Who Can Help Me Get an SBA Loan and Write a Business Plan for Free?

SBA Resource Partners can. SCORE mentors give advice at no cost, Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) offer counseling on business planning and access to capital, Women's Business Centers offer free to low-cost help, and Veterans Business Outreach Centers help veterans and military families build business plans.

$5 millionSBA loans come from SBA-approved lenders, which you can reach through SBA's Lender Match tool. 7(a) loans go up to $5 million, and microloans go up to $50,000.
$50,000SBA loans come from SBA-approved lenders, which you can reach through SBA's Lender Match tool. 7(a) loans go up to $5 million, and microloans go up to $50,000.

You do not need to pay a consultant to get ready for an SBA loan. The U.S. Small Business Administration funds a nationwide network of Resource Partners that offer counseling, training, and mentoring, including help with business plans and getting access to capital. SCORE mentors give advice at no cost, Small Business Development Centers provide individualized advising, Women's Business Centers offer free to low-cost help, and Veterans Business Outreach Centers work with veterans, service members, and military spouses. These partners help you prepare, but they do not make the loan. SBA loans come from SBA-approved lenders, which you can reach through SBA's Lender Match tool. 7(a) loans go up to $5 million, and microloans go up to $50,000.

Last checked: November 7, 2026. This page explains the rules only. It is general information, not legal, tax, or financial advice.

The short version

SCORE	volunteer, expert mentors who give area-specific advice at no cost on financing, business planning, and more, by email, phone, and video.
Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs)	one-on-one advising and technical assistance on business planning, financial management, and accessing capital.
Women's Business Centers (WBCs)	free to low-cost counseling and training focused on women starting and growing businesses.
Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOCs)	workshops, counseling, and business plan help for service members, veterans, National Guard and Reserve members, and military spouses.
SBA's Lender Match	a tool that connects you with SBA-approved lenders. Lenders make the credit decision.

Who qualifies

Anyone starting or running a small business can use SCORE mentors and SBDC advising.
Women entrepreneurs can use Women's Business Centers, which focus on helping women start and grow businesses.
Service members, veterans, National Guard and Reserve members, military spouses, and family members can use Veterans Business Outreach Centers.
Pre-venture entrepreneurs count. SBA says SBDCs serve existing small businesses and people who have not started yet.

What free help covers

SBA describes SBDC help as including access to capital, business planning, strategy, financial management, and marketing. SCORE mentors meet with clients on an ongoing basis and also offer workshops, webinars, and on-demand courses. VBOCs help clients develop a business plan covering the legal form of the business, equipment costs, organization, market analysis, and a financial plan. SBA's own business guide explains the two common plan formats: a detailed traditional plan, which SBA suggests if you plan to request financing from traditional sources, and a one-page lean startup plan. SBA also offers free sample business plans you can download.

How to get it

How to get started

Go to SBA's local assistance tool and enter your ZIP code to find SCORE mentors, SBDCs, Women's Business Centers, or VBOCs near you.
Book a first meeting and bring what you have: your idea, rough startup costs, and any financial records.
Draft your business plan with your advisor. Use SBA's traditional business plan format if you will ask a lender for money.
Work with your advisor on financial projections and on which SBA loan fits: a microloan of up to $50,000 or a 7(a) loan of up to $5 million.
Use SBA's Lender Match to reach SBA-approved lenders, then compare the offers you get.
Be careful with anyone who promises SBA loan approval for a fee. SBA's Resource Partners help at no cost or low cost, and SBA only communicates from email addresses ending in @sba.gov.

Programs that may match

Look beyond free advising

How to get an SBA loan.SBA microloan requirements.SBA 504 loan down payment.Using an SBA loan to buy a business.Does the SBA give grants?.Find other programs you may qualify for with FundPlenty's free match at fundplenty.com.

FAQ

Who can help me write a business plan for free?

SBA Resource Partners. SCORE mentors give advice at no cost, including on business planning. SBDCs help with business planning and financial management. Women's Business Centers offer free to low-cost counseling, and VBOCs help veterans and military families develop business plans.

Can someone help me apply for an SBA loan for free?

Yes. SBA says SBDCs help small businesses access capital, and SCORE mentors give no-cost advice on financing. They help you prepare, but the loan itself comes from an SBA-approved lender, which makes the credit decision.

How do I find an SBA lender?

Use SBA's Lender Match tool, which connects you with SBA-approved lenders. You can also ask your SBDC or SCORE mentor for lender introductions.

Do I need a business plan to get an SBA loan?

Lenders set their own requirements, so ask yours. SBA says business plans can help you get funding and suggests a traditional business plan if you plan to request financing from traditional sources.

Is there free help for veterans and women business owners?

Yes. Veterans Business Outreach Centers serve service members, veterans, National Guard and Reserve members, military spouses, and family members. Women's Business Centers offer free to low-cost counseling and training for women entrepreneurs.

How big can an SBA loan be?

The maximum 7(a) loan is $5 million. Microloans go up to $50,000, and SBA says the average microloan is about $13,000. Both must be repaid.