Borrower guide · Process & cost
SBA loan closing costs
SBA loans carry their own fee stack. Most of it can be financed, but you should know what each line is before it lands on your closing statement.
The SBA guaranty fee
The guaranty fee is charged on the guaranteed portion of the loan and rises with size and term. The SBA sets the exact percentages each fiscal year and frequently reduces or zeroes them on smaller loans, so confirm the current schedule — the loan cost calculator carries it. The fee can be financed rather than paid out of pocket.
Third-party reports
Real-estate deals need an appraisal, title work and often an environmental review; a business acquisition may need a business valuation. These are paid to outside vendors, typically a few hundred to a few thousand dollars each depending on scope.
Lender and packaging fees
Lenders may charge a packaging or processing fee (a packager preparing the file), plus standard closing and recording costs. Fees are disclosed on the SBA authorization; ask for the itemized list early so nothing is a surprise at the table.
What you can finance
Most eligible closing costs — the guaranty fee, many third-party reports, and soft costs — can be rolled into the loan rather than paid in cash, which is why the SBA structure is friendlier to thin-capital buyers than a conventional loan.
Loan cost calculator
Add the guaranty fee and closing costs to see your real all-in cost and monthly payment.
Total your closing costs →Fees in proportion
our dataOn the median $178,850 loan, the fee stack is a modest share of the deal — and because most of it can be financed, it rarely changes whether a borrower can close. It does change the amount you borrow, so it feeds directly into your payment. Run the all-in cost below.
Common questions
What are the closing costs on an SBA loan?
The main one is the SBA guaranty fee (scaled by size and term), plus third-party reports, lender packaging and standard closing charges. Most can be financed into the loan.
Can I finance SBA closing costs?
Yes — the guaranty fee and most eligible soft costs can be rolled into the loan rather than paid in cash.
Is the SBA guaranty fee always charged?
No. The SBA sets fees each fiscal year and often reduces or waives them on smaller loans, so check the current schedule.
Keep going
Rules described here follow SBA SOP 50 10 8 (effective June 1, 2025) and can change; lenders add their own overlays. This is education, not advice — confirm specifics with your lender. Figures cited as “our data” come from the SBA 7(a) & 504 FOIA record, released 2026-06-30.