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How to Write a Successful Business Plan for a Loan

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Table of Contents

What does a loan business plan include?

What lenders look for in a business plan, business plan for loan examples, resources for writing a business plan.

A comprehensive and well-written business plan can be used to persuade lenders that your business is worth investing in and hopefully, improve your chances of getting approved for a small-business loan . Many lenders will ask that you include a business plan along with other documents as part of your loan application.

When writing a business plan for a loan, you’ll want to highlight your abilities, justify your need for capital and prove your ability to repay the debt. 

Here’s everything you need to know to get started.

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We’ll start with a brief questionnaire to better understand the unique needs of your business.

Once we uncover your personalized matches, our team will consult you on the process moving forward.

A successful business plan for a loan describes your financial goals and how you’ll achieve them. Although business plan components can vary from company to company, there are a few sections that are typically included in most plans.

These sections will help provide lenders with an overview of your business and explain why they should approve you for a loan.  

Executive summary

The executive summary is used to spark interest in your business. It may include high-level information about you, your products and services, your management team, employees, business location and financial details. Your mission statement can be added here as well.

To help build a lender’s confidence in your business, you can also include a concise overview of your growth plans in this section.

Company overview

The company overview is an area to describe the strengths of your business. If you didn’t explain what problems your business will solve in the executive summary, do it here. 

Highlight any experts on your team and what gives you a competitive advantage. You can also include specific details about your business such as when it was founded, your business entity type and history.

Products and services

Use this section to demonstrate the need for what you’re offering. Describe your products and services and explain how customers will benefit from having them. 

Detail any equipment or materials that you need to provide your goods and services — this may be particularly helpful if you’re looking for equipment or inventory financing . You’ll also want to disclose any patents or copyrights in this section.

Market analysis

Here you can demonstrate that you’ve done your homework and showcase your understanding of your industry, current outlook, trends, target market and competitors.

You can add details about your target market that include where you’ll find customers, ways you plan to market to them and how your products and services will be delivered to them.

» MORE: How to write a market analysis for a business plan

Marketing and sales plan

Your marketing and sales plan provides details on how you intend to attract your customers and build a client base. You can also explain the steps involved in the sale and delivery of your product or service.

At a high level, this section should identify your sales goals and how you plan to achieve them — showing a lender how you’re going to make money to repay potential debt.

Operational plan

The operational plan section covers the physical requirements of operating your business on a day-to-day basis. Depending on your type of business, this may include location, facility requirements, equipment, vehicles, inventory needs and supplies. Production goals, timelines, quality control and customer service details may also be included.

Management team

This section illustrates how your business will be organized. You can list the management team, owners, board of directors and consultants with details about their experience and the role they will play at your company. This is also a good place to include an organizational chart .

From this section, a lender should understand why you and your team are qualified to run a business and why they should feel confident lending you money — even if you’re a startup.

Funding request

In this section, you’ll explain the amount of money you’re requesting from the lender and why you need it. You’ll describe how the funds will be used and how you intend to repay the loan.

You may also discuss any funding requirements you anticipate over the next five years and your strategic financial plans for the future.

» Need help writing? Learn about the best business plan software .

Financial statements

When you’re writing a business plan for a loan, this is one of the most important sections. The goal is to use your financial statements to prove to a lender that your business is stable and will be able to repay any potential debt. 

In this section, you’ll want to include three to five years of income statements, cash flow statements and balance sheets. It can also be helpful to include an expense analysis, break-even analysis, capital expenditure budgets, projected income statements and projected cash flow statements. If you have collateral that you could put up to secure a loan, you should list it in this section as well.

If you’re a startup that doesn’t have much historical data to provide, you’ll want to include estimated costs, revenue and any other future projections you may have. Graphs and charts can be useful visual aids here.

In general, the more data you can use to show a lender your financial security, the better.

Finally, if necessary, supporting information and documents can be added in an appendix section. This may include credit histories, resumes, letters of reference, product pictures, licenses, permits, contracts and other legal documents.

Lenders will typically evaluate your loan application based on the five C’s — or characteristics — of credit : character, capacity, capital, conditions and collateral. Although your business plan won't contain everything a lender needs to complete its assessment, the document can highlight your strengths in each of these areas.

A lender will assess your character by reviewing your education, business experience and credit history. This assessment may also be extended to board members and your management team. Highlights of your strengths can be worked into the following sections of your business plan:

Executive summary.

Company overview.

Management team.

Capacity centers on your ability to repay the loan. Lenders will be looking at the revenue you plan to generate, your expenses, cash flow and your loan payment plan. This information can be included in the following sections:

Funding request.

