working with a CDFI could help you build a sustainable business through funding, mentorship and additional resources.

Minority Depository Institutions

Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs) are financial institutions in which minority individuals own most of the stock or the board of directors are mostly minority individuals. Many MDIs focus on serving minority communities, providing business loans to entrepreneurs who are historically underserved in the banking industry.

5. Gather required documents

Lenders not only need to know your business’s financial standing and legal status, but they also want documentation on how you plan to use the loan and its expected effect on your business. When you apply for a business loan, your lender should have a full list of required documents . Some of the documents you should have ready to go include:

• Personal documentation. Your lender may request information about your finances, background, other sources of income and resume. If you have a business partner or co-owner, you must include their information too.
• Business plan. While not every lender will require a business plan, having one is beneficial. Your business plan should outline how you intend to use your loan funds and how additional financing will benefit your business. You should also include how the funds will improve revenue and your ability to repay the loan.
• Business financial statements. Most lenders require two years of income tax returns, balance sheets, profit and loss statements, bank statements and cash flow projections to determine if your business can repay a loan.
• Legal documents. To prove ownership and your business’s status, you’ll need to provide business insurance, a business license and any other legal documents pertaining to your business.

6. Apply for a business loan

Most lenders — both banks and online lenders — offer online applications that require minimal initial paperwork. With some banks, you’ll go in person to apply for the loan. In this case, you may want to contact the bank for a list of required documents ahead of time.

Once your application is received, the lender should be in contact within a few days to discuss your business’s eligibility and any additional paperwork required. But, the exact amount of time until you get the funding can vary depending on the lender and type of loan.

Every lender is different. Some may take only a few days to review your application. Others may take weeks. Many online lenders boast funding in as little as one to two business days. An SBA loan can take 30 to 90 days or more to fully process.

However, since the average application requires basic documentation, you can have a Small Business Development Center review it. They can give you tips, advice and strategies on improving your application — and thus your chances for approval.

Bottom line

If you’re considering applying for a business loan, you first need to decide what type of loan your business needs, how much you can afford and if your business meets the minimum qualifications.

Reach out to lenders you have worked with in the past or banks you already have a relationship with to discuss the process. You could also meet with a business advisor or a member of a Small Business Development Center in your area to learn more about what your business may qualify for.

Frequently asked questions

How hard is it to get a business loan, what disqualifies you from a small business loan, how long does a business loan take to get.

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• Growing Your Business

How to Write a Business Plan for a Loan Application

October 18, 2023 | Last Updated on: December 11, 2023

By Nick Andrews

View more articles by author

In this article, we cover:

Why business plans are important

Components of a business plan, nuances of a business plan.

Writing an effective business plan can improve the chances of your loan application being approved. Lenders have criteria by which they evaluate business loan applications, and a business plan can show them that your risk fits their appetite.

A business plan is an opportunity for you to show the lender your professional experience and that you are a serious business operator. By highlighting your skills and a plan to repay your loan within the framework of a business plan, you are justifying to the lender that they should consider your request to borrow money.

A business plan is comprehensive and has several components to it. Alternatively, a more streamlined business plan approach might work for certain loan applications. We will cover both of these types of business plans and cover the nuances of preparing your business plan.

Think of a business plan as the foundation of your business; a pathway for how to structure, run, and grow your business. It is a way for you to think through key elements of running your business. A good business plan highlights you, the leadership team, the business itself, the market opportunity, revenue projections, and funding requests.

Business plans are important because most lenders will require a business plan as part of the approval process. Once your business plan is complete, you can use it for different business loan applications (although you might have to tweak and adjust it based on lender specifications). It can also guide you through different stages of operating your business. For example, a business plan can help you lay the framework for starting, managing, and growing your business.

A well-constructed business plan will improve the chances of having your business loan application approved.

Generally speaking, a traditional, comprehensive business plan is what you should plan on preparing for your business. However, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) suggests that in certain situations an alternative, lean startup version of a business plan can be applicable. Let’s review the components of both of these business plans:

Traditional Business Plan

A traditional business plan is more in-depth and is what most lenders will be looking for as it provides a comprehensive view of your business needs. The components are as follows:

• Executive summary : This high-level summary of each of the bullet points listed below will allow your reader to quickly understand your business and the opportunity. The executive summary is essentially the “elevator pitch” of your business plan. Make sure to include a mission statement that summarizes why your business exists.
• Company description: Provide detailed information on your company. Why does your company exist (you can build on the mission statement from the executive summary), what problem is it solving, who has the problem you are solving (i.e., who are your customers), where will you be located (if you plan on being a fully remote company, discuss that here), what competitive advantages do you have, and any other strengths that make you stand out.
• Market analysis : Demonstrate to the lender that you have done your market research by clearly describing the market opportunity and providing a competitive analysis. How much money do consumers currently spend on your product or service? Who are the existing players in the space and why are they currently successful or what have they failed to optimize? How do you plan on taking market share from them? What trends and themes are emerging in the space that makes you uniquely positioned to capitalize? In other words, who is the target market, and what is the opportunity to make money?
• Organization and management : Who is on your executive management team and how does the team uniquely position the company for success? Discuss previous successes, experience, etc. If you plan on taking your company public, has anyone on the management team guided a previous company public? How will your company be structured? Will you organize as an LLC or an S Corp, or maybe you will start as an LP but later transition to an S Corp. Show an organizational chart and include resumes for everyone on it.
• Service or product line: In this section of your business plan, discuss the specific products or services you will bring to market. What will you sell and how will it benefit your customers? If there is something unique or special about your offerings or intellectual property do you plan on filing for a patent or copyright? If you are in the research and development stage, detail all plans and reports.
• Marketing and sales : What will your initial marketing plan and sales strategy be? How do you plan on letting your potential customers know that you exist (i.e., what marketing tactics and channels will you use?), what will you charge them, what is your pricing strategy, will you offer discounts, and how do you plan on retaining customers, up-selling customers, cross-selling customers, etc. This section should tie into your financial projections discussed below.
• Funding request : Here you will need to state how much money you are asking for. If your business loan application is approved, how will you deploy the loan amount you are asking for over the next couple of years? For example, what percentage of the funds will go to employee salary, rent, utilities, equipment, operations, travel, etc.? Think through all of your expenses and how you will use the money.
• Financial projections : Supplement the marketing, sales, and funding request sections with your financial forecasts. This is your opportunity to show the lender you have a solid, well-thought-through financial plan and show how you will be able to make your loan payments. How will your marketing and sales tactics drive revenue, how will that revenue grow over time, etc.? For an existing business, you will need to include additional financial statements and financial information. This additional information can include capital expenditure budgets, credit history, credit scores, income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements for the last three to five years. If you have other collateral you could put against a loan, such as real estate , you should include that information as well.

Lean Startup Business Plan

As described by the SBA , the lean startup business plan offers a high-level overview of your business. It is much faster to write, and only contains critical pieces of information about your business. For certain businesses, the lean startup plan might work as a replacement for the traditional business plan. For example, if your business is relatively simple or you want to quickly spin up a business plan to get the ball rolling with investors or lenders (they will likely ask for more information as the process progresses). Here are the key details to include in your lean startup business plan:

• Key partnerships : who are the people, businesses, strategic partners, contractors, sub-contractors, suppliers, etc that you will use to help you operate your business?
• Key activities : how will you operate the business that will make you different and effective? For example, are you going to do something a certain way that your competition currently does not do or has not thought of? How will you disrupt your market?
• Key resources : Touch on the assets and resources you will have to help you create market share. Do you have intellectual property, cash reserves, employees, a management team, real estate, etc that will create a competitive advantage?
• Value proposition : what is the value you are bringing to your customers and how is it different from what your competitors are currently doing?
• Customer relationships : how will you nurture relationships with your customers? Touch on how you interact with your customers. For example, will customer interaction happen online, face to face, or both?
• Customer segments : what is your ideal customer profile? Describe the persona of who will be purchasing your product or service. How large is this pool of buyers?
• Channels : what channels will you use to communicate with your customers and what tactics will you implement? What is your marketing strategy? For example, will you use social media and communicate via live chat? Or will you use a combination of channels and tactics?
• Cost structure : describe what costs you will incur to operate your business (i.e. how will you deploy the capital you receive?) and ways you can maximize the impact of those dollars.
• Revenue streams : The most important component of this version of the business plan. How will your company make money? How long will it take for your company to make money? Do you plan on opening up additional revenue streams as you go?

