{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/eligibility-requirement","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/eligibility-requirement","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-requirement","term":"Eligibility requirement","group":"The loan itself","definition":"Specific criteria set by the SBA that both the borrower and the business must meet to qualify for a 7(a) loan. Failing any requirement means no loan.","what_it_means":"Before applying, confirm that both you and the target business meet all SBA eligibility requirements, including size standards, for-profit status, and not engaging in ineligible activities. Lenders rigorously check these, and any missed detail can lead to a declined application or even a guaranty purchase request denial later.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/eligibility-requirement","official_sources":[{"slug":"13-cfr-part-120","title":"13 CFR Part 120 — Business Loans","official_url":"https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-13/chapter-I/part-120","official_label":"View on eCFR","authority_tier":1,"publisher":"Office of the Federal Register","source_guide_url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/sources/13-cfr-part-120"},{"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":"small-business-size-standard","term":"Small business size standard","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/small-business-size-standard"},{"slug":"for-profit-business","term":"For-profit business","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/for-profit-business"},{"slug":"ineligible-activity","term":"Ineligible activity","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/ineligible-activity"},{"slug":"7a-loan","term":"7(a) loan","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/7a-loan"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"What specific requirements apply to a franchise system for SBA 7(a) loan eligibility?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/what-specific-requirements-apply-to-a-franchise-system-for-sba-7-a-loan-eligibility"},{"question":"What specific residency requirements must a non-citizen owner meet for 7(a) loan eligibility?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-specific-residency-requirements-must-a-non-citizen-owner-meet-for-7-a-loan-eligibilit"},{"question":"What are the basic eligibility requirements for a business to get an SBA 7(a) loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/what-are-the-basic-eligibility-requirements-for-a-business-to-get-an-sba-7-a-loan"},{"question":"What are the eligibility requirements for a franchise business not listed on the SBA Franchise Directory?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-are-the-eligibility-requirements-for-a-franchise-business-not-listed-on-the-sba-franc"},{"question":"Is \"insurable interest\" always a legal requirement for obtaining business life insurance?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/is-insurable-interest-always-a-legal-requirement-for-obtaining-business-life-insurance"},{"question":"Is profitability a strict requirement for getting an SBA 7(a) loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/is-profitability-a-strict-requirement-for-getting-an-sba-7-a-loan"}]},"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 requirement","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/eligibility-requirement","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}