Financial statements.

Capital is the amount of money you have invested in your business. Lenders can use it to judge your financial commitment to the business. You can use any of the following sections to highlight your financial commitment:

Operational plan.

Conditions refers to the purpose and market for your products and services. Lenders will be looking for information such as product demand, competition and industry trends. Information for this can be included in the following sections:

Market analysis.

Products and services.

Marketing and sales plan.

Collateral is an asset pledged to a lender to guarantee the repayment of a loan. This can be equipment, inventory, vehicles or something else of value. Use the following sections to include information on assets:

» MORE: How to get a business loan

Writing a business plan for a loan application can be intimidating, especially when you’re just getting started. It may be helpful to use a business plan template or refer to an existing sample as you’re going through the draft process.

Here are a few examples that you may find useful:

Business Plan Outline — Colorado Small Business Development Center

Business Plan Template — Iowa Small Business Development Center

Writing a Business Plan — Maine Small Business Development Center

Business Plan Workbook — Capital One

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U.S. Small Business Administration. The SBA offers a free self-paced course on writing a business plan. The course includes several videos, objectives for you to accomplish, as well as worksheets you can complete.

SCORE. SCORE, a nonprofit organization and resource partner of the SBA, offers free assistance that includes a step-by-step downloadable template to help startups create a business plan, and mentors who can review and refine your plan virtually or in person.

Small Business Development Centers. Similarly, your local SBDC can provide assistance with business planning and finding access to capital. These organizations also have virtual and in-person training courses, as well as opportunities to consult with business experts.

Business plan software. Although many business plan software platforms require a subscription, these tools can be useful if you want a templated approach that can break the process down for you step-by-step. Many of these services include a range of examples and templates, instruction videos and guides, and financial dashboards, among other features. You may also be able to use a free trial before committing to one of these software options.

A loan business plan outlines your business’s objectives, products or services, funding needs and finances. The goal of this document is to convince lenders that they should approve you for a business loan.

Not all lenders will require a business plan, but you’ll likely need one for bank and SBA loans. Even if it isn’t required, however, a lean business plan can be used to bolster your loan application.

Lenders ask for a business plan because they want to know that your business is and will continue to be financially stable. They want to know how you make money, spend money and plan to achieve your financial goals. All of this information allows them to assess whether you’ll be able to repay a loan and decide if they should approve your application.

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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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A business plan is a document that explains what a company’s objectives are and how it will achieve them. It contains a road map for the company from a marketing, financial, and operational standpoint. Some business plans are more detailed than others, but they are used by all types of businesses, from large, established companies to small startups.

If you are applying for a business loan , your lender may want to see your business plan. Your plan can prove that you understand your market and your business model and that you are realistic about your goals. Even if you don’t need a business plan to apply for a loan, writing one can improve your chances of securing finance.

Key Takeaways

• Many lenders will require you to write a business plan to support your loan application.
• Though every business plan is different, there are a number of sections that appear in every business plan.
• A good business plan will define your company’s strategic priorities for the coming years and explain how you will try to achieve growth.
• Lenders will assess your plan against the “five Cs”: character, capacity, capital, conditions, and collateral.

There are many reasons why all businesses should have a business plan . A business plan can improve the way that your company operates, but a well-written plan is also invaluable for attracting investment.

On an operational level, a well-written business plan has several advantages. A good plan will explain how a company is going to develop over time and will lay out the risks and contingencies that it may encounter along the way.

A business plan can act as a valuable strategic guide, reminding executives of their long-term goals amid the chaos of day-to-day business. It also allows businesses to measure their own success—without a plan, it can be difficult to determine whether a business is moving in the right direction.

A business plan is also valuable when it comes to dealing with external organizations. Indeed, banks and venture capital firms often require a viable business plan before considering whether they’ll provide capital to new businesses.

Even if a business is well-established, lenders may want to see a solid business plan before providing financing. Lenders want to reduce their risk, so they want to see that a business has a serious and realistic plan in place to generate income and repay the loan.

Every business is different, and so is every business plan. Nevertheless, most business plans contain a number of generic sections. Common sections are: executive summary, company overview, products and services, market analysis, marketing and sales plan, operational plan, and management team. If you are applying for a loan, you should also include a funding request and financial statements.

Let’s look at each section in more detail.

Executive Summary

The executive summary is a summary of the information in the rest of your business plan, but it’s also where you can create interest in your business.

You should include basic information about your business, including what you do, where you are based, your products, and how long you’ve been in business. You can also mention what inspired you to start your business, your key successes so far, and your growth plans.

