# Does the veteran fee waiver apply to standard 7(a) or 504 loans?

**Short answer:** No. SOP 50 10 8.1, Sec. A, Ch. 4, Para. C.1 writes the waiver "For SBA Express only". The FY2027 7(a) and 504 fee notices list no veteran exception for other programs.

Canonical page: https://www.sbaexpress.loans/answers/veteran-fee-waiver-other-sba-loans/
Last checked: 2026-11-08

No. The upfront fee waiver applies to SBA Express loans only. SOP 50 10 8.1, Sec. A, Ch. 4, Para. C.1 opens it with the words "For SBA Express only". 13 CFR 120.220(a)(3) covers loans under section 7(a)(31), the SBA Express program.

## What other 7(a) loans pay

Information Notice 5000-881797 lists no veteran exception for Standard 7(a), 7(a) Small, CAPLines, Export Express or International Trade loans. They follow the FY2027 schedule (p. 2):

- Loans of $150,000 or less: 2% of the guaranteed portion.
- Loans of $150,001 to $700,000: 3% of the guaranteed portion.
- Larger loans: 3.5% of the guaranteed portion up to $1,000,000, plus 3.75% of the guaranteed portion over $1,000,000.

Those loans can still qualify for the separate waiver on loans of $700,000 or less to manufacturers, listed food businesses and rural businesses (p. 1).

## 504 loans

Information Notice 5000-881796 sets the FY2027 upfront fee at 0.50% and the annual service fee at 0.203% of the outstanding balance. It has no veteran exception. Expansion of veteran-owned businesses is a 504 public policy goal under 13 CFR 120.862(b)(4). A project that meets a goal is eligible if the Certified Development Company (CDC)'s portfolio meets its job average. That goal is not a fee waiver.

If you are a veteran and the fee matters, compare SBA Express against other programs on total cost, including the rate.

## Sources

- [SOP 50 10 8.1, Sec. A, Ch. 4, Para. C.1.a.i (Para. C begins p. 62)](https://legacy.sba.gov/sites/default/files/2026-10/SOP%2050%2010%208.1%20Technical%20Policy%20Updates%20effective%20%2010.1.2026.docx)
- [13 CFR § 120.220(a)(3)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-13/section-120.220)
- [SBA Information Notice 5000-881797, pp. 1-3 (effective October 1, 2026)](https://legacy.sba.gov/document/information-notice-5000-881797-fy-2027-7a-program-fees)
- [SBA Information Notice 5000-881796, p. 1 (effective October 1, 2026)](https://legacy.sba.gov/document/information-notice-5000-881796-fy-2027-504-program-fees)
- [13 CFR § 120.862(b)(4)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-13/section-120.862)