cwa hope Loan Program

At The Ark, we believe everyone deserves access to fair and manageable financial resources. Our CWA HOPE Loan Program provides affordable loans to help community members break the cycle of high-interest debt, including payday and title loans, while offering opportunities to safely build credit and achieve lasting financial stability. Thanks to our partnership with First American Bank & Trust, we are able to fulfill our mission.

3.5% APR*

*Same low APR rate for EVERYONE,

no matter credit score

6-12 Month Terms

In need of a loan?

We lend for

Credit Building
Relief from High-Interest Debt
Unexpected Car Repairs
Medical Bills and Deductible Costs
Higher Education Costs
& More

Learn More

*At this time, CWA does NOT lend for rent or utility payments. If you need financial assistance with rent or utilities, please click here.

Debt Relief Loan

Stuck in a title loan or another loan with sky-high interest? This loan helps you pay off predatory debt and replace it with a fairer, more manageable payment, so you can stop the cycle and start moving forward.

Take the First Step

Credit Building Loan

A simple way to build or rebuild your credit. This particular loan is designed to build your credit history and improve your overall credit score.

Take the First Step

Bridge Loan

When life brings sudden expenses, like urgent car repairs, medical bills, or tuition costs, you don't have to face them alone. This loan bridges the gap between an unexpected financial burden and lasting stability, giving you affordable, manageable support when you need it most.

Take the First Step

Loan Qualifications

Only residents of Clarke, Oconee, Madison, or Oglethorpe County qualify.
No bankruptcy within the last 2 years
Proof of Income: Provide paystubs from the past 3 months -OR- If on fixed income (e.g., Social Security, disability), provide the most recent yearly statement.
Direct Deposit Required: Income must be deposited directly into a bank account. We are unable to process loans for individuals paid in cash or through peer-to-peer apps without account and routing numbers.
Automatic Payments: Must agree to repayment through automatic bank draft.
Balanced Budget: Demonstrate the ability to repay the loan based on standards set forth by our lending partner
Financial Counseling: Attend a 50 minute budget counseling session prior to applying for loan
Demonstrated Need: At this time, Loans are only available for the following purposes:
- Refinancing high-interest or predatory debt (e.g., title pawns, payday loans)
- Credit-building loans (used to establish and build credit)
- Unexpected expenses (e.g., car repairs, home repairs, medical emergencies, etc.)
At this time, CWA does NOT lend for rent or utility payments. If you need assistance with these bills, please click here.
Disclaimer: Loans are processed through First American Bank & Trust and approval is contingent upon certain factors including income to debt ratio and minimum creditworthiness. All loans are disbursed to the vendor to meet the need they are addressing. CWA currently does not lend directly to the individual.