Level 1 - Eligibility Track

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Online  

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Thursday, January 01, 2026 - Thursday, December 31, 2026   iCalendar Central Standard Time

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On Demand Course — Now Available!

Understand what it means for a business to meet the eligibility requirements for SBA 7(a) financing. This track provides practical insights into what businesses are eligible, always ineligible, and the exceptions, franchises, and other program eligibility requirements.

Fee (per person):

• Members:   $495
• Non-Members:   $695

Overview

The Level 1 Eligibility track builds essential knowledge for identifying business applicants eligible for SBA 7(a) loans from the types and structures of businesses allowed to guaranty percentages and maturities.

Across six courses, learners gain a practical understanding of loan eligibility and ineligibility, if a business qualifies as “small,” using the Credit Elsewhere test, and eligible uses of proceeds. The track is fully on demand, allowing learners to move at their own pace, with 30 days to complete all coursework.

Course 1 – Eligibility Overview
Course 2 – Ineligible Businesses Exceptions
Course 3 – Size Standard and Affiliation 
Course 4 – Credit Elsewhere, Franchise and Management Agreements 
Course 5 – Use of Proceeds
Course 6 – Additional SBA Program Requirements

Requirements

No prerequisites are required to take this track. However, it is highly recommended that each learner complete the following courses before beginning this track:

Cornerstones: Introduction to SBA, 7(a) and NAGGL

Foundations in 7(a) Lending

Earn

• 1 of 5 Required tracks to earn the Level 1 Mastery badge
• 1 of 4 Required tracks to earn the Eligibility Specialist badge
• Completion of this track earns 5 CEUs (valid for 24 months from the date of completion)