Company Overview

In this section, focus on the core strengths of your business, the problem you want to solve, and how you plan to address it.

Here, you should also mention any key advantages that your business has over your competitors, whether this is operating in a new market or a unique approach to an existing one. You should also include key statistics in this section, such as your annual turnover and number of employees.

Products and Services

In this section, provide some details of what you sell. A lender doesn’t need to know all the technical details of your products but will want to see that they are desirable.

You can also include information on how you make your products, or how you provide your services. This information will be useful to a lender if you are looking for financing to grow your business.

Market Analysis

A market analysis is a core section of your business plan. Here, you need to demonstrate that you understand the market you are operating in, and how you are different from your competitors. If you can find statistics on your market, and particularly on how it is projected to grow over the next few years, put them in this section.

Marketing and Sales Plan

Your marketing and sales plan gives details on what kind of new customers you are looking to attract, and how you are going to connect with them. This section should contain your sales goals and link these to marketing or advertising that you are planning.

If you are looking to expand into a new market, or to reach customers that you haven’t before, you should explain the risks and opportunities of doing so.

Operational Plan

This section explains the basic requirements of running your business on a day-to-day basis. Your exact requirements will vary depending on the type of business you run, but be as specific as possible.

If you need to rent office space, for example, you should include the cost in your operational plan. You should also include the cost of staff, equipment, and any raw materials required to run your business.

Management Team

The management team section is one of the most important sections in your business plan if you are applying for a loan. Your lender will want reassurance that you have a skilled, experienced, competent, and reliable senior management team in place.

Even if you have a small team, you should explain what makes each person qualified for their position. If you have a large team, you should include an organizational chart to explain how your team is structured.

Funding Request

If you are applying for a loan, you should add a funding request. This is where you explain how much money you are looking to borrow, and explain in detail how you are going to use it.

The most important part of the funding-request section is to explain how the loan you are asking for would improve the profitability of your business, and therefore allow you to repay your loan.

Financial Statements

Most lenders will also ask you to provide evidence of your business finances as part of your application. Graphs and charts are often a useful addition to this section, because they allow your lender to understand your finances at a glance.

The overall goal of providing financial statements is to show that your business is profitable and stable. Include three to five years of income statements, cash flow statements, and balance sheets. It can also be useful to provide further analysis, as well as projections of how your business will grow in the coming years.

What Do Lenders Look for in a Business Plan?

Lenders want to see that your business is stable, that you understand the market you are operating in, and that you have realistic plans for growth.

Your lender will base their decision on what are known as the “five Cs.” These are:

• Character : You can stress your good character in your executive summary, company overview, and your management team section.
• Capacity : This is, essentially, your ability to repay the loan. Your lender will look at your growth plans, your funding request, and your financial statements in order to assess this.
• Capital : This is the amount of money you already have in your business. The larger and more established your business is, the more likely you are to be approved for finance, so highlight your capital throughout your business plan.
• Conditions : Conditions refer to market conditions. In your market analysis, you should be able to prove that your business is well-positioned in relation to your target market and competitors.
• Collateral : Depending on your loan, you may be asked to provide collateral , so you should provide information on the assets you own in your operational plan.

How Long Does It Take to Write a Business Plan?

The length of time it takes to write a business plan depends on your business, but you should take your time to ensure it is thorough and correct. A business plan has advantages beyond applying for a loan, providing a strategic focus for your business.

What Should You Avoid When Writing a Business Plan?

The most common mistake that business owners make when writing a business plan is to be unrealistic about their growth potential. Your lender is likely to spot overly optimistic growth projections, so try to keep it reasonable.

Should I Hire Someone to Write a Business Plan for My Business?

You can hire someone to write a business plan for your business, but it can often be better to write it yourself. You are likely to understand your business better than an external consultant.

Writing a business plan can benefit your business, whether you are applying for a loan or not. A good business plan can help you develop strategic priorities and stick to them. It describes how you are going to grow your business, which can be valuable to lenders, who will want to see that you are able to repay a loan that you are applying for.

U.S. Small Business Administration. “ Write Your Business Plan .”

U.S. Small Business Administration. “ Market Research and Competitive Analysis .”

U.S. Small Business Administration. “ Fund Your Business .”

Navy Federal Credit Union. “ The 5 Cs of Credit .”

