 TITLE: How Much Can I Borrow With a Personal Loan? CONTENT: Try Improving Your Credit Before You Apply\n------------------------------------------\nIf your credit score is already in great shape, you may decide to move forward and apply for a loan. If your score isn't where you want it to be, though, think about whether it's worth it to wait and build your credit before you apply.\nDepending on how much you can increase your score, you could save hundreds or even thousands of dollars in interest.\nHere are some tips to help you improve your credit:\n*   Check your credit score to see where you stand.\n*   Get a copy of your credit report to determine which areas you need to address.\n*   Dispute inaccuracies on your credit report, if applicable.\n*   Get caught up on past-due payments.\n*   Pay down credit card balances.\n*   Avoid taking on new credit unnecessarily.\n*   Ask a family member with a strong credit history to add you as an authorized user on one of their credit card accounts.\n*   Use Experian Boost™† to get credit for your on-time phone, utility and Netflix® payments.\nThe process of building your credit can take time, but the long-term benefits can be well worth the effort and wait. END