If you are writing a business plan specific for SBA loans , the SBA has examples and templates of both types of business plans that you can review. Head over to the SBA’s web page on how to write your business plan to download and review examples of a traditional business plan and a lean startup business plan.

Your business plan can be used as the foundation of your loan applications. However, there are many different lenders and many different small business loan types . This means that you will be filling out many different types of applications each with different requirements. Although having one business plan template is a great place to start, your business plan is not a one-size-fits-all.

The nuances of a business plan lie with the loan application and it must be massaged to fit what the lender is looking for. For example, your business plan for an SBA 7(a) loan funded by an online lender will be different from a term loan funded by a traditional financial institution like a bank.

Business loan consultants

Business loan consultants are a fee-based service that can help a small business owner prepare a business plan for a loan application. The loan consultant can also identify the right loan product based on your situation. They can streamline the entire loan process by gathering the right documents, preparing applications, submitting paperwork, and working directly with the lender on any follow-up questions.

For entrepreneurs whose most precious resource is time, or first-time borrowers who are overwhelmed with the application process, a business loan consultant can be worth the investment. For more information, read our article How to Find Business Loan Consultants Near Me.

Getting Started

Once you have a business plan in place, and you are ready to move forward with obtaining capital for your business, you can begin the application process. There are many ways to get a business loan for your small business and Biz2Credit is a great place to start. Our helpful staff provides small business owners with exceptional customer service and will work hard to understand the needs of your small business, the intended uses for your loan, and the best terms that can be offered. Get in touch today to find out the small business loan financing that can help you.

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How to Write a SBA Loan Business Plan

A business plan is a crucial piece of any SBA loan application. It’s what lenders will look at most closely when approving a loan, so it should be organized, well planned and persuasive. Set yourself up for success by learning how business plans impact loan approval and which critical elements to include.

What is a business plan?

Many entrepreneurs talk about their business plan — whether it’s stored only in their minds or scratched on napkin — but truly savvy business owners take the to time author a well-written one. So what exactly is a business plan?

A business plan is a living document (meaning it can and should be updated as your business progresses) with a three- to five-year outlook into your business. It should provide an overall summary of where the business is headed, plans for growth and projected revenue. Business plans take time, research and due diligence, but the reward is organized and actionable steps to grow your business. In fact, companies with a formal written business plan see a  30 percent increase in growth  compared to those that don’t.

How does a business plan help you get an SBA loan?

Outside of your basic eligibility requirements ( see Chapter 2 for the 5 C’s ), your business plan is the top element lenders will review to determine your attractiveness as a borrower. Having a solid business plan with clear ideas makes it easier it is for banks to see that your business will be successful, and therefore that you’ll be able to repay the loan. However, business plans are not a one-size-fits-all endeavor. If you’re running an independent business or launching a start-up, the importance of your business plan carries additional weight and will be more carefully scrutinized. If you’re funding the purchase of a franchise, the competitive analysis and management sections will be more closely reviewed than others because the business model has already proven successful.

Writing a business plan can sound intimidating, but even a thorough plan only needs to be seven to ten pages. Check out our free  eBook  and business plan template to help guide you through the process, and keep reading for an overview of each section of the business plan.

The 10 Elements of a Business Plan

Whether you’re writing a business plan as a part of your SBA loan application package or not, there are 10 essential elements to include. Here’s a look at what those sections are as well what’s included in a complete plan.

Cover Page and Table of Contents

The cover page and table of contents of your business plan is a great way to show your lenders that you’re a professional and organized businessperson. These pages should be simple and straightforward, but you can (and should) make them your own by including your company’s logo.

What’s included in the cover page and table of contents?

• The business’s name and logo.
• Your contact information as the owner.
• A standard table of contents with page numbers.

Executive Summary

As the first thing that lenders will read in your business plan, the executive summary is the most important section. Here, you will introduce yourself to potential lenders or investors, so the overall tone should be professional, but it should also paint a positive picture about the business.

What’s included in the executive summary?

• An overview of the business idea, what problem it solves for consumers and how it fits into the market.
• How much the business will cost and how much funding you’re seeking.
• Plans for growth and why the business will be successful.
• Information about your business background.

Company Description

The company description is a closer look at how the business will function. This information is a good opportunity to show lenders you’ve thought through the day-to-day details and have a solid strategy in place. Consider the company description your extended elevator pitch.

What’s included in the company description?

• Your company’s name, mission and vision.
• An explanation of the business structure, including products sold or services provided.
• Any information regarding strategic partnerships.
• Business location and when it will open.
• Business goals and competitive advantages.

Market Plan and Analysis

The market analysis section should show readers your deep understanding of the market and your plan to be competitive. Those looking to fund a franchise should give this section extra attention, as lenders will be reviewing this information closely. This is also great space to use visuals to help support your story.

What’s included in the market plan and analysis?

• An industry overview and outlook, including trends, size and expected growth.
• Target market demographics and market research data.
• A marketing plan tailored to the audience you’ve identified.
• Competitive analysis.

Organization and Management

Depending on the size of your business, the amount of detail in the management section can vary greatly. Even if there are only a few people in leadership roles, an organizational chart is an effective way to show lenders how the management team will be structured. If you are your only employee (and plan to remain so), you can write a short paragraph explaining this as well as your qualifications.

What’s included in the organization and management section?

• A list of each management position including who will fill the role and their qualifications.
• Any additional information about how the management team will contribute to the success of the business.
• Information about the Board of Directors.

Service or Product

When describing your service or product in your business plan, it’s important to emphasize how your particular offering will meet a need for your target market. Try to think beyond providing a general description of what your company is selling and focus on how your company provides value to your customers.

What’s included in the service or product section?

• A detailed description of your product or service.
• Pricing details.
• Product research and development
• Intellectual property rights.
• An overview of the sales process and order fulfillment.

Marketing and Sales

The marketing and sales information in your business plan is all about how you’re going to connect with customers. Whether your strategy is to focus on advertising or inbound marketing, you should detail your plan here and explain why it makes sense for your target audience. You should also discuss how you plan to build and support your sales strategy.

What’s included in the sales and marketing section?

• Detailed marketing plan geared toward your target audience.
• Sales and marketing goals and KPIs.
• Budgets for both sales and marketing.
• A training plan for your sales team (if applicable).
• Revisit your pricing strategy.

Funding Request

Your funding request is an opportunity to tell lenders how SBA funding will help your business, as well as how your business will successfully repay the loan. Here, you should explain why you’re asking for small business financing as well as an overview of how the funds will be used.

What’s included in the funding request?

• An overview of your business.
• Financial information for current operations (if applicable).
• An outline of how much funding you need now and in the near future (up to five years).
• Detailed explanation of how the funds will be used.
• Strategic financial plans for the future.

Financial Projections

The information in the financial projections section of your business plan should cover three years of forecasted financial information. Keep in mind, you’re showing lenders how your business will perform by providing profit and loss, balance sheet and cash flow details. Remember, your business plan is a living document, so for your own benefit, you should continue to update this information even after funding.