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• Business Plan: What It Is, What's Included, and How to Write One 7 of 25
• Small Business Development Center (SBDC): Meaning, Types, Impact 8 of 25
• How to Write a Business Plan for a Loan 9 of 25
• Business Startup Costs: It’s in the Details 10 of 25
• Startup Capital Definition, Types, and Risks 11 of 25
• Bootstrapping Definition, Strategies, and Pros/Cons 12 of 25
• Crowdfunding: What It Is, How It Works, and Popular Websites 13 of 25
• Starting a Business with No Money: How to Begin 14 of 25
• A Comprehensive Guide to Establishing Business Credit 15 of 25
• Equity Financing: What It Is, How It Works, Pros and Cons 16 of 25
• Best Startup Business Loans 17 of 25
• Sole Proprietorship: What It Is, Pros and Cons, and Differences From an LLC 18 of 25
• Partnership: Definition, How It Works, Taxation, and Types 19 of 25
• What Is an LLC? Limited Liability Company Structure and Benefits Defined 20 of 25
• Corporation: What It Is and How to Form One 21 of 25
• Starting a Small Business: Your Complete How-to Guide 22 of 25
• Starting an Online Business: A Step-by-Step Guide 23 of 25
• How to Start Your Own Bookkeeping Business: Essential Tips 24 of 25
• How to Start a Successful Dropshipping Business: A Comprehensive Guide 25 of 25

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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!

Don’t you wish there was a faster, easier way to finish your business plan?

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

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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.

Download Template

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.

Create a business plan that maximizes your chances of securing funding

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.

Table of Contents

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What is a business loan proposal?

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Starting a business can be the start of pursuing a lifelong dream. But turning a dream into reality requires putting your ideas on paper — especially if you want to secure a small business loan from a lender.

In most cases, lenders will request prospective business owners to present a business loan proposal. This relatively straightforward document informs the lender why you believe your business would be a good investment worthy of a loan. Think of it as a pitch for why you should get the loan and how you plan to repay it.

Key Takeaways

• A business loan proposal is a streamlined pitch to a lender that explains what you need the loan for and how you would pay it back
• A good business loan proposal should include financial information about your business, a high-level explanation of how your business operates and a loan repayment plan
• Business loan proposals are important documents for getting a lender to approve your loan request

Is a business loan proposal different from a business plan?

While a business plan and a business loan proposal may sound similar, they serve different goals. A business plan is more of a guide to your entire business. It takes you through the stages from start-up to operation, lays out how your company will be structured and considers your prospects and how they might affect your plans for the future.

By contrast, a business loan proposal has a simpler purpose: secure funds to start your business. This will typically be a shorter document and includes information most important to the lender, like how you plan to repay the loan in a timely manner.

Why would lenders want a business loan proposal?

Lenders typically want a business loan proposal and a business plan to better understand your business’s financial state and short-term prospects. This allows the lender to understand where your company stands in the market and how likely you are to succeed.

Lenders want to see available cash , projected revenues and other details relevant to your ability to generate profit. Lenders also want to know how much of a risk they are taking by lending you money and the likelihood that their loan will be repaid.

How to write a business loan proposal

A successful business loan proposal should be well-written and thoughtful. You will want to include essential financial documents as attachments in addition to the details about your business.

As for the format of your proposal, there are a few options, but it is best to ask the lender if there’s a preferred format. If the lender doesn’t provide guidance, you can create a document with several sections highlighting essential information for a potential lender.

1. Executive summary

Start by offering the lender information about you and your operation. Provide a brief background on yourself and an overview of your business. You can briefly explain how you want to use the funds, but keep it short as you will provide more details later on.

2. Overview of your business model

The overview should include a short history of operation, legal structure and essential details about operations, including any licensing and your company’s current revenue. You can also include information about the market that you operate in, including industry trends and details about your customer base.

3. Owner investments

Some lenders, like the SBA, require you to exhaust all other financing options before qualifying for a loan. In this section, you should show how much equity you have in your business, what you have invested or any profits. If there are other owners, lenders will also want to see what they’ve invested.

4. Loan request

Here you’ll outline the amount of money you need and how you plan to use it. Explain what you’ll purchase with the funds — like if you plan to use it for fixed assets or working capital — and how you believe it will impact the business. The loan request should also show how you determined the loan amount.

5. Loan repayment plan

The lender will want to know your plan for repaying the loan. Use this section to lay out a repayment schedule based on the loan terms. Make clear what your plan is to ensure payments are made on time and in full and how repaying the loan is likely to affect your overall cash flow. Also, explain how you would pay back the loan in case of a downturn in sales, such as cash reserves. You can include details about pledged collateral here as well.

