Small Business Loans for Veterans

In order to qualify for a waived guaranty fee for an SBA Express loan, you’ll need to meet the following requirements:

51% or more of the business is owned by a veteran (excluding those with a dishonorable discharge), service-disabled veteran, Active Duty Military service member in the Transition Assistance Program, reservist, National Guard Member, the current spouse of any of the groups mentioned above, or a widowed spouse of a service member who died while in service or due to a service-related disability.

Documentation requirements include:

• For veterans: Copy of Form DD214
• For Transitioning Active-Duty, Reservists and National Guard: DD Form 2 and DD Form 2648
• Current spouse of veteran: Veteran’s Form DD 214 and evidence of marital status.
• Widow of Active Duty Service Member or Widowed Spouse of Veteran: Documentation from DOD or from DVA.

Several amazing business grants are earmarked for veterans, while others accept a wider range of applicants. As you might expect, business grants are extremely popular, and it can be difficult to receive one even if you meet the qualifications. But it’s always worth looking into this avenue of funding to see if you can give your business a boost.

Here are 10 small business grants you should check out first:

1. StreetShares Awards – No veteran stands alone, so this organization strives to provide support for the families of those who serve our country. Multiple grant options are available through StreetShares as well as other resources to aid your entrepreneurial pursuits.
2. USDA Grants – The United States Department of Agriculture started the 2501 Program as a way to support veterans and other socially disadvantaged farmers. If you work in the farming or ranching industry and qualify for one of the USDA’s grants, you can get money and additional benefits to support your business.
3. Warrior Rising Grants – The Warrior Rising organization was founded by military veterans dedicated to helping their fellow “vetrepreneurs.” There’s a strong sense of camaraderie among those who participate, and participants benefit mightily from the grants, training, and mentorship provided.
4. Department of Veterans Affairs Small Business Grants – These grants are offered to veterans who helm nonprofit organizations. If you’re looking to make a positive impact in your community, check out the qualifications and see if one of these VA small business grants could work for you.
5. National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) Growth Grants Program – The goal of these business development grants is to help small business owners from all backgrounds to reach their goals.
6. The Tony Burch Foundation’s Fellows Program – This program awards grants to women in small business, which includes veterans. The grants are valued at $5,000.
7. Open Meadows Foundation – If your small business is doing something to make the world a better place, consider seeking a grant from this popular program.
8. FedEx Small Business Grant Contest – The competition can be fierce for these grants, but your efforts can pay off in a big way if you’re awarded a $50,000 grant.
9. Rural Business Development Grants – If your business operates in a rural area, you might be able to secure a lucrative grant from this program.
10. The Save Small Business Fund – These grants are intended to provide a crucial boost to small businesses with 20 employees or fewer.

Beyond these grants, you should also check out Grants.gov to explore veteran business grants provided by the federal government. 

You might have heard of VA Loans. Rather than focusing on businesses, they are a type of mortgage offered through the Department of Veterans Affairs. The program allows veterans, service members, and surviving spouses to purchase homes with very little down payment, and sometimes no down payment at all. VA loans also don’t require borrowers to purchase private mortgage insurance and approved applicants can typically expect low interest rates compared to other mortgage lenders.

The VA does not offer business loans or grants for veterans running a business or interested in starting one up.

The SBA does not loan money directly to veteran-owned small businesses, nor is there an SBA loan type specifically for veterans. Generally, most SBA loan programs utilize another lender to actually service SBA loans. 

The SBA used to run a lending program for veterans called Veterans Advantage 7(a) loan program, but that program no longer exists. These VA small business loans were set aside specifically to help veterans succeed as entrepreneurs, and they were a prime example of special benefits not available to the general public.

However, vets can benefit from some perks. For instance, the SBA waives guaranty fees for veterans applying for Express loans. This relief for veteran small business owners was passed as part of the 2020 CARES Act, aimed at mitigating the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on small businesses.

There are also Military Economic Injury Loans designed to help military reservists who run small businesses to overcome any negative impacts that may have occurred during the time they were on active duty.

The agency also provides assistance to those who have been disabled during the time of their service with the 8(a) Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business Contracting Program. This program helps qualifying veterans apply for lucrative government contracts that aren’t available to the general public.

SBA loans and most other forms of business financing can be used for nearly all facets of running your business. This includes:

•       Buying land or property, or paying rent for an office
•       Payroll
•       Buying an existing business
•       Refinancing your existing debt
•       Buying inventory or equipment
•       Buying any other needed furniture or supplies

With any financing or grant, check the terms closely to ensure you can use the funds on what your business needs.

There are plenty of valuable resources and funding sources tailored to veterans. Here are some options to explore:

1. The Hivers and Strivers Angel Fund – This fund provides cash for entrepreneurs who graduated from a military academy. If this description matches your experience, you should definitely check out this well-respected angel fund.
2. VA Office of Small & Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) – For small business owners who rely on government contracts, it can open some exciting opportunities.
3. Bank of America Veteran Entrepreneur Lending Program – This program is intended to provide a crucial boost to those wanting to launch or expand a small business. It sets aside a total of $20 million that can be accessed through participating community development financial institutions (CDFIs).
4. Office of Veterans Business Development (OVBD) – This program offers business assessments and analysis, pre-business plan workshops, entrepreneurial training, and mentorship programs.
5. Veteran Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship (V-WISE) – A business and entrepreneurship training program for women veterans and women military spouses. The comprehensive program includes a 15-day online training, a 3-day entrepreneurship conference, and, finally, access to valuable ongoing business resources.
6. VetFran is an initiative of the International Franchise Association that connects veterans with discounted franchising opportunities and other educational resources.

As with all of the other options listed in this guide, the individual requirements for these funds and resources vary dramatically. Be sure to review the qualifications carefully before applying.

Five mistakes have sunk more than a few applications:

1. Not meeting the credit requirements – Every loan has specific requirements for your financial history—and your application won’t even get a glimpse if you don’t have a qualifying credit score. Nip this problem in the bud by monitoring your score with Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax, and then only apply for loans that you qualify for.
2. Choosing a loan that doesn’t match up with your needs – Beyond the credit requirements, numerous factors make certain loans optimal for various business scenarios. For example, some lenders refuse to work with businesses in high-risk industries. Make sure you align with a lender’s specifications before you click submit on any application.
3. Failing to complete the application – This mistake sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised how many well-meaning entrepreneurs submit applications without filling out all of the pages. Following the lender’s instructions dutifully is the best way to get them to return the favor by reviewing your application.
4. Not including all the necessary documents – If a lender requests a certain document from applicants, they expect to see it—so it’s a red flag when you fail to follow directions from the get-go. Make sure you’ve gathered all the required documents, and then double-check that you’ve included them before sending in your application.
5. Not hitting deadlines – Lenders typically run a tight ship. Carefully make a note of all deadlines associated with a loan application, then stay at least one day ahead of them. That way, if something unpredictable arises, you’ll have time to find a solution.