What’s included in the financial projections section?

• Financial statements.
• An expenses budget, including both fixed and variable costs.
• A break-even analysis.
• A sales forecast for each service or product line.
• Historical financial data (if you own or are purchasing an existing business).

The appendix is the final section of your business plan, and is the best place to add any supporting documents. For example, if you had multiple pages of data to support your market analysis, you can include them here. You should reference which documents are in the appendix in earlier sections so lenders know where to find additional information.

What’s included in the appendix?

• Charts, graphs and data to support the information provided in earlier sections.
• Licenses and contracts with vendors or partners.
• Building permits.
• Resumes and professional certificates.
• Credit history.

Creating a written business plan may seem like an arduous task, but it’s a crucial step to obtain SBA financing. This living document can also help to guide you once you’re in business — keeping you on track, helping you to see what’s working and possibly what’s not. Taking the time to write a business plan now will help you find success down the road.

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Write your business plan

Business plans help you run your business.

A good business plan guides you through each stage of starting and managing your business. You’ll use your business plan as a roadmap for how to structure, run, and grow your new business. It’s a way to think through the key elements of your business.

Business plans can help you get funding or bring on new business partners. Investors want to feel confident they’ll see a return on their investment. Your business plan is the tool you’ll use to convince people that working with you — or investing in your company — is a smart choice.

Pick a business plan format that works for you

There’s no right or wrong way to write a business plan. What’s important is that your plan meets your needs.

Most business plans fall into one of two common categories: traditional or lean startup.

Traditional business plans are more common, use a standard structure, and encourage you to go into detail in each section. They tend to require more work upfront and can be dozens of pages long.

Lean startup business plans are less common but still use a standard structure. They focus on summarizing only the most important points of the key elements of your plan. They can take as little as one hour to make and are typically only one page.

Traditional business plan

Lean startup plan

Traditional business plan format

You might prefer a traditional business plan format if you’re very detail-oriented, want a comprehensive plan, or plan to request financing from traditional sources.

When you write your business plan, you don’t have to stick to the exact business plan outline. Instead, use the sections that make the most sense for your business and your needs. Traditional business plans use some combination of these nine sections.

Executive summary

Briefly tell your reader what your company is and why it will be successful. Include your mission statement, your product or service, and basic information about your company’s leadership team, employees, and location. You should also include financial information and high-level growth plans if you plan to ask for financing.

Company description

Use your company description to provide detailed information about your company. Go into detail about the problems your business solves. Be specific, and list out the consumers, organization, or businesses your company plans to serve.

Explain the competitive advantages that will make your business a success. Are there experts on your team? Have you found the perfect location for your store? Your company description is the place to boast about your strengths.

Market analysis

You'll need a good understanding of your industry outlook and target market. Competitive research will show you what other businesses are doing and what their strengths are. In your market research, look for trends and themes. What do successful competitors do? Why does it work? Can you do it better? Now's the time to answer these questions.

Organization and management

Tell your reader how your company will be structured and who will run it.

Describe the  legal structure  of your business. State whether you have or intend to incorporate your business as a C or an S corporation, form a general or limited partnership, or if you're a sole proprietor or limited liability company (LLC).

Use an organizational chart to lay out who's in charge of what in your company. Show how each person's unique experience will contribute to the success of your venture. Consider including resumes and CVs of key members of your team.

Service or product line

Describe what you sell or what service you offer. Explain how it benefits your customers and what the product lifecycle looks like. Share your plans for intellectual property, like copyright or patent filings. If you're doing  research and development  for your service or product, explain it in detail.

Marketing and sales

There's no single way to approach a marketing strategy. Your strategy should evolve and change to fit your unique needs.

Your goal in this section is to describe how you'll attract and retain customers. You'll also describe how a sale will actually happen. You'll refer to this section later when you make financial projections, so make sure to thoroughly describe your complete marketing and sales strategies.

Funding request

If you're asking for funding, this is where you'll outline your funding requirements. Your goal is to clearly explain how much funding you’ll need over the next five years and what you'll use it for.

Specify whether you want debt or equity, the terms you'd like applied, and the length of time your request will cover. Give a detailed description of how you'll use your funds. Specify if you need funds to buy equipment or materials, pay salaries, or cover specific bills until revenue increases. Always include a description of your future strategic financial plans, like paying off debt or selling your business.

Financial projections

Supplement your funding request with financial projections. Your goal is to convince the reader that your business is stable and will be a financial success.

If your business is already established, include income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements for the last three to five years. If you have other collateral you could put against a loan, make sure to list it now.

Provide a prospective financial outlook for the next five years. Include forecasted income statements, balance sheets, cash flow statements, and capital expenditure budgets. For the first year, be even more specific and use quarterly — or even monthly — projections. Make sure to clearly explain your projections, and match them to your funding requests.

This is a great place to use graphs and charts to tell the financial story of your business.  

Use your appendix to provide supporting documents or other materials were specially requested. Common items to include are credit histories, resumes, product pictures, letters of reference, licenses, permits, patents, legal documents, and other contracts.

Example traditional business plans

Before you write your business plan, read the following example business plans written by fictional business owners. Rebecca owns a consulting firm, and Andrew owns a toy company.

Lean startup format

You might prefer a lean startup format if you want to explain or start your business quickly, your business is relatively simple, or you plan to regularly change and refine your business plan.

Lean startup formats are charts that use only a handful of elements to describe your company’s value proposition, infrastructure, customers, and finances. They’re useful for visualizing tradeoffs and fundamental facts about your company.

There are different ways to develop a lean startup template. You can search the web to find free templates to build your business plan. We discuss nine components of a model business plan here:

Key partnerships

Note the other businesses or services you’ll work with to run your business. Think about suppliers, manufacturers, subcontractors, and similar strategic partners.

Key activities

List the ways your business will gain a competitive advantage. Highlight things like selling direct to consumers, or using technology to tap into the sharing economy.

Key resources

List any resource you’ll leverage to create value for your customer. Your most important assets could include staff, capital, or intellectual property. Don’t forget to leverage business resources that might be available to  women ,  veterans ,  Native Americans , and  HUBZone businesses .

Value proposition

Make a clear and compelling statement about the unique value your company brings to the market.

Customer relationships

Describe how customers will interact with your business. Is it automated or personal? In person or online? Think through the customer experience from start to finish.

Customer segments

Be specific when you name your target market. Your business won’t be for everybody, so it’s important to have a clear sense of whom your business will serve.

List the most important ways you’ll talk to your customers. Most businesses use a mix of channels and optimize them over time.

Cost structure

Will your company focus on reducing cost or maximizing value? Define your strategy, then list the most significant costs you’ll face pursuing it.

Revenue streams

Explain how your company will actually make money. Some examples are direct sales, memberships fees, and selling advertising space. If your company has multiple revenue streams, list them all.

Example lean business plan

Before you write your business plan, read this example business plan written by a fictional business owner, Andrew, who owns a toy company.

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How to Get an SBA Loan

3 min. read

Updated January 4, 2024

Founded in 1953, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has been a cornerstone of American entrepreneurship, helping businesses start, build, and grow.

As an independent agency, the SBA partners with public and private organizations to offer a range of services, including invaluable and accessible loan programs.

In this comprehensive guide to SBA loans, we’ll explore the different types of SBA loans, what lenders are looking for, and how to navigate the application process. We’ll also delve into resources around disaster loans, ensuring you’re prepared no matter what comes your way.

• What is an SBA loan?