6. Financial statements

While you’ll want to attach financial statements in full to your business loan proposal, you can provide a brief overview in this section. Provide insight into what your books look like over the last few quarters of operation, including income statements . If your business has any existing liabilities, you can also include those details here.

Additionally, you should include personal financial statements from major stakeholders in the company, usually anyone with 20 percent or more equity. These should be an overview of assets and liabilities and personal net worth for each stakeholder.

7. Income projections

In addition to past statements about your business’s operation, lenders will want to know what to expect from your business in the future. Include your projected income and cash flow statements. Include any details regarding changes you would make to your business if you fall short of projections, and provide at least one year of projections for the lender to consider.

The bottom line

Business loan proposals are important documents for business owners seeking financial support to present to a lender. They provide key details about the business as it currently operates and how a business loan would be used so that a lender can feel secure in providing funding and recouping its investment over time.

Frequently asked questions about business loan proposals

What’s the difference between a business plan and a business loan proposal, how do i write a business loan proposal, related articles.

How to get a business loan from a bank

How do business loans work?

What is a startup business loan? How does it work?

What is a business loan broker?

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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President Biden announces new student loan forgiveness plans that could benefit 23 million Americans

Borrowers who don't complete their degrees often face worse student loan debt burden.

Biden's new plan would provide $5,000 in debt relief for 10 million borrowers.  ( iStock )

President Biden just announced his new plan to provide student loan debt relief. When paired with the other cancellations the Biden Administration has provided, this relief would apply to more than 30 million Americans.

The President traveled to Madison, Wisconsin to reveal his plans. If implemented, these plans would eliminate accrued interest for 23 million borrowers and would cancel the debt for more than four million borrowers. An additional 10 million borrowers would receive at least $5,000 in debt relief, a slight adjustment to Biden’s original student loan debt cancellation that would have provided $10,000 in forgiveness for many borrowers. The original plan was struck down by the Supreme Court last year.

"Today, too many Americans — especially young people — are saddled with sustainable debts in exchange for college," Biden told a crowd while visiting Madison Area Technical College. "The ability for working and middle class folks to repay their student loans has become so burdensome that a lot can’t repay, even decades after being in school."

Under the new plan, certain borrowers could receive $20,000 in debt cancellation if the borrower’s balance has grown due to unpaid interest. There are no income limits for this potential forgiveness. For low and middle-income borrowers currently enrolled in the SAVE plan or other income-driven repayment plans, Biden’s plan may provide complete forgiveness of their entire debt balance.  

If you have private student loans, federal forgiveness and relief doesn't apply to you. If you're looking to lower monthly payments, consider refinancing your student loans. Lock in some of the lowest interest rates ever via the online marketplace Credible .

MILLIONS OF BORROWERS TO SEE STUDENT LOAN PAYMENTS DROP IN JULY AFTER SAVE ADJUSTMENT

Students who don’t complete college often deal with worse debt

Students who take out student loans but never finish their degree, struggle to pay their debt down more often than those who complete their degrees. This occurs because the payments are higher than the income provided by the jobs non-graduates secure.

Borrowers who didn’t complete their degrees now owe $918 million overall, which is 6% more than they borrowed in the first place, a study from the HEA Group revealed. The group of borrowers who did complete their degrees owe a combined $3.2 billion — 6% less than the amount they borrowed.

The study found that the degree level also made a difference in repayment timelines. Borrowers who complete four-year degrees owe 8% less on their federal student loans. Those who didn’t complete their four-year degrees now owe 6% more than what they originally took out.

To save on your monthly student loan payments, you may want to consider refinancing. An online tool like Credible can be handy for comparing student loan refinancing rates from multiple lenders without affecting your credit score.

SOME STUDENT LOAN BORROWERS ARE GETTING REFUNDS ON TOP OF LOAN FORGIVENESS, HERE’S WHO QUALIFIES

Student loan debt makes saving for retirement difficult for many

The burden of student loan debt is making saving for retirement a difficult goal for many borrowers. Balancing high-cost payments with retirement contributions is difficult for those already struggling to make ends meet.

For employees with incomes of less than $55,000 who make regular student loan payments, the average percentage the employee contributes toward retirement is 5.3%, the Employee Benefit Research Institute found . Employees without student loan payments contribute 5.7%, on average, to their retirement accounts, the study said.

The difference grows for workers with higher incomes. Employees that make student loan payments and earn $55,000 or more each year contribute 6.1% to their retirement accounts, on average, compared to the 7.3% those without student loans contribute.

If you can qualify for a student loan refinance at a lower rate than you're currently paying, there are often few downsides to refinancing. You can use Credible to compare student loan refinancing rates from multiple private lenders at once .

