The SBA offers assistance for some would-be entrepreneurs with
its Minority and Women's Prequalification Pilot Loan Programs.
The women's program uses nonprofit intermediaries, while the
Minority program uses both nonprofit and for-profit intermediaries.
For-profit intermediaries may charge more for loan packaging, so
this is another good place to shop for deals. Not that you
can't get your money's worth--conscientious intermediaries
help borrowers develop their applications, then send the paperwork
to the SBA, where it's rushed through. Usually within three
days, the SBA issues a letter of pre-qualification, and the
intermediary helps the borrower shop for the best loan. The maximum
amount for these "Prequal" loans is usually $250,000,
although some SBA districts vary the limits on minority loans.