An SBA Loan is not a direct loan from the SBA itself. It’s a loan that has been made by a commercial lending partner (like a bank or credit union), but that the SBA has guaranteed for these partners and that has been structured according to SBA requirements. This helps to minimize the risk for both partners and borrowers. Typically, only those without reasonable access to other funding sources are eligible for such a loan.

Because loan guarantee requirements and practices are dependent on the US Government, changes to policies or economic conditions may change lending terms.

You can apply for an SBA Loan if you are part of a U.S. territory including the United States, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. If you are not part of any of these territories, there are a number of other funding opportunities available.

• Introduction to the SBA loan program

Check out these resources to learn the basics about the types of SBA loans, what you can use them for, and how to apply.

What types of loans does the SBA loan program offer?

The SBA offers a number of loan programs that are divided into four main categories: General small business loans, microloans, real estate loans, and disaster loans.

How to write a business plan for an SBA loan

While very similar to a traditional bank loan, there are specific things that you should highlight in your SBA business plan to improve your chances of qualifying.

• SBA disaster loan resources

This, of course, is a category that business owners never hope to find themselves in. Unfortunately, circumstances are not always in our control or favor, and the time may come when you need a loan to rebuild your business after a disaster. 

Check out our disaster loan resources to get to know this specific loan program.

What to do when you need an SBA disaster loan

Has your business been affected by a disaster? Do you qualify for an SBA disaster loan? Check out this overview of the program, the different types of applicable disasters, and how to apply.

Reasons why you don’t qualify for an SBA disaster loan

Was your application for a disaster loan denied? Learn why you may not qualify and what requirements you need to meet if you choose to apply again during a future hardship.

SBA loan templates and tools

Resources to help you prepare to apply for an SBA loan and pitch to lenders.

Free business plan template

Showcase your business structure, performance, and potential with a lender-ready and SBA-approved business plan.

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Free pitch deck template

Impress lenders with visuals to back up your business plan and loan application.

Maximize your chances of securing a SBA loan

Create and share your plan, pitch, and financial forecasts with a single powerful tool.

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Kody Wirth is a content writer and SEO specialist for Palo Alto Software—the creator's of Bplans and LivePlan. He has 3+ years experience covering small business topics and runs a part-time content writing service in his spare time.

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Home > Finance > Loans

How to Properly Write a Business Loan Request

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Have to submit a business loan request letter as part of your loan application? Not sure how to get started?

We don’t blame you. These kinds of letters aren’t as common as they used to be. While online lenders don’t usually ask for small-business loan requests, some traditional banks and credit unions still do. And if you apply for an SBA business loan (a loan backed by the US Small Business Administration), you’ll need a small-business loan request as part of your loan application package.

No matter which lender you’re applying with, this guide will help you write a strong business loan request letter―and to get the business loan you need.

How to write a business loan request letter

• Start with the easy stuff
• Write a brief summary
• Add information about your business
• Explain your financing needs
• Discuss your repayment plan
• Close the letter

1. Start with the easy stuff

Writing a loan request can feel overwhelming. After all, it’s not an everyday part of being a small-business owner. What do you say when applying for a bank loan? How do you write a business proposal for your loan application? What’s your lender even looking for in a business loan request letter?

That’s why we suggest starting your request writing process with the easy bits: formatting.

You’ll want to begin your business loan request with some pretty standardized formatting that includes your contact information, the date, your lender’s contact information, a subject line, and a greeting.

Typically, you’ll want to format the beginning of your small-business loan request roughly like this:

First and last name

Business’s name

Business’s phone number

Business’s address (this one is optional)

Lender name (or loan agent’s name and title, if you have one)

Contact information for your lender or loan agent

Subject line

Obviously you can simply plug in the relevant information for most of this. Easy peasy, right?

You’ll really only have to come up with your own subject line and greeting. But don’t overthink it. Something like this will work just fine for your subject line:

• Re: [Your business’s name] business loan request for [loan amount]

Likewise, keep your greeting simple. “Dear [lender]” or “Dear [loan agent]” will do quite nicely.

Got all that? Then you’re ready to get into the actual loan request.

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2. Write a brief summary

Before you dive into the meat of your loan request, you should give a brief summary of your letter. Just write a short paragraph that says why you’re writing and what you want.

So you’ll probably want to include the following details:

• Business name
• Business industry
• Desired loan amount
• What you’ll use the loan for

No need to get fancy with this. You’re trying to condense the most important information into one or two sentences.

For example, your summary might look something like this:

• I’m writing to request a [loan amount] loan for my small business in the [industry name] industry, [business name]. With this loan, [business name] would [describe your intended business loan use].

As you can see, you don’t need much detail here. You’re just giving the reader a quick overview of what’s to come.

And now that you’ve given them that preview, it’s time to get more in depth.

Remember, your lender isn’t here to grade your writing. Try to use good spelling, grammar, and punctuation―but don’t stress about crafting beautiful sentences.

3. Add information about your business

Your next section should add more detail about your business. You’ll want to include information like this:

• Business’s legal name (if different than name used)
• Business’s legal structure (LLC, partnership, S corp, sole proprietorship, etc.)
• Business’s purpose
• Business’s age (or date it began operating)
• Annual revenue
• Annual profit (if applicable)
• Number of employees

Now, keep in mind that you’re not trying to give your reader an encyclopedic history of your business. Instead, you’re trying to show that you have a well-established business―one that’s solid enough to deserve a business loan. So focus on relevant details that show your business’s maturity.

You can keep this section as short as a few sentences or as long as a few (brief) paragraphs. Just make sure you leave plenty of room for the next two sections.

4. Explain your financing needs

After discussing your business, it’s time to explain why you need a bank loan.

That means you’ll want to offer some details about how you plan to use your business financing. For example, you can talk about the employees you plan to hire, the building you want to expand, or whatever else you intend to do with your term loan .

Take note, though, that you also need to explain why your loan request makes sense. Because your lender doesn’t really care that you want a loan―it cares whether or not it makes sense to lend to you. You need to convince your lender that you have a good plan for your loan―one that will make it easy to repay the money you borrow.

Try to answer questions like these as you write this section:

• Why should your lender want to approve your loan application?
• What happens to your business if you get your small-business loan?
• What kind of growth will your business loan allow for?

Dig into your business plan and projections to find some good stats. Explain how hiring those additional employees will increase your revenue by a certain percentage or dollar amount. Break down how opening that add-on to your restaurant will allow you to seat a number of additional customers, and how much revenue you expect that to bring in.

The more specific you can get, the better. Because again, you’re trying to convince your lender that you’re borrowing as part of a thoughtful business plan ―not just because you want some cash.

And take your time with this part. In most cases, this section and the next one will form the meat of your business loan request letter. 

As a rule, you should keep your business loan request letter to one page.

5. Discuss your repayment plan

By this point, your lender should understand what your business does and why a loan would help it grow. Now you need to prove to your lender that you can repay your small-business loan.

This doesn’t mean you have to show precise calculations breaking down your desired interest rate and monthly payment. (After all, your bank probably hasn’t even committed to a specific interest rate yet.)

Instead, talk about things like your business’s past finances, other existing debts, and any projections can you offer.

So if you have a profitable business, point that out, and discuss how that will free up cash flow to repay your loan. Offer summaries of profit-and-loss statements that show your business has been growing. Tell your lender how you’ll pay off that existing loan within a few months, so they don’t need to worry about it interfering with repayment of your new term loan.

Put simply, this is your chance to convince your lender of your creditworthiness. Especially if you have a slightly low credit score or some other concern, you want to use this section to show that you will absolutely repay your loan.

6. Close the letter

Finally, you can add a few finishing touches.

Usually you should close with a short paragraph or two that refers the reader to any attached documents (like financial statements) and asks them to review your loan application.