REPUBLICAN STATES FILE SUIT TO STOP BIDEN'S SAVE STUDENT LOAN REPAYMENT PLAN

Have a finance-related question, but don't know who to ask? Email The Credible Money Expert at [email protected] and your question might be answered by Credible in our Money Expert column.

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25 million student loan borrowers could see their balances shrink under Biden’s new forgiveness plan

President Joe Biden and his administration are moving forward with plans to provide student debt relief to as many people as possible.

The administration announced Monday the details of its new plan to reduce student debt balances for millions of borrowers. The proposed regulations — which were drafted as part of the months-long negotiated rulemaking process — feature several different ways for borrowers to see their debt balances reduced, if not eliminated entirely. 

The provisions of the plan include forgiving excessive interest that has accrued, discharging balances that have been in repayment for 20 years or more and relief for borrowers who attended now-closed or insolvent institutions.

"[The] plan is focused on the reasons that people are struggling with their student loan debt," James Kvaal, Under Secretary of Education, told CNBC Make It. 

"People who are upside down on their student loans because interest has racked up faster than they could pay it, people who have been making payments on their loans for decades and still owe those loans — it's a sign of how aggressive the President is [being] in tackling the student loan crisis," he said.

The relief provisions will soon be open for a public comment period where the administration will consider revisions to its proposal before it goes into effect. Some provisions are expected to roll out as early as this fall, the administration said.

As with Biden's previous student debt forgiveness proposals, it's possible this plan will come under legal scrutiny if challenged by opponents. But this plan differs from his previous action by using a different legal authority — the Higher Education Act — and narrowing the scope of borrowers eligible for relief.

In the event this plan is enacted and a future presidential administration wanted to repeal it, it would need to go through the same lengthy rulemaking process, Kvaal said.

Here's the relief borrowers may expect to see in the coming months.

Up to $20,000 of accrued interest forgiven

Interest accrues daily on student loans and some borrowers have interest rates as high as 8%. As a result, many borrowers wind up with balances higher than what they initially took out for school, despite making regular payments.

Biden's plan aims to address that "runaway interest" by canceling up to $20,000 of the amount a borrower's balance has grown due to unpaid interest after entering repayment. Single borrowers who earn $120,000 or less and married borrowers earning $240,000 or less who enroll in an income-driven repayment plan would be eligible to have their entire excess interest balances discharged, the administration said. 

Some 25 million borrowers stand to benefit from their interest balances being reduced if the plan goes into effect as proposed. An estimated 23 million of those borrowers will have their entire balance growth forgiven, according to the administration.

Automatic loan discharge for forgiveness-eligible borrowers

The Biden administration has canceled debt for over 1 million borrowers through existing forgiveness programs, including Public Service Loan Forgiveness , income-driven repayment and closed school loan discharges.

The administration estimates another 2 million borrowers are eligible to have their debt forgiven under these programs, but have not yet applied .

The new plan will allow the administration to use available data to identify and automatically clear balances for these borrowers as they are eligible, without borrower action.

Debt forgiveness for long-term borrowers

Another 2 million borrowers could benefit from a provision that will clear debt balances that are at least 20 years old for undergraduate borrowers and 25 years for graduate borrowers. It will apply to undergraduate borrowers with direct loans or direct consolidation loans who entered repayment on or before July 1, 2005, and graduate school borrowers who entered repayment on or before or July 1, 2000.

Currently, borrowers enrolled in the Saving on a Valuable Education plan or other income-driven repayment plans are eligible to have their remaining balances discharged after 20 or 25 years, but the new regulation would eliminate the IDR requirement.

Relief for attendees of 'low-financial-value' programs

The Biden administration has made a concerted effort to "hold colleges accountable when they leave students with mountains of debt and without good job prospects," it said in its statement. 

As such, the new plan would waive loans for borrowers who attended institutions or programs the administration identifies as "low-financial-value."

That includes schools that have lost eligibility to receive federal student aid or were denied recertification due to cheating or taking advantage of students, as well as programs that have since closed or have a history of leaving students with high debt loads and poor earnings outcomes.

Help for borrowers facing financial hardship

The administration says it is committed to pursuing a "specific action" for student loan borrowers experiencing a variety of financial hardships , although it's not yet clear who may receive relief and to what degree their balances will be reduced.

"This could include delivering automatic forgiveness to borrowers predicted to be likely to default on their loans, or through an individualized applications where borrowers could detail their financial hardship that is preventing them from being able to fully pay back their loan, such as a child care or medical expense," the administration said in its statement.

