The Family Loan Program addresses the needs of families through small loans to low income parents that will assist them in maintaining meaningful employment. Secondary purposes of the program are to enable recipients to establish a credit history, stabilize their lives and to contribute to the borrower's self-esteem.

Applicants can borrow up to $2,200.00 to repair or purchase a car. Any loan over $750.00 requires a secured interest in the vehicle. All of the loans are at eight per cent interest, and serviced by the Wells Fargo Bank.

Eligibility:

• Applicants must have children under the age of 17 in their physical custody.

• Applicants must be employed for the past three months with the same employer and work a minimum of 20 hours a week, or be attending a post secondary school with one third of the necessary credits completed.

• If the loan is for a car or car repair, applicant must have a valid Minnesota driver's license.

• Be a resident for the past six months in one of the 20 counties from southeastern Minnesota

• Applicants are reviewed for affordability and credit.