HOPE Loan FAQs

Yes, or you can apply for loans with Get HOPE Global.

No, HOPE loans are only available for use in conjunction with a HOPE Business Program.

No.  We charge a flat fee of 10%.

• Growing Your Business: Participants receive loan monies on Week 9 and their final loan payments are due on Week 52.
• Starting and Growing Your Business: Participants receive loan monies on Week 13 and their final loan payments are due on Week 52.
• The Program Leader repays HOPE in two installments. The first installment is due halfway through the loan repayment cycle and the second is due upon completion. These include the loan repayment amounts with the 10% loan fee. It is recommended that you open a bank account in a trusted financial institution, or have an alternative plan for safekeeping.

• The Program Leader is responsible for the distribution, collection, and repayment of the monies loaned to the group.
• The Program Leader is not personally liable for the default of a loan by any member of group, or the decisions made by any member of the group.
• Successful collection and repayment of loans is required in order for a Program Leader to apply for future loans on behalf of another group.

• Loan amounts vary according to local economies. HOPE loan amounts begin at $100.00.
• Each member of the group should apply for the same loan amount. The recommended group size is 7-12.

• Yes, building cash reserves is a foundational principle of microloans. In both Growing Your Business and Starting and Growing Your Business, savings are required. Part of the profits from the business should be put into savings each week.
• If you are using Growing Your Business, participants must bring their own start-up savings. If you are using Starting and Growing Your Business, part of the loan money must be set aside for start-up savings.

• Yes. Covering one another’s loan payments is a key principle of all microloan programs.
• If a participant is unable to make her payment, she is allowed to withdraw funds from her savings to make her payments with the approval of the Program Leader.
• If her savings are depleted, other group members will cover her loan payments with the understanding that they will be repaid. (See section on Missed Loan Payment and default in HOPE Loan and Savings Policy.)

Loan candidates should meet all the requirements for HOPE Loan Candidates. Some of the most important points to emphasize are:

• Full participation in the Pre-Qualification Sessions including regular attendance, punctuality and completion of all homework.
• A business plan detailing how she will use the loan money.
• A clear understanding of the 10% loan fee charged.
• A clear understanding that members of the group assume responsibility for the repayment of ALL the loans within the group, should this be necessary.
• For Growing Your Business loan candidates, a designated minimal amount of savings is required.