Apply for the Car Ownership Program
Welcome to the Car Ownership Program Online Application
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The CARes Project, Inc. is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to help low- and moderate-income individuals and families in our service area to become financially stable and self-sufficient. A CARes Project car loan can provide you with safe, affordable, and reliable transportation. Through our Car Ownership Program, customers learn to practice good money management skills, increase their creditworthiness, and receive reliable transportation to get to work and to school.
Our Car Ownership program loans up to $15,000 for the purchase of a used vehicle. All cars are purchased from franchise dealerships and offer every CARes car buyer a 12-month/12,000-mile warranty on the car. All loans are 36-month or 48-month, 9% simple interest loans. Loans can be paid off early without additional fees and paying off the loan early will save you from paying some interest. Monthly car payments are from $240-$380, depending on the length and amount of the loan.
Process of Getting a Car Loan
To obtain a car loan through The CARes Project's Car Ownership Program, you must complete a series of steps including an application with several forms, provide financial information to your financial coach, attend a budgeting class, receive financial coaching and credit counseling, and provide a down payment of $300.00. This process takes time to complete (6 to 8 weeks on average). Scroll down to Step 1 to begin the application.
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Car Ownership Program Requirements
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Be 18 years old or older
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Have a valid NC Driver's License
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Live in Forsyth, Davie, or Davidson County
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Be steadily employed for a year
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Work at least 30 hours per week
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Have sufficient income to afford the monthly payment
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Have a credit score of 600 or less
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Have a household income of 80% AMI or less and/or live in a CDFI Investment Area
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Willingness to participate in the financial coaching and credit counseling process
Step 1. Application
Customer Application and Credit Release Agreement
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This application provides our organization with the information we need to determine eligibility. It includes your contact information, demographics, income, employment, household information, and references. This application will need to be completed and signed. Once received and accepted you will be a Car Ownership Program Participant.
Step 2. Prepare for Your Financial Coach
Once your application is accepted, your financial coach will tell you when you need to complete the following:
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Income & Expenses
This document asks about your income and expenses and will be completed before your first financial coaching session.
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Budget Training
While your financial coach is reviewing your application and preparing to provide your coaching, you will complete the budget training session. This is mandatory!
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Follow this link: https://allegacy.everfi-next.net/student/dashboard/member-achieve/building-financial-capability/1688#creating-a-budget/getting-started/page-1
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When you have completed the training session, come back to this website page and complete the Budget Training Questionnaire.
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Step 3. Financial Coaching
The final step of the application process consists of you meeting with your financial coach (in person, via zoom, or by phone) to review your application, build a budget, and go over your credit history. At this time you will also complete the Personal Statement.
This form is presented to the Community Loan Committee, who will be approving your application. It is your opportunity to present why you should receive a CARes car loan. This is for you to tell your story - how you will benefit from the service. Do not use your name or the names of family members or anything else that could reveal your identity to the Loan Committee.
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The Community Loan Committee
Once your application is completed, you have completed the budget training, and have worked with your financial coach to create a workable budget that shows you are building savings and can afford a car payment and associated car costs, your request for a loan will be presented to our Community Loan Committee. This is a meeting that you will not attend (so make sure your “Personal Statement” is strong!). The Loan Committee will look over all the information and make their decision. Sometimes they require more information before approving a loan.
We invest in people who invest in themselves