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Biden is canceling $7.4 billion in student debt for 277,000 borrowers. Here's who is eligible.

By Aimee Picchi

Edited By Alain Sherter

Updated on: April 12, 2024 / 3:29 PM EDT / CBS News

The Biden administration on Friday said it's canceling $7.4 billion in student debt for 277,000 borrowers, with the recipients scheduled to receive emails today to alert them to their loan discharges. 

The latest effort extends the debt relief provider under President Joe Biden after the Supreme Court last year blocked  his administration's plan for broad-based student loan forgiveness. With the latest batch of loan cancellations, the White House said it has forgiven about $153 billion in debt for 4.3 million student borrowers. 

Biden, who had made student loan relief a major campaign pledge, is tackling an issue that affects about 43 million Americans with a combined  $1.7 trillion in student debt. It's a burden that some borrowers and their advocates say has harmed their ability to save for a home or achieve financial milestones, an issue that was echoed by Education Secretary Miguel Cardona in a conference call with reporters. 

"I talked to a teacher in New York this week who took out a loan for $30,000," Cardona said Friday, "and after over a decade of paying and being a teacher the debt was $60,000, and she was saying that the interest was so high that the payments that she was making wasn't even touching her principal."

He added, "We are fixing a broken system. We're relentless and taking steps to transform a broken system into one that works people across the country."

Here's what to know about who is eligible for the latest round of forgiveness.

Who qualifies for the student loan forgiveness?

Three groups of people qualify under the latest round of debt relief, the White House said. 

• $3.6 billion for 206,800 borrowers enrolled in the SAVE plan.

About $3.6 billion will be forgiven for nearly 207,000 borrowers enrolled in the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) plan, an income-driven repayment program, or IDR, that the Biden administration created last year. 

The White House said borrowers who are getting their debt discharged under SAVE had taken out smaller loans for their college studies. The plan allows people to receive forgiveness after they made at least 10 years of payments if they originally took out $12,000 or less in loans to pay for college; borrowers with larger loans are eligible after 20 or 25 years of repayment, depending on what types of loans they have. 

 "You sacrifice and you've saved for a decade or more to make your student loan payments, and you originally borrowed $12,000 or less, you're going to see relief," Cardona told reporters. "An overwhelming number of those who qualify for SAVE were eligible for Pell grants and come from low- and middle-income communities."

• $3.5 billion for 65,700 borrowers in income-repayment plans.

These borrowers will receive forgiveness through "administrative adjustments" to repayment plans where loan servicers had made it tougher for some borrowers to qualify for relief.  

"These are people who paid for a long time but were being deprived of relief because of administrative and servicing failures," Cardona said. "These people met the contract of their loan" and will receive forgiveness.

• $300 million for 4,600 borrowers through Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).  

The PSLF program is designed to help public servants like teachers and government employees achieve debt forgiveness after 10 years of repayment. It's a program that started in 2007 but had been plagued with complex rules that effectively hampered people from getting their debt discharged, with only 7,000 receiving loan forgiveness prior to the Biden administration. 

With the latest round of discharges, the Biden administration has forgiven $62.8 billion in loans for 876,000 borrowers through PSLF. 

Are there legal challenges to Biden's debt forgiveness plans?

In two separate lawsuits, Republican attorneys general in 18 states are pushing to have the SAVE plan tossed and to halt any further student debt cancellation. They say the SAVE plan oversteps Biden's authority and makes it harder for states to recruit employees. They also contend the plan undermines a separate cancellation program that encourages careers in public service.

It's unclear what the suits could mean for loans that have already been canceled. A court document filed by Kansas' attorney general says it's "unrealistic to think that any loan forgiveness that occurs during this litigation will ever be clawed back."

—With reporting by the Associated Press.

• Biden Administration
• Student Loan

Aimee Picchi is the associate managing editor for CBS MoneyWatch, where she covers business and personal finance. She previously worked at Bloomberg News and has written for national news outlets including USA Today and Consumer Reports.

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How to get student loan forgiveness in 2024

• Published: Apr. 11, 2024, 9:08 a.m.
• Nerd Wallet

By Eliza Haverstock | NerdWallet

Student loan forgiveness has a mixed track record. Last summer, the Supreme Court struck down a broad plan that would’ve erased up to $20,000 per borrower. Still, student loan forgiveness is more accessible now than ever before. A handful of existing federal student loan forgiveness programs have erased $143.6 billion in student debt for 3.96 million borrowers as of March 21, according to the Education Department, with more to come this year.

