WASHINGTON, D.C. – April 9, 2025 – A stark contrast has emerged between the escalating costs of online searches for urgent financial solutions and the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) concurrent push for financial literacy among small businesses. New data reveals exorbitant prices for keywords related to loans and debt relief, signaling a widespread, immediate demand for financial assistance across various sectors.
The alarming figures come from recent data on Cost-Per-Click (CPC) rates for online advertisements, which have seen a sharp increase. Terms reflecting acute financial needs command premium prices, with “irs tax debt relief program” topping the list at an astonishing $320.00 per click. Other expensive terms underscore complex financial situations:
IRS Tax Debt Relief Program: $320.00
VA Loan Multi Family: $190.00
Tax Credit for College Students: $135.00
VA Loan After Chapter 7: $130.00
How to Get Preapproved for a VA Home Loan: $125.00
Structured Settlement Loan: $105.00
National Guard VA Home Loan: $95.00
Cost to Refinance Home Loan: $95.00
Additional high CPC terms related to VA home loans, FHA loan maximums, and the impact of refinancing on credit scores ranged between $85 and $90. The prevalence of VA loan-related searches, in particular, points to a strong market for services catering to veterans and military families navigating unique financial circumstances or recovering from past challenges.
This significant demand for reactive financial intervention coincides with the SBA’s observance of Financial Literacy Month in April. The agency is actively encouraging American entrepreneurs to proactively enhance their financial acumen through readily available, often free, resources.
“Financial Literacy Month is a perfect time to brush up on the basics of keeping business finances in order,” states the SBA. The agency emphasizes that fundamental principles such as budgeting, saving, borrowing, investing, and bookkeeping are critical pillars for sustainable business success.
To support entrepreneurs in strengthening their financial knowledge, the SBA highlights several valuable resources:
Small Business Development Centers (SBDC): Partnering with nearly 1,000 SBDCs nationwide, the SBA offers personalized advice and technical assistance, including crucial guidance on accessing capital and managing finances.
SCORE Business Mentors: As the largest network of volunteer business mentors in the nation, SCORE provides free, tailored one-on-one advice on financing and other vital topics for entrepreneurs.
SBA Business Guide: A comprehensive, free guide crafted by the SBA to assist businesses at every stage, covering essential topics such such as balance sheets, cost-benefit analyses, and various accounting methods.
MySBA Learning: This free, self-paced online learning platform empowers small business owners to master financial topics through structured “Journeys” and “Excursions.” An example is “Journey 4: Your Business Financial Strategy,” which develops skills in utilizing financial data and projections.
Local Financial Literacy Events: The SBA encourages engaging with local district offices and resource partners to sign up for events that delve into basic financial terms, cash flow management, and more.
The substantial disparity between the high cost of seeking immediate, often crisis-driven, financial aid online and the proactive, no-cost educational support offered by the SBA underscores a vital message: robust financial literacy can mitigate the need for such costly interventions. By leveraging these accessible tools, small business owners can cultivate stronger financial health, potentially reducing reliance on expensive external solutions and fostering long-term stability and growth.
