Before you start
This checker screens a business against the 12 primary eligibility rules of the SBA's Standard Operating Procedure 50 10 8. Your answers stay private — nothing is saved, nothing is submitted, no email required.
- You'll get a verdict of:
- Pass — meets primary eligibility.
- Conditional — eligible but with items requiring additional review.
- Fail — one or more hard disqualifiers with specific remediation paths.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is SOP 50 10 8?+
SOP 50 10 8 is the SBA Standard Operating Procedure governing 7(a) and 504 loan program eligibility, underwriting, and servicing. The current version became effective June 1, 2025, with a Technical Updates revision and a Policy Notice (5000-876441) modifying citizenship and residency requirements effective March 1, 2026. It is the authoritative rulebook for every SBA-approved lender.
What are the main SBA loan eligibility requirements?+
A business must be for-profit, U.S.-based, an active operating business, meet SBA size standards, owned by U.S. Citizens/Nationals/Unconditional LPRs (100% per 3/1/2026 rules), not in an ineligible industry, use proceeds for eligible purposes, demonstrate at least 10% equity injection for startups and acquisitions, show DSCR of 1.15x or higher (1.10x for Small Loans ≤$350K), have no prior federal defaults, and have clean character. Franchises must be listed in the SBA Franchise Directory.
What is the SBA 7(a) Small Loan threshold under SOP 50 10 8?+
The 7(a) Small Loan threshold was reduced from $500,000 to $350,000 effective June 1, 2025, under SOP 50 10 8. Small Loans have relaxed underwriting including a 1.10x DSCR minimum instead of 1.15x, streamlined documentation, and different collateral thresholds.
Does this checker guarantee SBA approval?+
No. This tool provides preliminary guidance based on SOP 50 10 8 rules and the information you enter. It is not an SBA determination, prequalification, or guarantee of eligibility or approval. Final SBA loan eligibility is determined exclusively by SBA-approved lenders after review of a complete application, supporting documentation, credit analysis, and underwriting.
What is the citizenship requirement effective March 1, 2026?+
Per Policy Notice 5000-876441, 100% of direct and indirect owners plus SBA-required guarantors must be U.S. Citizens, U.S. Nationals, or Unconditional Lawful Permanent Residents with a Principal Residence in the U.S. or its territories. Up to 5% aggregate ownership may be held by otherwise-eligible persons residing outside the U.S. Ineligible Persons include undocumented aliens, asylees, refugees, visa holders, DACA recipients, non-resident aliens, Conditional LPRs, and citizens of PRC or Hong Kong SAR. A 6-month lookback applies — loans are ineligible if any owner/guarantor was an Ineligible Person within 6 months before the SBA loan number issuance, unless fully divested.
Preliminary guidance only. This eligibility checker provides preliminary guidance based on general SBA program rules in SOP 50 10 8 (effective 6/1/2025) and Policy Notice 5000-876441 (effective 3/1/2026), and the information you provide. It is not an SBA determination, prequalification, or guarantee of eligibility or approval. SBA loan eligibility is determined exclusively by SBA-approved lenders (and, where required, the U.S. Small Business Administration) after review of a complete application, supporting documentation, credit analysis, and underwriting.
Not affiliated with SBA. sba-feasibility-study.com is an independent resource and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration or any government agency. For official information visit www.sba.gov.
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