{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/eligibility-certification","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/eligibility-certification","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":"eligibility-certification","term":"Eligibility Certification","group":"People and paperwork","definition":"A formal statement confirming that you and your business meet all the SBA's requirements to receive a 7(a) loan. It's a critical part of your loan application.","what_it_means":"You'll sign this certification, often as part of SBA Form 1919, attesting to your and the business's eligibility for the loan program. False certifications can lead to loan default, legal penalties, and the SBA calling its guaranty. Double-check everything.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/eligibility-certification","official_sources":[{"slug":"sba-form-1919","title":"SBA Form 1919 — Borrower Information Form","official_url":"https://www.sba.gov/document/sba-form-1919-borrower-information-form","official_label":"View on SBA.gov","authority_tier":4,"publisher":"U.S. Small Business Administration","source_guide_url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/sources/sba-form-1919"},{"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":"form-1919","term":"Form 1919","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/form-1919"},{"slug":"good-character","term":"Good character","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/good-character"},{"slug":"affiliation","term":"Affiliation","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/affiliation"},{"slug":"ineligible-businesses-rule","term":"Ineligible businesses rule","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/ineligible-businesses-rule"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"What eligibility certifications are collected on SBA Form 1919 that are crucial for a 7(a) loan application?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-eligibility-certifications-are-collected-on-sba-form-1919-that-are-crucial-for-a-7-a-"},{"question":"What specific certifications about criminal history are required from principals on SBA Form 1919 for 7(a) loan eligibility?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-specific-certifications-about-criminal-history-are-required-from-principals-on-sba-fo"},{"question":"What specific certifications on SBA Form 1919 are critical for an applicant's eligibility, and how does a lender verify them?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-specific-certifications-on-sba-form-1919-are-critical-for-an-applicant-s-eligibility-"},{"question":"Which specific lender certifications are required on the Lender's Application for Guaranty (or its E-Tran equivalent) to ensure loan eligibility?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/which-specific-lender-certifications-are-required-on-the-lender-s-application-for-guaranty"},{"question":"Which specific eligibility certifications are collected on SBA Form 1919 that are crucial for a 7(a) loan application and must be verified by the lender?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/which-specific-eligibility-certifications-are-collected-on-sba-form-1919-that-are-crucial-"},{"question":"How does the SBA define a 'speculative' business for eligibility?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/how-does-the-sba-define-a-speculative-business-for-eligibility"}]},"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 — Eligibility Certification","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/eligibility-certification","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}