{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/eligibility-rule","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/eligibility-rule","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-rule","term":"Eligibility Rule","group":"The loan itself","definition":"Specific criteria established by the SBA that both the borrower and the business must meet to qualify for a 7(a) loan. These rules cover everything from business type to owner citizenship.","what_it_means":"Before investing significant time and money, ensure both you and the target business comply with all SBA Eligibility Rules. Common pitfalls include businesses on the ineligible list (e.g., passive businesses, non-profits) or owners failing citizenship/credit requirements. Your lender will rigorously check these before approving your loan.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/eligibility-rule","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":"ineligible-businesses-rule","term":"Ineligible businesses rule","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/ineligible-businesses-rule"},{"slug":"qualified-alien","term":"Qualified Alien","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/qualified-alien"},{"slug":"good-character","term":"Good character","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/good-character"},{"slug":"credit-elsewhere-test","term":"Credit elsewhere test","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/credit-elsewhere-test"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"How does the 'franchise rule' affect affiliation calculations for SBA 7(a) eligibility?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/how-does-the-franchise-rule-affect-affiliation-calculations-for-sba-7-a-eligibility"},{"question":"How does the SBA define 'active ownership' for the 24-month rule?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/how-does-the-sba-define-active-ownership-for-the-24-month-rule"},{"question":"How does the 'not engaged in lending' rule apply to a loan applicant?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/how-does-the-not-engaged-in-lending-rule-apply-to-a-loan-applicant"},{"question":"What is the 24-month ownership rule for a $0-down SBA partner buyout?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/what-is-the-24-month-ownership-rule-for-a-0-down-sba-partner-buyout"},{"question":"How does the SBA define 'total control' rule to determine affiliation for size standards?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/how-does-the-sba-define-total-control-rule-to-determine-affiliation-for-size-standards"},{"question":"How does the SBA's \"all available collateral\" rule apply when business assets are limited?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/how-does-the-sba-s-all-available-collateral-rule-apply-when-business-assets-are-limited"}]},"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 Rule","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/eligibility-rule","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}