You may also want to include a sentence expressing willingness to answer any questions―or just saying you’re looking forward to hearing back.

Then end things with your signature, list any enclosed documents, and you’re done!

Well, sort of.

At this point, we strongly recommend you print off your business loan request letter and read it―out loud, if possible. This will help you catch any errors. Because no, your lender isn’t a writing teacher, but you still want to make a good impression.

Plus, if you make typos on something like your business name or desired loan amount, that inaccuracy could lead to confusion from your lender―slowing down your loan approval process.

Once you’ve proofread your loan request letter, you’re ready to submit it to your lender. With any luck, your thoughtful letter will help convince your lender to give you that loan you want.

Loan proposal letter template

So how do all those steps look when you put them together? Something like this:

            First and last name

            Business’s name

            Business’s phone number

            Business’s address (this one is optional)

            Date

            Lender name (or loan agent’s name and title, if you have one)

            Contact information for your lender or loan agent

            Subject line

            Greeting

This first paragraph should summarize the rest of your letter. Keep it to just a couple sentences.

The next one to three paragraphs add more detail about your business. Include facts about its age, revenue, profit, employees, and other relevant information.

Then explain why you need financing and how you’ll use it to grow your business. This section can be a little longer (but remember your whole letter  should fit on one page).

Next, talk about how your business will repay your loan. You may want to mention how financial documents show your business’s financial health, for example.

Finally, close with a short paragraph or two that list any enclosed documents and invite the lender to consider your loan application.

Printed name

List of enclosed financial documents

That’s not so hard, is it? With this basic business loan request letter template, you can easily write your own personalized business loan proposal.

The takeaway

So there you have it―that’s how to properly write a business loan request.

Get your formatting right, include a short summary, talk about your business, explain your loan needs, prove you can repay your loan, and close things off. (And don’t forget to proofread.)

We believe in you. You can write this thing.

And good luck getting your loan application approved!

Don’t just tell your lender you can repay your business loan―make sure you can with our business loan calculator .

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How To Apply for a Personal Loan

Before you apply for a personal loan, apply for a personal loan, alternatives to a personal loan, the bottom line.

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Katie Miller is a consumer financial services expert. She worked for almost two decades as an executive, leading multi-billion dollar mortgage, credit card, and savings portfolios with operations worldwide and a unique focus on the consumer. Her mortgage expertise was honed post-2008 crisis as she implemented the significant changes resulting from Dodd-Frank required regulations.

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A personal loan can help you finance a wide range of expenses, such as unexpected expenses, debt consolidation, or large purchases like a new appliance or vacation.

Applying for a personal loan may seem intimidating, but it's fairly straightforward. Let's walk through the key steps for how to apply for a personal loan as well as actions you can take ahead of time to make the process go more smoothly.

Key Takeaways

• Determine how much money you need and the amount of monthly payments you can afford to pay so you avoid borrowing too much.
• Check your credit score and credit report to understand how lenders will view you as a borrower.
• Research lenders and then get pre-qualified to narrow your personal loan choices.
• Gather copies of required documents to save time.

When you apply for a personal loan from any lender, you’ll likely go through each of these key steps, which we review in more detail below:

• Determine how much you need : Is the loan for a home improvement ? A vacation? To consolidate debt ? Whatever the need, be sure you understand how much you need, as a first step.
• Review your finances : With an amount in mind, look at your financial situation. Can your budget support another monthly payment? How is your credit score?
• Research and compare lenders : Lender options are limitless. Narrow your options by starting with your current bank and researching lender reviews , including those from Investopedia.
• Pre-qualify : Most lenders will allow you to pre-qualify—without damaging your credit score. Go through the process with at least three lenders to review rates, terms, fees, and estimated payment amounts.
• Apply : Once you've selected a lender, complete a formal application.

Most loan applications take only a few minutes to complete (and funding can arrive the next day—or sooner). But the process before you apply can take a little longer.

Determine How Much You Need

Consider why you're applying for a personal loan and estimate how much you'll need to borrow. This is a key step in getting a personal loan. You can borrow between $250 and $100,000, so honing in on an appropriate amount will prevent you from borrowing more than you need. Later in the process, this information can help you narrow your options because permitted loan amounts and interest rates vary by lender.

Review Your Finances

Assess your finances to figure out what you can afford before you apply for the loan. Review your income and expenses to understand your budget , or how much money you have coming in and going out each month. Can your budget handle another monthly payment? How much can you comfortably add?

Check your credit score , too, because it will play a role in your loan eligibility and interest rate. Higher credit scores improve your odds of approval and allow you to qualify for lower rates. If your credit score is lower than you expected, review your credit report to see whether it includes errors that need to be disputed.

Research and Compare Lenders

Shop around with banks, credit unions, and online lenders to compare loan amounts, interest rates, terms, and fees. Review loan requirements, if they're available. For example, some lenders have a minimum credit score, income, or loan amount requirement, or only offer loans in certain states.

Read personal loan and lender reviews and ratings to help you zero in on the best personal loan lenders , and then rank your top choices. Interest rate is always a key consideration, but many borrowers say they are most satisfied when they work with a lender whose products, such as credit cards, savings accounts, and other types of loans, they already have, according to J.D. Power.

J.D. Power, an industry intelligence research firm, also found that, in the current climate of high interest rates, customer satisfaction with consumer loans is highest among those with the greatest levels of financial health and significantly lower among those who are overextended or financially vulnerable.

Lenders that ask for an upfront fee or that guarantee approval are often scammers.

Pre-Qualify

Most lenders offer pre-qualification that allows you to view the loan terms you are likely to be approved for. To pre-qualify, you usually only have to enter a minimum amount of information: your personal identifying information, income or employment details, and desired loan amount. The lender will review your information and do a soft credit check , which unlike a hard inquiry that will occur when you officially apply, won't affect your credit. A soft credit check can give you a preliminary decision, but keep in mind it doesn't guarantee you'll get approved.

With the preparation out of the way, and your choice of lender set, you can apply.

Many lenders offer online applications, which are quick and convenient. Some lenders, particularly traditional banks, may require you to apply in person. Either way, the loan application will ask for personal and financial information, like your name, home address, and employment information. You may have to provide additional documents, including your:

• State-issued ID
• Proof of residence
• Income documents, like a bank statement or pay stub

After you submit the application, wait for the results, which may be within minutes or may arrive in a few days. You'll receive a decision faster if your application is complete and free of errors.

If you're approved, the next step for how to apply for a personal loan is to review your final loan documents, then accept and sign them. Your loan documents will include the loan amount, interest rate, repayment term, and monthly payment amount. Within a few days of acceptance, you should receive funds in your bank account or in a check, if you opt for that method of payment.

Loan applications involve a hard credit pull , which can hurt your credit score. If you're shopping around with multiple lenders, your applications will be treated as one credit inquiry if they are made within a 14-day window. That limits damage to your credit score.

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If you need financing for a large expense but don’t want to use a personal loan, you can consider alternative options. Some of them include:

• Credit card installment plan : You can pay off large transactions with fixed payments with a credit card installment plan. If your purchase is eligible, you can select the installment plan option through your online account.
• Home equity loan or line of credit : If you use your home equity as collateral for a loan, you can usually get a lower interest rate. If you have enough equity and good credit, you can borrow a percentage of your home equity, typically no more than 80%.
• Savings-secured loan : You can use your savings account balance as collateral for a loan with a savings-secured loan. These loans are generally fixed-rate loans that may allow you to borrow up to 100% of the amount in your savings account. However, if you can’t afford to repay the loan, you will lose your savings to the lender.
• Family loan : Borrowing from family members can provide funds for your expenses, but this strategy does have downsides to consider. Late payments or unpaid loans can potentially damage your relationship.

