SBA loan basics
Short answer
There are fees associated with an SBA 7(a) loan that are paid to the SBA, but they are typically collected by the lender and then remitted to the SBA. You won't usually pay the SBA directly.
The primary fee paid to the SBA is the upfront guaranty fee, which is a percentage of the guaranteed portion of the loan. This fee is typically financed into the loan or paid at closing. There is also an ongoing annual servicing fee, also based on the guaranteed portion, which is usually collected by the lender from your monthly payments and remitted to the SBA.
For a $1,000,000 loan with an 80% SBA guaranty, the upfront fee might be based on $800,000. If the fee rate is 3%, then $24,000 would be paid to the SBA through the lender. This fee is often included in the total loan amount.
7(a) Loan Program — Terms, Conditions, and Eligibility
U.S. Small Business Administration · Official SBA source
7(a) Fees Effective During Fiscal Year 2026
SOP 50 10 - Lender and Development Company Loan Programs
SBA 7(a) Loan Guaranty Fee Calculator
Last checked 2026-06-14. Official sources control — verify before relying on any rule for a live deal.
Last reviewed 2026-06-14 · SBA sources checked through 2026-06-14. DealRoom analysis of public SBA 7(a) lending records (FY2020–present). Grounded in the current SBA rulebook; verify against the official sources above before relying on it for a live deal. Not legal, tax, or financial advice, and not an approval decision.
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