- The SBA says it does not provide 7(a) loans directly to borrowers. Participating local SBA-approved lenders make them, and you apply with a lender.
- The maximum loan amount is $5 million.
- To qualify, a business must be an operating, for-profit U.S. business that meets SBA size standards, cannot get the credit it needs on reasonable terms elsewhere, and is creditworthy with a reasonable ability to repay.
- The SBA’s Lender Match tool can connect you with participating lenders.
How the program works
The SBA describes 7(a) as its primary business loan program. The SBA guarantees part of each loan to the lender, which supports financing for small businesses that have special requirements. The loan itself comes from a participating local SBA-approved lender, and you apply directly with that lender, not with the SBA.
If you do not have a lender in mind, the SBA points to Lender Match, its tool that connects borrowers with participating lenders. Questions can go to a local SBA District Office.
Who qualifies
The SBA lists these basic requirements. Your business must:
- be an operating, for-profit business located in the United States;
- meet SBA size standards and not be an ineligible business type;
- be unable to get the credit it wants on reasonable terms from non-government sources; and
- be creditworthy and show a reasonable ability to repay the loan.
What the money can be used for
| Use | Examples |
|---|---|
| Real estate | Acquiring, refinancing or improving real estate |
| Working capital | Short-term and long-term working capital |
| Debt | Refinancing business debt |
| Equipment and supplies | Machinery and equipment, including AI-related expenses, and furniture, fixtures and supplies |
| Ownership | Changes of ownership |
| Mixed | Multiple-purpose loans |
Amounts and terms
The maximum 7(a) loan amount is $5 million. The SBA page gives a guarantee and a maturity only for one variant, the 7(a) Working Capital Pilot: an 85% guarantee for loans of $150,000 or less, a 75% guarantee above $150,000, and a maximum of 60 months. It does not state a guarantee percentage or a maximum maturity for standard 7(a) loans, so ask the lender what applies to your loan.
For a home mortgage, which uses a different standard form, see how to read a Loan Estimate.
How to apply
- Find a participating lender, using the SBA’s Lender Match tool or a lender you already use.
- Ask the lender which documents it needs. The SBA says required documents vary by loan size and by lender.
- Apply with the lender. The lender decides whether to make the loan, and the SBA guarantee backs it.
Because the SBA does not provide 7(a) loans directly, an offer that claims to come straight from the SBA is worth checking with the SBA’s own site or your local District Office before you share any information.
Frequently asked questions
Does the SBA lend money directly?
No. The SBA says it does not provide 7(a) loans directly to borrowers. Participating SBA-approved lenders make the loans and you apply with a lender.
What is the maximum 7(a) loan?
The SBA page gives the maximum 7(a) loan amount as $5 million.
What can a 7(a) loan be used for?
The SBA lists real estate purchases and improvements, working capital, refinancing business debt, equipment, furniture, fixtures and supplies, changes of ownership and multiple-purpose loans.
Who is eligible for a 7(a) loan?
An operating, for-profit U.S. business that meets SBA size standards, is not an ineligible type, cannot get the credit it wants on reasonable terms from non-government sources, and is creditworthy with a reasonable ability to repay.
How do I find a lender?
The SBA says to apply through a local lender and points to its Lender Match tool for finding participating lenders.
Sources
Each source was opened and read on October 26, 2026. See how we verify.