How Much Can You Borrow With a Personal Loan?

You can generally take out a personal loan for up to $100,000, but several factors affect the amount you can borrow with a personal loan . Maximum amounts vary by lender and your state. Lenders will consider your credit history, ability to pay, and other factors to determine your loan amount.

How Long Does It Take To Get a Personal Loan After You Apply?

It can take several business days to get a personal loan . First, the lender will review and approve your application. You'll have to review and accept the loan agreement . After signing, you could receive your funds the next day or it may take several business days to receive your funds, depending on the lender.

Can You Return a Personal Loan If You Don’t Use It?

Depending on the lender, you may have a limited time to cancel and return a personal loan with no interest or penalty. Otherwise, if your lender doesn't offer the option to return your loan, you can pay it off immediately, although you may be subject to interest and prepayment penalties .

Does Your Credit Score Go Up After Paying Off a Personal Loan?

The impact on your credit score of paying off a personal loan depends on the information in your credit history. Your credit score may drop after paying off a personal loan if you don't have any other open installment loans on your credit report because it will affect your credit mix.

When preparing to apply for a personal loan, figure out how much money you need and the amount of monthly payments you can afford so you avoid taking out too large a loan. Next, check your credit score and credit report to understand how lenders will view you as a borrower.

Research lenders and get pre-qualified to narrow your lender choices. Finally, pull together copies of required documents to save time when you start applying to get a personal loan. Many lenders offer online applications, which are quick and convenient.

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5 takeaways from biden’s new student loan forgiveness date changes.

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WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 14: U.S. President Joe Biden returns to the Oval Office in the Rose Garden of ... [+] the White House on May 14, 2024 in Washington, DC. The Biden administration extended an important student loan forgiveness deadline earlier this week. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

The Education Department announced last week that borrowers will have more time to take advantage of a key Biden administration student loan forgiveness initiative.

The program, called the IDR Account Adjustment, can accelerate progress toward loan forgiveness under income-driven repayment plans by counting past loan periods that previously would have been ineligible. For some borrowers, this can result in immediate student loan forgiveness — and nearly a million borrowers have gotten their loans discharged , according to the latest data. For others, the program can shorten the time remaining on a borrower’s 20- or 25-year loan forgiveness term under IDR plans.

The adjustment can also benefit borrowers pursuing Public Service Loan Forgiveness. PSLF can result in a discharge in as little as 10 years for borrowers who pursue careers in the nonprofit or public sectors. More than 800,000 borrowers have now received loan forgiveness through PSLF, in part due to the benefits of the account adjustment. Parent PLUS borrowers can receive benefits under the account adjustment, as well.

While some borrowers will benefit from the program automatically, others must take specific action. With the latest deadline extension announced last week, there’s now more time to do so. Here’s a breakdown of what this means for borrowers.

More Time For FFEL Borrowers To Benefit From Student Loan Forgiveness Initiative

The benefits of the IDR Account Adjustment only apply to federal student loans held or administered by the government. This includes all Direct federal student loans, as well as some FFEL-program loans that may have been privately issued but have since been assigned or transferred to the Education Department.

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But commercially-held FFEL loans, school-held Perkins loans, and other federal student loans not administered by the department (such as HEAL loans) can only qualify for the IDR Account Adjustment if they are consolidated into a Direct loan. The deadline for borrowers to consolidate had been April 30. But the Biden administration’s latest extension pushes this deadline out to June 30 — giving FFEL and Perkins loan borrowers roughly eight more weeks to apply for a Direct consolidation loan .

More Time To Maximize Student Loan Forgiveness Credit For IDR Plans

But it’s not just FFEL and Perkins loan borrowers who may want to consolidate through the Direct loan program. Some Direct loan borrowers may want to, as well. That’s because the IDR Account Adjustment has some additional consolidation benefits.

Under the previous IDR rules, only time spent in an IDR plan would count toward the 20- or 25-year student loan forgiveness term. And borrowers who already accrued IDR credit would erase that progress if they were to consolidate those loans. But under the IDR Account Adjustment, borrowers can receive IDR credit for nearly any past period of repayment under any type of plan, as well as for certain deferment and forbearance periods. And borrowers who consolidate loans with different repayment histories can actually maximize existing IDR credit for the new Direct consolidation loan, if they apply to consolidate by the extended June 30 deadline.

Under the IDR Account Adjustment, “Assuming your repayment history overlaps for each loan, the consolidation loan will be credited with the longest amount of time in repayment of the loans that were consolidated,” says Education Department guidance . “For example, say you had 50 months of time in repayment on one Subsidized Stafford Loan and 100 months of time in repayment on another Subsidized Stafford Loan. If you consolidated those loans, you would receive credit for 100 months of payments on the new Direct Consolidation Loan.”

The consolidation deadline extension to June 30 gives borrowers more time to take advantage of this opportunity. Starting on July 1, borrowers who consolidate loans with existing IDR credit and enroll in the new SAVE plan will receive the weighted average of the IDR credit on the underlying loans — not the highest amount of IDR credit based on the loan that has the longest repayment history.

More Time To Maximize PSLF Benefits Under The Account Adjustment

Just like for IDR student loan forgiveness, the account adjustment also allows borrowers to maximize PSLF credit if they consolidate their loans by the new June 30 deadline. The Education Department would credit the new Direct consolidation loan with the highest amount of PSLF credit based on the underlying loan with the highest qualifying payment count.

“If you apply for consolidation by June 30, 2024, the adjustment will count periods of repayment on your loans prior to the consolidation toward IDR forgiveness and (for eligible borrowers) PSLF,” says the department’s guidance. “This differs from the earlier approach, in which consolidating your Direct Loans would reset your payment count to zero.” PSLF payment counts will temporarily be reset to zero upon consolidation, according to the department. But they will subsequently get updated again to reflect the benefits of the IDR Account Adjustment, as long as the borrower applied to consolidate by June 30.

Starting on July 1, Direct consolidation loans that repay federal student loans with existing PSLF credit would receive the weighted average of that PSLF credit, not the highest amount based on the loan with the most qualifying payments.

Borrowers who are pursuing PSLF must take the additional step of certifying their employment by using the online PSLF Help Tool. PSLF processing is currently suspended , but borrowers can still submit employment certifications during the temporary pause. The Education Department will resume PSLF processing this July.

More Time For Parent PLUS Borrowers To Pursue Student Loan Forgiveness

Importantly, Parent PLUS borrowers can also benefit from the IDR Account Adjustment. And the Biden administration’s deadline extension gives parent borrowers more time to take action.

Parent PLUS loans are generally ineligible for IDR plans. However, if they are consolidated into a Direct consolidation loan, they can qualify for Income Contingent Repayment. ICR plans tend to be more expensive than other IDR options, but they can be a lifeline for low-income parent borrowers.

Under the IDR Account Adjustment, time spent in repayment on Parent PLUS loans (as well as some deferment and forbearance periods) can count toward the 25-year IDR loan forgiveness term, and toward PSLF for qualifying borrowers. Many Parent PLUS borrowers would need to consolidate their loans through the Direct loan program to continue repaying their loans under an IDR plan, given that unconsolidated Parent PLUS loans are ineligible for IDR. However, parent borrowers should be careful about consolidating Parent PLUS loans with non-Parent PLUS loans, as that could restrict the new Direct consolidation loan to ICR only.

Student Loan Forgiveness Implementation Pushed To September

The consolidation deadline isn’t the only IDR Account Adjustment date that the Biden administration has moved. The anticipated implementation date has also been pushed out from July to September.

