Complete Your SBA 8a Certification In Four Easy Steps

Why have you been putting off getting SBA 8a certification? It is NOT that difficult to get certified if you really want to break into government contracting. And you do NOT have to pay someone else to help you fill out the form. If you can read and follow instructions, you can do it. How do I know? I successfully completed my company SBA 8a certification in 2004. Here's the blueprint... now get it done!

Where do you start?

ONLINE APPLICATION

There is an electronic application form at the SBA website. If you take the time to read the four steps to the Electronic Application Process, you will be prepared to complete it in the least amount of time with the least amount of personal pain. I recommend submitting the electronic application form over the mail-in version because you will receive your results back in days, NOT weeks.

Step One: Get registered with CCR

The first step is to get your company registered at the federal Central Contractor Registration (CCR) database The CCR database is a single point of vendor registration and is key to streamlining the procurement process. Note: It might take 24 - 72 hours to get your CCR profile active in the system. Then you can proceed.

Step Two: Register in the SBA General Login System (GLS)

This system supports all services offered by the SBA. Two key pieces of information you will need to know are your Employer Identification Number (EIN) or your Social Security Number. You will also need to register for a Dun & Bradstreet number (DUNS). The DUNS is a requirement for all federal contracts as well as many major corporations. Note: You can register for the FREE service and do not have to sign up for any other monthly fee-based D&B services.

Step Three: Download, sign, get notarized and mail-in Signature Authorization card

This is the only "manual" portion of the process. It becomes the trigger for the SBA to begin screening and reviewing your Electronic application. Be sure you send your Signature Authorization card to the appropriate SBA Program Certification & Eligibility address, based upon the state you are doing business.

Step Four: Begin SBA 8a Application Process via the GLS

Using your new GLS user name / password - enter your information into the application online. Note: You do not have to complete the application in one sitting, fill out as much as you can and then save and come back later. How long will it take to complete the application? The more complex the company structure, the longer it takes to fill out the information. For example:a 100% owned sole-proprietorship owned will not take as long as a multi-owner corporation located in a community property state. Note: My application took about two hours total to complete. You will need your tax returns from the past three years and other documents for reference.

The SBA does offer FAQs and an online training course to get you prepared for the application process. Once you have submitted the application, by law, there is a 90 day response time on getting back to you. My application was reviewed in less than 30 days. So if you submit the application online, you will get a much more timely response.

One other note: Caucasian women have more difficulty in getting SBA 8a certified. One extra support document you may be asked to prepare and submit is a disadvantaged social narrative. This is a paper that documents how overcome social, economic and business factors have influenced your inability to succeed to your maximum capability. Can you write this paper without hiring a company to prepare it for you? YES. Learn how I took my experience and now help hundreds of other women to gain confidence to prepare their own narratives. Read more about the toolkit I prepared at my company website.

Ok, now you know the four steps to the SBA 8a process, what is keeping you from starting your application today?

Complete Your SBA 8a Certification In Four Easy Steps

ONLINE APPLICATION

How To Complete A Loan Application Form

When filling out a loan application form it is important that you do so with the utmost attention to detail. There is so much more to filling out an application than just filling in the blanks. What you really should be doing is looking at the application from the standpoint of your potential lender. What would you expect out of a loan application? How would you want it to look? Should everything be accurate?

What Would You Expect Out Of A Loan Application?

ONLINE APPLICATION

As a potential lender, you would expect that it be filled out in its entirety. This is how you need to be looking at the application while you are filling it out to receive a loan or any type of credit for that matter. Look at it from their point of view. If there are any blank fields left in the application, this leaves a void for the lender and even may raise a red flag in the lender's mind, wondering what you may be hiding since you left that information blank.

Blank fields could mean more time for the both of you. If you inadvertently leave something important blank, you are either going to get a call from the lender to come back in and complete the loan application or it will be denied for this reason, and you will have to fill the form out all over again. Therefore, make sure you leave nothing blank. In areas where they do not apply, simply put N/A or note that it does not apply.

How Would You Want It To Look?

Remember in grade school when your teacher told you that neatness counts? That statement is true, and is true particularly for an application. Again, put yourself in the shoes of the potential lender. Would you accept an application that was sloppy? No, you want to make sure that an actual form application is written clearly. For a form application, that you have to fill out by hand make sure you:

Print Neatly. Avoid Overly Large Handwriting. Avoid Overly Small Handwriting.

For forms that must be filled out online, you should:

Avoid using all uppercase letters Use Capitalization where necessary, such as Names, Street Addresses, and State Abbreviations
Should Everything Be Accurate?

Absolutely! Nothing will get your loan application denied faster than the lender discovering that you lied on the form, even if you have excellent credit. Would you accept any application that was fabricated in any way? Make sure that you DO make yourself look positive in the eyes of the potential lender, however, make sure it is done so accurately. Avoid negativity if at all possible, but remember honesty is always the best policy and potential lenders will definitely see you in a better light if you are honest.

If the loan application allows you to leave any notes or comments that should be taken into consideration by the lender, it is important that you take advantage of this area. You will want to put yourself in a positive perspective. Do not beg or whine to the lender, this will make you look bad. However, make sure, particularly if your credit is less than perfect or bad, to present yourself in a positive manner.

Knowing how to fill out one means more than just filling in the blanks. Doing it right the first time can save you a lot of headaches and hassles.

How To Complete A Loan Application Form

ONLINE APPLICATION

Complete an Application For Free Government Grants As Fast As Possible

More and more citizen are suffering with the burden of insane outstanding sums totaling up and financial difficulties as they lead their busy lives while fighting for time to meet deadlines for bills while facing piled up debts. What you don't know is that as long as you are a citizen of the United States and above the legal age of 18, you are eligible to apply for the free government grant to assist your financial needs.

Accept your luck and don't remain ignorant to the benefit of a free grant just because it sounds too good to be true. Truth be told, he US government has set aside billions of dollars for various grant program and the amounts are increasing as not many people are aware of this grant or are unsure of their eligibility. If you've got a financial situation that you need to resolve, don't hesitate to apply for the grant today because there is absolutely no harm in trying.

ONLINE APPLICATION

In addition, it gets easier to apply everyday as the forms are now readily available online. You would be required to fill out some personal questions about your total household income and reasons as to why you are applying for the grant. Be completely honest and straightforward as your information would be kept private and withheld from the eye of society.

By simply trying to apply, you can reap the benefits of this grant as it is free and can help you get your life back on track. You could use the money to start a business, finance your university education or degree, pay off overdue bills, make home repairs that have been sorely needed, and many other things that require financial aid.

So clear your debts today and start new with a clean slate and a fresh day by applying for the free government grant and enjoy its many benefits.

Complete an Application For Free Government Grants As Fast As Possible

ONLINE APPLICATION