LET’S UNLOCK YOUR BENEFITS, TOGETHER.
First things first: find out if you’re eligible for a VA loan.
Hear about requirements from The VA Loan Nerd himself:
WHO QUALIFIES FOR A VA HOME LOAN?
To apply for a VA-backed loan, you’ll need a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) to prove you meet the qualifications. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs provides instructions on how to request your COE, and we are happy to help walk you through the process. Keep scrolling to learn more.
Active-Duty Service Members
The VA considers you “active duty” if you have already served at least 90 consecutive days (excluding entry level training).
Surviving Spouses of Veterans
You are eligible for a VA home loan if you meet the current qualifications for a surviving spouse.
National Guard or Reserves Personnel
If you are National Guard or Reserves, you qualify after serving six years, or 90 days active duty with at least 30 being consecutive under Title 10 or Title 32 orders.
Veterans
You were active duty for at least 90 consecutive days during wartime or 181 days in peacetime. Veterans who received a dishonorable discharge do not typically qualify, though in some cases we may be able to help. Reach out to us to chat.
Other Requirements of VA Loans
Loan Limit & Monthly Payment
If you have your full entitlement available, you can buy whatever house, condo, or new construction fits your fancy with $0 down as long as you qualify for the minimum monthly payment. If you have a financial guarantee from the VA on another property, we will pull your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) and strategize together on how to maximize your remaining entitlement.
Minimum Credit Score
The Department of Veterans Affairs doesn't set a minimum credit score requirement for VA loans, though lenders may set their own minimum requirements. Most lenders require a score of at least 620, but some accept a score as low as 500.
If you check these boxes, then it’s time to start your journey home!
A CLOSER LOOK: MINIMUM ACTIVE-DUTY SERVICE REQUIREMENTS
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If you’ve served for at least 90 continuous days (all at once, without a break in service), you meet the minimum active-duty service requirement.
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When did you serve? The minimum active-duty service requirements depend on when you served. See below for a list of requirements.
If you served between August 2, 1990, and the present (Gulf War period to the present):
At least 24 continuous months
The full period (at least 90 days) for which you were called or ordered to active duty
At least 90 days if you were discharged for a hardship, or a reduction in force
Less than 90 days if you were discharged for a service-connected disability
If you served during one of the following periods:
Between September 8, 1980 and August 1, 1990
As an officer between October 17, 1981, and August 1, 1990
Your requirements are:
At least 24 continuous months
The full period (at least 181 days) for which you were called or ordered to active duty
At least 181 days if you were discharged for a hardship, or a reduction in force
Less than 181 days if you were discharged for a service-connected disability
If you served during one of the following periods:
Between May 8, 1975, and September 7, 1980 (post-Vietnam War period)
As an officer between May 8, 1975, and October 16, 1981
Between February 1, 1955, and August 4, 1964 (post-Korean War period)
July 26, 1947, and June 26, 1950 (post-WWII period)
Your requirements are:
181 continuous days
Less than 181 days if you were discharged for a service-connected disability
If you served during one of the following periods:
Between August 5, 1964, and May 7, 1975 (Vietnam War)
Between November 1, 1955, and May 7, 1975, in the Republic of Vietnam
Between June 27, 1950, and January 31, 1955 (Korean War)
Between September 16, 1940, and July 25, 1947 (WWII)
Your requirements are:
90 continuous days
Less than 90 days if you were discharged for a service-connected disability
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When did you serve? The minimum active-duty service requirements depend on when you served. See below for a list of requirements.
Between August 2, 1990, and the present (Gulf War period to present)
If you’ve served for at least 90 days of active duty, you meet the minimum service requirement.
Any other time period if you served:
At least 90 days of non-training active-duty service
At least 90 days of active-duty service including at least 30 consecutive days (your DD214 must show 32 USC sections 316, 502, 503, 504, or 505 activation)
6 creditable years in the National Guard and you were discharged honorably or placed on the retired list
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When did you serve? The minimum active-duty service requirements depend on when you served. See below for a list of requirements.
Between August 2, 1990, and the present (Gulf War period to present):
If you served for at least 90 days of active duty, you meet the minimum service requirement.
Any other time period if you served:
At least 90 days of non-training active-duty service
6 creditable years in the Selected Reserve
And at least one of these must be true:
You were discharged honorably
You were placed on the retired list
You were transferred to the Standby Reserve or an element of the Ready Reserve other than the Selected Reserve after service characterized as honorable
You continue to serve in the Selected Reserve
FROM THE FRONTLINE OF VA LOANS
FAQ
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You’ll first want to ensure relevant documents (your service records, personal identification, etc.) and ensure they are current. You can then request a COE through the Veterans Affairs online portal, by mail, or through a VA-backed lender. If you need assistance, our team is happy to help you file your COE request.
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You may be able to qualify for a COE if you were discharged for one of the following reasons:
Hardship
Convenience of the Government (minimum 20-month service in a two-year enlistment)
Early Out (Minimum 21-month service in a two-year enlistment)
Reduction in Force
Certain medical reasons
A service-connected disability
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You may be able to get a COE if you’re the surviving spouse of a veteran or the spouse of a veteran who is Missing in Action (MIA) or a Prisoner of War (POW).
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If you meet at least one of the following requirements, you may be eligible for a COE.
You are a U.S. citizen who served in the Armed Forces of a government allied with the United States during World War II.
You were a merchant seaman during World War II.
You are/were a cadet in the United States Military, Air Force, or Coast Guard.
You are/were a Midshipman at the United States Naval Academy.
You are/were an officer of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
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You may be able to “restore” an entitlement you used in the past to buy another home with a VA direct or VA-backed loan if you meet at least one of the following requirements.
You’ve sold the home you brought with the prior loan and have paid that loan in full.
A qualified veteran transferee agrees to assume your loan and substitute their entitlement for the same amount you originally used.
You’ve repaid your prior loan in full, but haven’t sold the home you purchased. (You can only use this rule once.)
If you’d like to request an entitlement restoration, fill out a Request for a Certificate of Eligibility (VA Form 26-1880) and send it to the VA regional loan center for your state.
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Since most COE requests are submitted electronically, the VA states that approximately two-thirds of COEs are issued immediately. If additional documentation is required, it's typically a DD Form 214 for regular military and the NGB Form 22 and NGB Form 23 for National Guard and Reserves. However, this isn't always the case. See the required forms for each service type.
More questions about the COE/eligibility process? Don’t sweat it. The VA Loan Nerd is available to help you understand all the ins and outs of the VA’s requirements.
Get Nerdy: Visit our VA Loan Education Hub!
If you’re ready to dive even deeper into the world of VA loans, we have a stacked resource hub full of useful insights and educational materials. Take a look below to get the information you need to make your homebuying journey a breeze.
