{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/application-fee","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/application-fee","data_freshness":{"sba_records_through":"2026-05-31","fdic_records_through":"2026-03-31","dealroom_last_updated":"2026-06-15","timezone":"America/Chicago"},"source_summary":["Public SBA 7(a) loan records","FDIC institution data","DealRoom lender and franchise enrichment"],"term":{"slug":"application-fee","term":"Application fee","group":"The loan itself","definition":"An application fee is a charge by some lenders for processing your loan application. It covers initial administrative costs, but not all lenders charge one for SBA 7(a) loans.","what_it_means":"While some lenders might charge a small fee, SBA rules generally prohibit lenders from charging application fees for 7(a) loans. Any upfront costs should be clearly disclosed as part of the lender closing costs or packaging fee. Question any significant application fees you encounter.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/application-fee","official_sources":[{"slug":"sop-50-10","title":"SOP 50 10 — Lender and Development Company Loan Programs","official_url":"https://www.sba.gov/document/sop-50-10-lender-development-company-loan-programs","official_label":"View on SBA.gov","authority_tier":2,"publisher":"U.S. Small Business Administration","source_guide_url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/sources/sop-50-10"}],"related":[{"slug":"lender-closing-costs","term":"Lender closing costs","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/lender-closing-costs"},{"slug":"packaging-fee","term":"Packaging fee","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/packaging-fee"},{"slug":"processing-fee","term":"Processing fee","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/processing-fee"},{"slug":"sba-7-a-loan","term":"SBA 7(a) loan","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/sba-7-a-loan"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"Can the lender charge application fees or underwriting fees in addition to the SBA guaranty fee?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/can-the-lender-charge-application-fees-or-underwriting-fees-in-addition-to-the-sba-guarant"},{"question":"Are there any other lender-specific fees beyond the SBA guaranty fee and ongoing servicing fee?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/are-there-any-other-lender-specific-fees-beyond-the-sba-guaranty-fee-and-ongoing-servicing"},{"question":"When is the upfront SBA guaranty fee typically due during the loan application or closing process?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/when-is-the-upfront-sba-guaranty-fee-typically-due-during-the-loan-application-or-closing-"},{"question":"Are there annual servicing fees or other recurring charges beyond the SBA servicing fee?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/are-there-annual-servicing-fees-or-other-recurring-charges-beyond-the-sba-servicing-fee"},{"question":"Can the lender charge an additional \"packaging fee\" on top of the SBA fees?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/can-the-lender-charge-an-additional-packaging-fee-on-top-of-the-sba-fees"},{"question":"Beyond the upfront guaranty fee, what other ongoing fees or charges are associated with an SBA 7(a) loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/beyond-the-upfront-guaranty-fee-what-other-ongoing-fees-or-charges-are-associated-with-an-"}]},"caveats":["Definitions represent DealRoom's plain-English interpretation for buyers; verify regulatory terms against the official SBA and eCFR sources listed.","Not legal, tax, or financial advice, and not an SBA eligibility determination."],"citation":{"label":"DealRoom.so Glossary — Application fee","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/application-fee","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}