Let’s get into today’s topic.  There are five (5) ways that a certified 8(a) business may leave the 8(a) BD program.  The first way is to complete the nine (9) year program term which SBA refers to as graduation.  The next way to exit the program is by voluntary withdrawal or voluntary early graduation.  The difference between the two is the withdrawal means you have not met your goals and objectives in your business plan.  If you have met your goals and objectives, then it would be called a voluntary early graduation.

 

Why would you want to Voluntary Withdrawal or Voluntary Early Graduation?  Well, if you feel you have gotten everything that you can from the program then you can just withdrawal from the program.  Also, if you feel the program is not meeting your expectations, which happens a lot then you can elect to Voluntary Withdrawal