{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/are-there-specific-circumstances-under-which-the-upfront-sba-7-a-loan-guaranty-fee-can-be-","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/questions/are-there-specific-circumstances-under-which-the-upfront-sba-7-a-loan-guaranty-fee-can-be-","question":"Are there specific circumstances under which the upfront SBA 7(a) loan guaranty fee can be waived?","topic":"Guaranty fees","audience":"lender","bot_mode":"lender","short_answer":"Yes, the SBA upfront guaranty fee can be waived for specific loan programs, such as certain Export Loan programs, or for specific borrower categories like veteran-owned businesses, depending on current fiscal year policies.","rule":"While typically a standard fee applies, the SBA may, through annual policy notices or specific program mandates, waive or reduce the upfront guaranty fee. For example, some export-related 7(a) loans (e.g., Export Express, International Trade Loans) have had reduced or waived fees. Similarly, veteran-owned businesses have sometimes benefited from fee waivers. Lenders must consult the latest SBA Policy Notices for the relevant fiscal year to confirm current fee structures and waivers.","example":"A veteran-owned small business applies for a $200,000 7(a) loan. The lender checks the current fiscal year's fee schedule and finds that the upfront guaranty fee for loans under $350,000 to veteran-owned businesses is waived. The lender would then not charge this fee.","what_lenders_check":"Lenders must stay current with SBA Policy Notices regarding fee waivers, which are often tied to specific fiscal years or program initiatives. Incorrectly charging a fee when a waiver applies, or failing to apply a fee when it's due, can lead to compliance issues.","required_facts":["Loan program type","Borrower category (e.g., veteran)","Current fiscal year policy","SBA Policy Notices","Fee waiver status"],"source_families":["7(a) Fees Effective During Fiscal Year 2026","SOP 50 10 - Lender and Development Company Loan Programs","7(a) Loan Program Terms, Conditions, and Eligibility"],"official_sources":[{"title":"7(a) Fees Effective During Fiscal Year 2026","url":"https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/2025-08/Info%20Notice%20-%207%28a%29%20Fees%20FY%202026%20%28FINAL%208-28-25%29.pdf"},{"title":"SOP 50 10 - Lender and Development Company Loan Programs","url":"https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/2025-05/SOP%2050%2010%208%20Technical%20Updates%20effective%206.1.2025.docx"},{"title":"7(a) Loan Program Terms, Conditions, and Eligibility","url":"https://www.sba.gov/partners/lenders/7a-loan-program/terms-conditions-eligibility"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"How is the upfront guaranty fee calculated for a 7(a) loan of $500,000 for FY2026?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/how-is-the-upfront-guaranty-fee-calculated-for-a-7-a-loan-of-500-000-for-fy2026"},{"question":"What is the process for a lender to remit the SBA upfront guaranty fee after loan closing?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-is-the-process-for-a-lender-to-remit-the-sba-upfront-guaranty-fee-after-loan-closing"},{"question":"How does the SBA calculate the 7(a) loan guaranty fee when the loan amount is precisely $1,000,000 for FY2026?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/how-does-the-sba-calculate-the-7-a-loan-guaranty-fee-when-the-loan-amount-is-precisely-1-0"},{"question":"When is the ongoing SBA servicing fee (annual service fee) for a 7(a) loan typically collected from the lender?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/when-is-the-ongoing-sba-servicing-fee-annual-service-fee-for-a-7-a-loan-typically-collecte"},{"question":"How do the upfront SBA guaranty fees differ for 7(a) loans between $150,001 and $700,000 for FY2026?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/how-do-the-upfront-sba-guaranty-fees-differ-for-7-a-loans-between-150-001-and-700-000-for-"},{"question":"How do the ongoing annual service fees for 7(a) loans impact the lender's accounting and remittance to SBA?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/how-do-the-ongoing-annual-service-fees-for-7-a-loans-impact-the-lender-s-accounting-and-re"}],"related_terms":[{"term":"SBA 7(a) loan guaranty","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/sba-7-a-loan-guaranty"},{"term":"SBA Upfront Guaranty Fee","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/sba-upfront-guaranty-fee"},{"term":"Upfront Guaranty Fee","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/upfront-guaranty-fee"},{"term":"SBA 7(a) loan","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/sba-7-a-loan"},{"term":"7(a) loan","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/7a-loan"},{"term":"SBA 7(a) Loan Program","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/sba-7-a-loan-program"}],"related_tools":[{"name":"SBA 7(a) payment & fee calculator","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/calculator"},{"name":"Find an active SBA 7(a) lender","url":"https://dealroom.so/lenders"}],"data_freshness":{"last_reviewed":"2026-06-13","sba_rule_sources_checked_through":"2026-06-13"},"citation":{"label":"DealRoom.so SBA 7(a) Q&A","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/are-there-specific-circumstances-under-which-the-upfront-sba-7-a-loan-guaranty-fee-can-be-","source_type":"DealRoom Q&A"},"caveats":["Grounded in the current SBA rulebook; verify against official sources before relying on it for a live deal.","Not legal, tax, or financial advice and not an approval decision."]}