Informed Choices: Data Collection
The Increasing Options Loan Guarantee Program will be discontinued effective March 22, 2010. Applications for loan guarantee requests will not be accepted after March 22, 2010. For individuals who have already submitted Informed Choices as a means to applying for a loan guarantee, your requests are being reviewed. For more information, please contact loans@abilitiesfund.org
The Informed Choice: Data Collection tool takes entreprenuers through a series of thought-provoking questions categorized to record what is known and underscore what is necessary to think through in order to move forward in a planned and thoughtful manner. Entreprenuers spend important time completing this unique data collection tool with the end goal of having a better understanding of their personal readiness to plan for business start-up, stabilization, or expansion.
The following information is gathered through Informed Choices:
- Goals and motivation for considering self employment
- Education, training and experience relevant to the business idea
- Scope and nature of the business concept
- Level of business readiness
- Personal financial information
- Start up capitalization estimate
- Benefits and public assistance programs
- Assistive technology needs
This information will be used by The Abilities Fund during the loan review process and will give the loan officer a snapshot of the entrepreneurs business concept, benefits structure, and financial situation.
You may access an online version of Informed Choices by clicking on the link below. Once you click on the link, you will be taken to a webpage where you will register by entering your name and email address. This will allow you access to the Informed Choices application.
After registering, you will receive an email with a link that will allow you future access to your Informed Choices application. Please use the link provided on the email that you receive to reaccess the application should you not be able to complete it in one session. Do not register again using the link below if you have already registered previously. This will result in you starting the application over again from the beginning and two applications being entered in our system. If you have any questions regarding this registration process, please email
loans@abilitiesfund.org or call 888.222.8943, ext 225.
Please click on this Informed Choices Application link to start the application process. 
