{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/is-it-possible-to-finance-a-portion-of-the-seller-s-training-period-for-the-buyer-using-an","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/questions/is-it-possible-to-finance-a-portion-of-the-seller-s-training-period-for-the-buyer-using-an","question":"Is it possible to finance a portion of the seller's training period for the buyer using an SBA 7(a) loan?","topic":"Working capital","audience":"borrower","bot_mode":"buyer","short_answer":"Yes, reasonable costs associated with a seller's training period for the buyer can typically be financed within the working capital component of an SBA 7(a) loan.","rule":"Costs for a reasonable transition and training period by the seller are considered legitimate business expenses that contribute to the successful transfer of ownership and operation. These can be included as part of the overall acquisition costs or working capital.","example":"A buyer agrees to pay the seller $10,000 for a two-month training and transition period after closing. This $10,000 can be included in the SBA 7(a) loan's working capital or acquisition cost allocation.","what_lenders_check":"Lenders ensure the training period and associated costs are reasonable and customary for the industry, typically for a limited duration, and clearly outlined in the purchase agreement to prevent inflated or indefinite expenses.","required_facts":[],"source_families":["SOP 50 10 - Lender and Development Company Loan Programs","13 CFR Part 120 - Business Loans"],"official_sources":[{"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":"13 CFR Part 120 - Business Loans","url":"https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-13/chapter-I/part-120"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"What are the specific categories of working capital that can be financed by an SBA 7(a) loan for a new business acquisition?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/what-are-the-specific-categories-of-working-capital-that-can-be-financed-by-an-sba-7-a-loa"},{"question":"Can an SBA 7(a) loan finance the purchase of initial inventory for a retail business acquisition?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/can-an-sba-7-a-loan-finance-the-purchase-of-initial-inventory-for-a-retail-business-acquis"},{"question":"Can an SBA 7(a) loan include funds for operational expenses like payroll and utilities for the first few months after acquisition?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/can-an-sba-7-a-loan-include-funds-for-operational-expenses-like-payroll-and-utilities-for-"},{"question":"Can an SBA 7(a) loan be used to refinance existing business debt as part of an acquisition?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/can-an-sba-7-a-loan-be-used-to-refinance-existing-business-debt-as-part-of-an-acquisition"},{"question":"What is the SBA's requirement for a buyer's post-closing working capital position?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/what-is-the-sba-s-requirement-for-a-buyer-s-post-closing-working-capital-position"},{"question":"Can an SBA 7(a) loan be used to acquire an existing business with existing business debt?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/can-an-sba-7-a-loan-be-used-to-acquire-an-existing-business-with-existing-business-debt"}],"related_terms":[{"term":"Seller-Financed Portion","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/seller-financed-portion"},{"term":"Transition and Training Period","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/transition-and-training-period"},{"term":"Seller's lien","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/seller-s-lien"},{"term":"Seller's equity","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/seller-s-equity"},{"term":"Seller's Financing","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/seller-s-financing"},{"term":"Buyer Equity","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/buyer-equity"}],"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/sba-7a/questions/is-it-possible-to-finance-a-portion-of-the-seller-s-training-period-for-the-buyer-using-an","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."]}