“The payment count adjustment is now anticipated to be fully implemented in September 2024” rather than July, said the Education Department in a recent statement. By that time, borrowers should be able to view their IDR progress (and determine how much time they have remaining before qualifying for student loan forgiveness) through a new dashboard on StudentAid.gov.

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How to start a candle business in 2024: 5 easy steps to selling candles from the comfort of your home

Starting a candle business can be an excellent source of additional income.

Small business owners fear they won't survive a second Biden term

Katlyn Swaffer and Maher Youssef explain how their small businesses have been affected by inflation and call on President Biden to address the issue.

Americans are rapidly working on side hustles as an additional source of income.

Fifty-four percent of Americans have begun a side hustle in the last twelve months, according to MarketWatch, as a means of making more money in addition to a primary source of income. 

All you really need to start a side hustle is an idea and an understanding of how to execute that idea. Taking a creative approach to your entrepreneurship can include a hobby-like business, and one of the more popular ones today is candle making.

Whether you have made a candle before or not, through trial and error, there are simple tricks to producing a product that is unique from what else is on the market.

One side hustle that can bring you extra income is a candle business. You can begin the business at home, selling online and at local craft fairs.  (David Crane/MediaNews Group/Los Angeles Daily News via Getty Images / Getty Images)

WANT TO MAKE MONEY OFF YOUR FLOURISHING GARDEN? HERE ARE 4 WAYS TO TURN YOUR CROPS INTO CASH 

You can make candles in your own home pretty easily. Here's a guide to get you started on your candle business. 

• Learn how to make candles from home
• Come up with a brand name, logo and label for your candles
• Write a business plan
• Register your business
• Decide how you are going to sell and get your business going

1. Learn how to make candles from home

The first step to starting your business is learning how to make candles. You'll need minimal supplies to get you started, including containers for your candles, wax, wicks and fragrance. 

It will take trial and error to perfect the look of your candle, the wick placement and the amount of fragrance you need for the perfect scent. If you want to add color to your candle, you'll also need to purchase dye. 

At first, the top of your candle may not appear totally smooth, your wick may be crooked, or you may not have enough fragrance for the scent. 

Practice makes perfect. The more candles you make, the better you'll get and the quicker you'll be ready to sell.  (Creative Touch Imaging Ltd./NurPhoto via Getty Images / Getty Images)

All the candles you make during your trial and error period can be gifts for friends and family because they probably won't be good enough to sell.

You could also buy wax molds to add uniqueness to your candles. 

TIPS FOR SELLING EGGS AND TURNING A PROFIT RIGHT FROM YOUR BACKYARD 

Once you have made numerous candles with success, you're ready to move to step two. 

2. Come up with a brand name, logo and label for your candles

You will need a unique brand name and logo for your business and a label for your candles. 

Your brand name should be something unique and memorable. You'll also want to create a logo for your business and a label to put on each of your candles. 

On each candle should be your brand name/logo as well as information about the candle itself, like the scent, instructions and safety information. 

3. Write a business plan

All businesses start out with a plan. 

A business plan is a document that describes the company and also highlights its goals. 

In a business plan, you can include elements like the mission statement, the products offered, the target audience of the company, marketing plans and financial information. 

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Your business plan is by no means set in stone. As your company grows and changes, your plan will, too. You can always make edits to your business plan when needed. 

4. Register your business

To run a business, you'll need to register it. The process varies depending on your state, so you'll need to look into the legal requirements where you live to avoid getting fined or having your business shut down. 

Once your business is registered, you'll receive an Employer Identification Number (EIN). This number is given to businesses for tax purposes.  

Also, make sure you obtain any necessary business licenses or permits in the state to legally operate your business. 

You'll want to have all these legal steps taken care of before you start selling candles. 

Make sure to have the scent of the candle and the name of your business clearly displayed on each container.  (David Crane/MediaNews Group/Los Angeles Daily News via Getty Images / Getty Images)

5. Decide how you are going to sell and get your business going

Now, it's time to officially launch your business. 

You will need to determine a price for your candles. According to Forbes, you'll want to aim for a 25% to 50% profit margin, so keep that in mind when you are considering how much to charge. 

You should create a website for your business with your contact information for customers to reach out to you. You can also sell your candles through your own website. 

Another way to sell is through an online marketplace like Etsy. 

GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE 

It's also a good idea to start social media channels for your business. Include high-quality pictures of your product on these channels. 

Social media is not only a great way to market your business, but another way you can sell your candles. 

During the warmer months, consider buying a booth at a local craft fair to sell your products. This is a great way to spend some time outside while also speaking directly with customers. 

Understanding loan forgiveness options

How to qualify for student loan forgiveness, your guide to student loan forgiveness.

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• You can't get forgiveness with private student loans, unlike with federal ones.
• Certain federal student loan holders are eligible for forgiveness, such as nurses and teachers who meet specific requirements.
• Income-driven repayment plans offer forgiveness for a remaining balance after the payment term is up.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)  

Public Service Loan Forgiveness is a loan forgiveness program meant for those working in certain government or not-for-profit organizations. PSLF will be applied to the remaining balance that eligible borrowers have on their Direct Loans. Eligibility kicks in if you're working full-time for an eligible employer, and after the equivalent of 120 qualifying monthly payments have been made.

Teacher Loan Forgiveness (TLF)

The Teacher Loan Forgiveness program is designed for educators who don't have an outstanding balance on Direct Loans or Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP) loans, have been employed full-time for five consecutive academic years, have been employed at an elementary or secondary school, or educational agency serving low-income students, and lastly, the loans you're seeking forgiveness for must be from your minimum of five years of teaching.

Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) Forgiveness

An IDR plan restructures and bases your monthly student loan payment on your income and the size of your family, with the goal of setting up lower monthly payments. Under an IDR plan, at the end of your repayment term, any remaining balance will be forgiven.

Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program

The Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program (NCLRP) forgives educational debt for registered nurses, advanced practice registered nurses, and nurse faculty members.

Those who receive an award must have worked for at least two years in a critical shortage facility, or an eligible nursing school as a faculty member.

Perkins Loan cancellation and discharge

If you're an educator with a Federal Perkins Loan, it's possible to get 100% of your loan canceled incrementally. The following jobs are eligible for loan cancellation, under certain conditions:

• Elementary or secondary school teachers
• Special education teachers
• Preschool or Pre-K teachers
• Other educators
• Law enforcement
• First responders
• Nonprofit workers
• Those in the Military
• Health care workers
• Those who work with people with disabilities.

You may be eligible to get your Perkins Loan discharged if you've gone through any of the following life events:

• Certain types of bankruptcy
• School closure before you completing your program of study
• Total and permanent disability

Understand the specific requirements of each program

Every loan forgiveness program is different, and set up for different borrowers in different situations. Compare your options to identify your strongest chance for loan forgiveness.

Verify your loan eligibility

Even if you are in an eligible role for any of these forgiveness program, that doesn't mean the type of loan you have is eligible for loan forgiveness. 

Stay on top of your payments

For certain programs, such as IDR and PSLF, you are only eligible for loan forgiveness if you're up to date on your payments and your account is in good standing. 

Keep accurate records

To prepare your application and any questions the lenders may have, be sure to have all important documents on hand. That includes your employment verification, social security information, and other personal credentials. It also means keeping a record of your paystubs, payment history, and other relevant documents.

No, not all student loans are eligible for all programs. Be sure to check program details carefully.

The limit on how much student loan debt can be forgiven is entirely dependent on the program. PSLF, for example, may forgive the entire remaining balance.

Generally speaking, you have to pay taxes on forgiven student loans. Consult a tax advisor for specific details.

Private student loans are rarely forgiven, unless otherwise handled through specific employer programs. Most forgiveness is for federal loans.

Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews, or recommendations expressed in this article are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards .

Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.

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The Education Department is extending a key student loan forgiveness deadline and delaying the relief rollout.

Borrowers now have through June 30 to consolidate certain types of federal student loans to qualify for the one-time income-driven repayment (IDR) account adjustment , which counts more past periods of repayment toward IDR forgiveness. The account adjustment will be fully implemented in borrowers’ accounts sometime in September.

So far, the Education Department has approved roughly $51 billion in IDR account adjustment forgiveness for more than one million borrowers — including a recent wave of $1.9 billion in forgiveness for 39,200 longtime borrowers, announced on May 22.

The new consolidation deadline lengthens the program’s timeline by two months. Previously, the consolidation deadline was April 30, and the account adjustment was slated to wrap up by July 1.

“The department is working swiftly to ensure borrowers get credit for every month they’ve rightfully earned toward forgiveness,” U.S. Under Secretary of Education James Kvaal said in a statement.

Though the delay means a second chance for borrowers who didn’t consolidate by the previous deadline, it may also mean the Education Department is buying itself some time to finish implementing the forgiveness, says Karen McCarthy, vice president of public policy and federal relations at the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators.

“They don't expect to finish their work as early as they thought they were, so the window to apply to consolidate into the [direct loan] program has now been extended a little bit as well,” McCarthy says.

These types of loans require consolidation by June 30 to qualify for the maximum benefits of the IDR account adjustment:

Commercially held FFELP loans . (These are part of the Federal Family Education Loan Program; most federal student loans taken out prior to 2010 fall into this category.)

Federally held FFELP loans, but only if you're working toward Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) . 

Perkins loans . 

HEAL loans .

Parent PLUS loans in repayment for less than 25 years (or 10 years, if eligible for PSLF). 

Direct loans with different past payment counts.

If your loans aren’t on this list, you likely don’t need to take action to benefit from the IDR account adjustment — you’ll automatically get forgiveness either by the end of September, or sooner than you otherwise would.

“Without this extension, millions of borrowers who could benefit from the IDR account adjustment will be cut off from relief. For many, this extension could make the difference between being debt-free and years of additional payments,” says Persis Yu, deputy executive director and managing counsel at the Student Borrower Protection Center, a nonprofit organization that advocates for student debt relief.

Don’t count on another deadline extension. If you need to consolidate your loans to benefit from the IDR account adjustment, here’s how to do it by June 30.

Check your loan types

Confirm which types of loans you have before attempting to consolidate.

“The really challenging part for some borrowers is the first step in identifying all of the loans that you want to be included in the consolidation and who those loan holders are,” McCarthy says.

To start that first step, log in to your StudentAid.gov account. Once logged in, select “loan breakdown” from your dashboard to see a list of your loans, along with their names and servicers. If the loan says “Direct,” it’s a direct loan. If you have a different loan type, “FFELP,” “Perkins” or “HEAL” may be in the name. You can also see how long you’ve been paying your loans, and how much you owe.

If your servicer name starts with “Dept. of Ed” or “Default Management Collection System,” your FFELP loans are held by the government — not a commercial lender — so you don’t have to consolidate, unless you’re pursuing PSLF.

If your FFELP loans do not include either of those terms, they are commercially held and you must apply to consolidate by June 30 to get credit for IDR forgiveness.

Complete the consolidation application

The free consolidation application is available online at StudentAid.gov/loan-consolidation . When logged in, this online form will automatically populate most borrowers’ contact and loan information. Confirm accuracy. Next, you’ll be prompted to:

Select which federal loans you want to consolidate. 

Preview the amount of your new direct consolidation loan and its interest rate. 

Choose a repayment plan, even if you’ll be eligible for forgiveness. (If you aren’t eligible for forgiveness now, you’ll want to sign up for an IDR plan going forward to keep earning credit toward forgiveness. The form will direct you to the IDR application, which requires you to input or recertify your income information.) 

Choose a federal student loan servicer for your consolidation loan.

Provide contact information for two references who can be contacted if the Education Department is unable to reach you. 

The entire process can take less than 30 minutes, and it does not need to be completed in one sitting. For assistance or to apply for consolidation over the phone, contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 800-433-3243.

The loans you consolidate will be paid off and replaced with a single “direct consolidation loan.” The Education Department says most consolidation loans are disbursed to borrowers within 60 days of applying.

“It does take a little bit of time for the consolidation to go through,” McCarthy says. “Make sure that you understand that it will take some time, because the Department of Ed is literally paying off your previous loans.”

After consolidation, your payment count may temporarily show as zero in your StudentAid.gov account. Don’t worry: Your payment count will be accurately updated by September.

Sign up for an IDR plan if you don’t get forgiveness

If you’ve been in repayment long enough to qualify for IDR forgiveness, and you consolidate if needed, your remaining balance will be erased by the end of September and you won’t have to make further student loan payments.

Generally, you must have the following repayment history to qualify for forgiveness under the IDR account adjustment:

At least 10 years of repayment, if you qualify for PSLF. 

At least 20 years of repayment, if you have undergraduate loans only.

At least 25 years of repayment, if you have loans for graduate school or parent PLUS loans. 

You could also get forgiveness after 10 years of repayment if you originally borrowed $12,000 or less, as a result of the new IDR plan, called SAVE . You must enroll in SAVE to qualify for this accelerated forgiveness.

Even if you think you’ll reach forgiveness after the adjustment in September, it’s a good idea to make payments in the meantime. Any overpayments made after consolidation will be refunded.

If you haven’t spent the required amount of time in repayment, you must enroll in an IDR plan, like SAVE, to continue making progress toward IDR forgiveness. You’ll be much closer to forgiveness after the account adjustment, because it will count more past repayment periods — including forbearances and payments not made on an IDR plan — toward the time needed to earn IDR forgiveness.

Know the implications of consolidation

Consolidation is irreversible, so consider the pros and cons of consolidation before taking this action. Outside of the IDR account adjustment, consolidating certain types of loans can open the door to PSLF and IDR plans that can shrink your monthly bills. It can also simplify your payments if you have loans with multiple servicers. On the other hand, the process could lengthen your repayment period, which could increase the amount of interest you pay over time.

The following loan types require additional considerations, ahead of the June 30 consolidation application deadline.

Perkins loans

Think twice before consolidating your Perkins loans if you’re eligible for Perkins loan cancellation , which can forgive your debt if you work a public service job for at least four to seven years — much faster than PSLF or IDR.

The government shuttered the Health Education Assistance Loan (HEAL) Program in 1998, but some borrowers are still repaying old HEAL debt. Unconsolidated HEAL loans aren’t eligible for IDR plans or the account adjustment.

If you consolidate a HEAL loan by June 30, your new consolidation loan will get credit toward IDR forgiveness for the oldest non-HEAL loan it includes.

If you have HEAL loans only, you should still consolidate them if you want to access IDR plans or PSLF. After consolidation, your IDR forgiveness clock will start at zero.

Parent PLUS loans

If you’ve been repaying parent PLUS loans for at least 25 years (or 10 years if you, the parent, are eligible for PSLF), you should automatically get forgiveness of your remaining debt under the IDR account adjustment. You don’t need to consolidate.

If you’ve been in repayment for close to 25 years, but you’re not there yet, consolidate by June 30 to get IDR credit for past periods of repayment for the oldest underlying loan. To keep making progress toward forgiveness, you must enroll in the Income-Contingent Repayment (ICR) plan, which is the only IDR option for consolidation loans containing parent PLUS loans.

Consider consolidation carefully if you’re far from the 25-year finish line; the ICR plan could increase your monthly bills. Use the Education Department’s loan simulator to gauge different repayment scenarios.

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