How long can you take to repay an SBA microloan?
Short answer
Up to 7 years. 13 CFR § 120.707(b) requires each microloan to be repaid within that time. The intermediary sets your actual term based on the amount, the use, its requirements and your needs.
Each microloan must be repaid within 7 years (13 CFR § 120.707(b)). That is a ceiling, and your intermediary can set a shorter term.
What sets your term
SBA says repayment terms depend on the loan amount, the planned use, the lender's requirements and the owner's needs (sba.gov/loans/microloans, read November 8, 2026). SBA publishes no standard schedule by loan size.
One SBA table shows a different number
A program comparison table on sba.gov/sba-lenders (read November 8, 2026) says no more than 6 years. The regulation and SBA's microloan page both say seven. Follow the regulation.
How other programs compare
The regulation defines a microloan as a short-term, fixed-rate loan (13 CFR § 120.701). A 7(a) working capitalMoney for day-to-day costs such as payroll, rent and inventory. Full definition loan can run up to 10 years (SOP 50 10 8.1, App. 17, Para. A.1). A 504 loan runs 10, 20 or 25 years.
Payments and payoff
The regulation does not set a borrower payment schedule or a prepayment rule. Ask the intermediary for its schedule, and ask whether it charges for early payoff. For help with a balance or due date, SBA says to contact your microlender directly.
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