LOAN RESOURCES & TOOLS
Everything you need to prepare a strong, confident application.
FINANCIAL TOOLS
AWE Financial Projections Template
A guided spreadsheet that helps you build accurate cash flow, income statements, and balance sheets for the next two years. Designed to align with our assessment criteria and make forecasting clear and doable.
PLANNING TOOLS
BUSINESS PLAN GUIDE
A step-by-step framework for building a business plan that clearly communicates your model, market, and growth strategy.
BUSINESS PURCHASE CHECKLIST
Use this if you’re exploring purchasing an existing business. Includes appraisal guidance, due diligence steps, and required documents.
WORKING CAPITAL CHECKLIST
Helps you understand what operating expenses you’ll need to cover and how to plan for them.
BUSINESS START UP CHECKLIST
For entrepreneurs in their first 0–24 months. Covers business basics, financial readiness, registrations, and operational steps.
BUSINESS EXPANSION CHECKLIST
For businesses preparing to scale. Outlines financial documents, growth considerations, and planning essentials.
LEARNING & SUPPORT
Financial Literacy and Loan Preparation Workshops
Understand business financials, terms, ratios, projections, and gain financial confidence. These sessions can help you understand options to fund your business, what lenders look for, and when you're ready, how to prepare strong loan applications.
AWE Loan Program — Frequently Asked Questions
-
A grant is non-repayable funding provided by a government, institution, or organization to support specific business activities. Grants typically come with eligibility criteria, reporting requirements, and timelines, but you do not pay the funds back.
-
A loan is repayable financing you receive for your business. You repay the amount over time, with interest. Loans are ideal when you need capital to start, stabilize, or grow your operations.
-
Yes. AWE offers repayable loans of up to $150,000 (and more in partnership with lenders) for women-owned businesses in Alberta.
-
AWE does not administer grants directly. However, we may offer grants attached to successful completion of certain programs and we can help point you toward provincial and federal grant programs that may support your business.
-
Collateral is an asset you pledge as security for a loan. It reduces risk for the lender. Examples include equipment, inventory, vehicles, or other business assets.
-
Equity is the money you personally invest into your business. Most lenders, including AWE, want to see that the owner has “skin in the game.” This could include cash, assets, or reinvested profits.
-
Your credit score reflects how reliably you pay back borrowed money. You can check your score through services like:
Equifax
TransUnion
Borrowell
Credit Karma
Many banks have this in online apps
Lenders review your score as one part of your financial picture.
-
AWE provides workshops, webinars, business advising, learning labs, online resources, and connections to our broader community of women entrepreneurs. We also offer tools and templates to help you build strong financials and business plans.
-
Prime is the base borrowing rate set by major banks. AWE’s loans are offered at Prime + 2% to Prime + 4%, depending on your application.
-
Compound interest means interest is calculated on both your loan amount and previously accumulated interest. It affects long-term loan costs, and understanding it can help you choose repayment timelines that work for you.
-
A loan is released as a lump sum with a set repayment schedule.
A line of credit allows you to borrow only what you need, when you need it, and repay it flexibly.
A loan is best for larger, planned investments; a line of credit is best for short-term or fluctuating cash needs.
-
Alberta-based businesses that are 50.1% women-owned, majority-managed by women, and able to demonstrate a viable business plan and financial readiness.
-
Start-up costs
Equipment or technology
Marketing and business development
Leasehold improvements
Inventory and production
Working capital
Expansion projects
-
Yes. AWE charges a $0.5% loan administration fee once you reach the full application stage.
-
A credit check is part of the loan assessment process. This creates a standard inquiry on your credit file, similar to any loan application.
-
You can always reapply. If you’re not ready yet, AWE will provide guidance and resources to help you strengthen your financial readiness and position your business for success in the future.
-
In many cases, yes—early repayment is allowed without penalty. For programs where terms may differ, we’ll walk you through the details and help you choose a loan that aligns with your goals and timeline.
-
No. AWE works with incorporated businesses, partnerships, and sole proprietors. You just need to be operating legally and registered in Alberta.
-
Yes, if you can provide strong, realistic projections, a clear business plan, and demonstrate financial and market readiness.
-
Not typically, but depending on your credit history and financial structure, additional security may be requested.
Want More Information About AWE Loans?
Tell us a bit about yourself and we’ll email you everything you need to explore your financing options.
We’ll send program details, funding options, and helpful tools.
Loan Glossary
-
The base interest rate that major banks use. Lenders often price loans as Prime + a percentage. So if Prime is 6% and your loan is Prime +2%, your rate is 8%.
-
The cost of borrowing money. Interest is calculated as a percentage of your loan amount. We encourage you to consider how the loan will support growth, ensuring the return on your investment is greater than the cost of borrowing.
-
This can often be calculated based on the value you anticipate getting from a loan and if this is higher than the cost of borrowing, this can indicate a loan is a great tool and if not, it may be an indicator to seek other options.
-
The movement of money in and out of your business each month. Positive cash flow = more money coming in than going out.
-
Assets: What your business owns (equipment, inventory, cash). Liabilities: What your business owes (loans, bills, payments).
-
Debt financing: Borrowing money you repay over time (like a loan or a mortgage). Equity financing: Selling ownership in your business in exchange for investment.
-
The money you need to run your day-to-day operations. This includes wages, rent, utilities, inventory, and other short-term expenses.
-
An asset you pledge as security for a loan. If you cannot repay, the lender can claim the collateral to reduce loss.
-
How your loan is scheduled to be repaid over time. It shows how much of each payment goes toward interest vs. principal.
-
Revenue: All the money your business earns. Profit: What’s left after you subtract expenses from revenue.