Business Loan Opportunities
The service of veterans has done a tremendous amount for the United States — on our own soil and around the world. Many continue their contributions to the country by channeling their skills and leadership into entrepreneurial endeavors that help strengthen our economy.
SBA’s Express Loan Program will make it easier to get loans in the hands of veterans so they can succeed in their business ventures. SBA has set the borrower upfront fee to zero for all veteran loans authorized under the SBA Express program, which supports loans of up to $350,000. Additionally through the end of the fiscal year, fees on all loans (and not just for veterans) $150,000 and under are set to zero.
These initiatives make the loans more affordable for the borrower, which is just another way SBA is looking to serve small business owners — and those veterans who have served us — as they look for ways to access capital.
One great feature of the Express Loan Program is that it has an accelerated turnaround time for SBA review. You’ll receive a response to your application within 36 hours. With a fast turnaround, streamlined process and easy-to-use line of credit, this program is SBA’s most popular loan delivery method – nearly 60 percent of all 7(a) loans over the past decade being authorized through the program. Since the program began, it has also been one of the most popular delivery methods for getting capital into the hands of veteran borrowers.
If you're interested in exploring loan options to get your business started, check out these loans that fall under Express Program standards at www.SBA.gov. Our business loan checklist can also help prepare you for the application process, in addition to taking a look at the credit factors lenders will consider when you apply for an SBA-backed loan.
In the transition from military service to customer service, you’ll find great resources from Rose State College SBDC to help you find success. And if you’re looking for funding to get your business off the ground, these loan perks may make it possible to do just that.
Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Businesses
The Veterans Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development Act of 1999 (Public Law 106-50) established an annual government-wide goal of not less than 3 percent of the total value of all prime contract and subcontract awards for participation by small business concerns owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans.
On December 16, 2003, the Veterans Benefits Act of 2003 (Public Law 108-183 (link is external)) was passed by Congress. Section 308 of the Act (Public Law 108-183) established a procurement program for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Concerns (SDVOSBC). This procurement program provides that federal contracting officers may restrict competition to SDVOSBCs and award a sole source or set-aside contract where certain criteria are met.
The Small Business Administration has issued an interim final rule, establishing a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Concern Program. This program establishes the criteria to be used in federal contracting to determine service-disabled veteran status; business ownership and control requirements; guidelines for establishing sole source and set-aside procurement opportunities; and protest and appeal procedures for SDVOSBC procurements.
Eligibility
The purpose of the Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Concern Procurement Program is to provide procuring agencies with the authority to set acquisitions aside for exclusive competition among service-disabled veteran-owned small business concerns, as well as the authority to make sole source awards to service-disabled veteran-owned small business concerns if certain conditions are met. (See Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 13 C.F.R. § 125.8-125.10).
In order to be eligible for the SDVOSBC, you and your business must meet the following criteria:
- The Service Disabled Veteran (SDV) must have a service-connected disability that has been determined by the Department of Veterans Affairs or Department of Defense.
- The SDVOSBC must be small under the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code assigned to the procurement.
- The SDV must unconditionally own 51% of the SDVOSBC.
- The SDVO must control the management and daily operations of the SDVOSBC.
- The SDV must hold the highest officer position in the SDVOSBC.
SDVO Business Control
To be an eligible SDVOSBC the following must be met:
- The management and daily business operations of the concern must be controlled by one or more service-disabled veterans.
- Control by one or more service-disabled veterans means that both the long-term decision making and the day-to-day management and administration of the business operations must be conducted by one or more service-disabled veterans
- The management and daily business operations of which are controlled by one or more service-disabled veterans or, in the case of a service-disabled veterans or, in the case of a service-disabled veteran with permanent and severe disability, the spouse of permanent caregiver of such veteran.
- Service-disabled veteran means a veteran with a disability that is service-connected.
- Ownership must be direct. Ownership by one or more service disabled veterans must be direct ownership.
- A concern owned principally by another business entity that is in turn owned and controlled by one or more service-disabled veterans does not meet this requirement.
For more information and assistance on SDVOB, contact the Rose State College SBDC at (405) 733-7488 or slstephens@rose.edu.
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