The White House is currently trying to push through a narrower forgiveness ‘Plan B’ version of its failed broad forgiveness plan. The proven paths to forgiveness, however, include programs that range from income-driven repayment (IDR) plans — which cap monthly bills at a percentage of your income and forgive your remaining balance after 10 to 25 years — to niche programs for borrowers with certain loan types, jobs or school circumstances.

Here’s how to get student loan forgiveness in 2024 — and what you need to know before pursuing this path.

Check your eligibility

You must have federal student loans to qualify for a forgiveness program. Private student loans aren’t eligible.

To verify you have federal loans, go to StudentAid.gov , and try to log in or recover your account.

Next, check which types of federal student loans you have. If you have certain types of loans, like commercially held FFELP or Perkins loans, you may have to consolidate them before going after forgiveness.

Income-driven repayment

The newest IDR plan — Saving on a Valuable Education, or SAVE — is the most accessible path to forgiveness. All borrowers with federal direct loans are eligible to enroll.

The SAVE plan forgives remaining student debt in as little as 10 years if you have an original balance of $12,000 or less, and in up to 20 or 25 years for other borrowers. While working toward forgiveness, your monthly bills could be $0 per month if you earn less than $32,800 as an individual or $67,500 as a family of four; otherwise, they’ll be capped at 5%-10% of your income.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

If you work for a qualifying government or nonprofit employer, you could be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). This program erases your remaining balance after a decade of repayment.

“Generally, the PSLF program is the best one if you have access to it,” says Scott Stark, a financial coach and certified financial planner at Financial Finesse, a workplace financial wellness company.

Other forgiveness programs

Outside of IDR and PSLF, your student loan forgiveness options may include:

• Teacher Loan Forgiveness , if you work in a qualifying low-income school. 
• Borrower defense to repayment , if you think your school defrauded you. 
• Closed school discharge , if your school closed during or shortly after your time there.
• Perkins loan cancellation , if you have Perkins loans and work in public service.  
• State-based student loan payment assistance , if you work in health care or are willing to relocate to a new area. 

Do the math

Use the Education Department’s loan simulator to see how much debt you could get erased under various forgiveness programs and repayment plans, how much your monthly payments could be and how long you’ll be in repayment.

If an IDR plan will result in you paying more interest for a longer period or paying off your debt before getting forgiveness, then it may not be a good choice for you. (Public Service Loan Forgiveness also requires enrollment in an IDR plan.)

“It really is a case-by-case kind of thing, but generally speaking, for people whose income is relatively high compared to their student debt loads, the income-driven repayment plans can be pretty unattractive,” says Tisa Silver Canady, founder of the Maryland Center for Collegiate Financial Wellness. “It might behoove them to just stay on a balance-driven plan and pay extra when they feel it makes sense.” Making extra payments toward the principal while on a balance-driven plan — like the standard 10-year plan, which splits your loan into 120 payments — allows you to shrink your debt faster and reduce total interest costs.

On the other hand, if the math for IDR works out such that borrowers can have smaller payments and keep more of their money to reach other financial goals, pursuing forgiveness is a good option, Stark says.

Prepare for a future tax bomb

IDR student loan forgiveness is exempt from federal taxes through 2025. After that, any amount forgiven could result in a student loan tax bomb. A small number of states tax IDR forgiveness, too.

It’s important to plan for a tax bomb if your forgiveness timeline will extend past 2025. Put a small amount of money aside each month to cover your future tax bill, Stark says.

Use the loan simulator to determine how much forgiveness you could ultimately receive: Your taxable income will increase by that amount in the year you get forgiveness. In some cases, the forgiveness could push you into a higher tax bracket, which could further increase your tax burden. If the amount you have to set aside each month to cover the tax bill is larger than the amount you’d save on the IDR plan, it might not be worth it.

Loan balances forgiven through PSLF, Teacher Loan Forgiveness, borrower defense to repayment, closed school discharge and Perkins loan cancellation are exempt from federal taxation.

Change your repayment plan

If you decide IDR forgiveness is the right choice, you must switch to an IDR plan like SAVE.

To sign up for an IDR plan, submit an online application at StudentAid.gov/IDR or call your student loan servicer.

You must also sign up for an IDR plan if you’re striving for PSLF. Choose the plan that gives you the smallest monthly bill to maximize the amount you could get forgiven after 10 years. It’s a good idea to submit your PSLF employer verification form each year to stay on track for forgiveness, Canady says. You can do this through the Education Department’s online PSLF Help Tool .

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Eliza Haverstock writes for NerdWallet. Email: [email protected] . Twitter: @elizahaverstock .

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