An SBA 7(a) Small Loan is a type of 7(a) loan and is identical to the 7(a) standard loan in many ways. The main difference is that the loan maximum is $350,000 rather than $5 million and there are no collateral requirements for loans of $25,000 or less. The SBA 7(a) small loan application process may be easier than a full standard SBA loan application if you pass the SBA credit prescreen.. The result can depend on your personal and business’ credit and finances. Failing the prescreen doesn’t mean you can’t get approved, but you’ll need to complete and submit a full SBA 7(a) standard loan application.