A lot of people feel nervous asking for money, even if it’s a lender’s livelihood. We can usually chalk this up to uncertainty regarding whether or not we’ll be approved. If you’re in need of a loan, you might understand that getting approval can take time. It’s a hassle to spend all of that time waiting, only to be denied.

If you want to go into the loan approval process with greater confidence, there are several ways to make it happen.

1. Check your credit

It would be unreasonable to predict how to the loan approval process will go without checking up on your credit. Your score will help you ascertain how likely it is that you’ll be approved. This is also the time to check for errors and have them removed; you don’t want to be denied because a bureau provided inaccurate information about you.

2. Don’t wait until the last minute

Fast loan approval does exist, but getting a loan should never be a last-minute decision. Planning your loan well in advance allows you to choose the best lender for you. It also gives you the time to correct your credit report, and potentially improve your score.

3. Ask for the right amount

One area lenders will assess is the amount of money you’re asking for. If you tell the lender you need a loan to open a small business, and your plan indicates you need $7,000, asking for $10,000 might give them pause. This raises the amount of expectation on you, and might increase your risk status.

4. Have your documents at the ready

You can help speed the process up by being prepared to provide tons of detail about your financial status. After you apply, your lender might ask for more documentation concerning employment, tax returns, and other info. Even if you don’t need to submit all of these documents, getting them together and organized can be useful for the future.

5. Demonstrate your ability to pay it back

This is why choosing the right loan amount is important. Your current financial status matters even more to some lenders than a spotty credit history. Of course, having a history of paying bills on time is great, but your current assets, potential collateral, and annual income can make or break your application.

6. Research

These days, lenders vary drastically in terms, accessibility, and requirements. Some also don’t have a great reputation when it comes to tacking extra fees and high interest rates onto your principle. You’ll have to read between the lines and gather information from people who have borrowed from these lenders before. It also shouldn’t be a problem to contact the lender and ask hard questions before beginning the application process.

If you need a loan, don’t waste your time with lenders who consider themselves out of your league. Set yourself up for success by cleaning up your credit report, asking only for what you really need, and proving that you have the means to make payments on your loan. Do it right, and there will be few lenders who consider you a risk.