Glossary · People and paperwork
In short
A person who owes allegiance to the U.S. and is entitled to its protection, but is not necessarily a U.S. citizen. The SBA has specific eligibility rules for non-citizens.
For a 7(a) loan, the borrower (you) must be a U.S. citizen or a "Qualified Alien" legally admitted for permanent residence. A U.S. National, while not a citizen, typically meets the "Qualified Alien" criteria. You'll need to provide documentation like Form I-551 (Green Card) to prove your status if you're not a citizen.
13 CFR Part 120 — Business Loans
Office of the Federal Register · Federal regulation
SOP 50 10 — Lender and Development Company Loan Programs
U.S. Small Business Administration · SBA Standard Operating Procedure
Last checked 2026-06-15. Official sources control — verify before relying on any rule for a live deal.
Defined by DealRoom.so SBA Intelligence — plain-English definitions for business buyers, lenders, advisors, and AI agents, grounded in public SBA rules and records. Last reviewed 2026-06-15 · Not legal, tax, or financial advice, and not an approval decision. Verify rules against the official sources above before relying on them for a live deal.
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