VA Loan Eligibility
VA Loan Eligibility
VA home loan eligibility is generally based on your military service, duty status, character of service, and other applicable VA requirements.
VA Eligibility and Mortgage Approval Are Different
A Certificate of Eligibility confirms that VA has determined you meet the applicable eligibility requirements for the VA home loan benefit.
A COE does not automatically approve a mortgage. The lender must still review applicable credit, income, debt, occupancy, property, and underwriting requirements.
Current Active-Duty Service Members
90 Continuous Days of Active Duty
If you are currently serving on active duty, VA generally considers the minimum active-duty service requirement satisfied after at least 90 continuous days of service.
Veteran Service Requirements
Service requirements depend on when you served. This is why VA eligibility cannot accurately be reduced to a single 90-day or 181-day rule for every Veteran.
August 2, 1990 to Present
Veterans who served during the Gulf War period through the present may generally satisfy the minimum service requirement through one of the following:
- At least 24 continuous months of active-duty service
- The full period for which you were called or ordered to active duty, when that period was at least 90 days
- At least 90 days of service when separated under a qualifying VA exception
- A shorter period when discharged because of a service-connected disability
Earlier Military Service Periods
Veterans who served before August 2, 1990 may have different minimum service requirements. The sections below provide a simplified reference.
September 8, 1980 through August 1, 1990
Eligibility may generally be established through at least 24 continuous months of service or the full period for which the Veteran was called to active duty, with that period generally being at least 181 days.
Different rules can apply to certain officers and Veterans who were discharged under qualifying exceptions.
May 8, 1975 through September 7, 1980
The general minimum service requirement is 181 continuous days of active-duty service.
A shorter period may qualify when separation occurred because of a qualifying service-connected disability or another applicable exception.
Vietnam War Period
For service from August 5, 1964 through May 7, 1975, the general minimum is at least 90 total days of qualifying service.
Different dates apply to Veterans who served in the Republic of Vietnam.
February 1, 1955 through August 4, 1964
The general minimum is at least 181 total days of active-duty service.
Korean War Period
For service from June 27, 1950 through January 31, 1955, the general minimum is at least 90 total days of qualifying active-duty service.
Post-World War II Period
For service from July 26, 1947 through June 26, 1950, the general minimum is 181 continuous days of active-duty service.
World War II Period
For service from September 16, 1940 through July 25, 1947, the general minimum is at least 90 total days of qualifying active-duty service.
National Guard Eligibility
National Guard members may qualify through certain types of active service or through applicable creditable Guard service.
- At least 90 days of qualifying non-training Title 10 active-duty service
- Certain qualifying Title 32 service totaling at least 90 days and including at least 30 consecutive days
- Six creditable years in the National Guard while continuing to serve
- Six creditable years followed by an honorable discharge, retirement, or another qualifying status
Reserve Eligibility
Reserve members may also establish eligibility in several ways, depending on their service history.
- At least 90 days of qualifying non-training active-duty service
- Six creditable years in the Selected Reserve while continuing to serve
- Six creditable years followed by an honorable discharge, retirement, or another qualifying status
What If You Did Not Complete the Normal Minimum Service?
You May Still Be Eligible
VA recognizes certain circumstances in which a Veteran may qualify even without completing the normal minimum period of service.
- Service-connected disability
- Hardship
- Convenience of the government when applicable requirements are met
- Certain early-out provisions
- Involuntary reduction in force
- Certain qualifying medical conditions
Character of Discharge
Your character of discharge can affect eligibility for VA benefits.
If you received a discharge other than honorable, a bad-conduct discharge, or another discharge status that may affect eligibility, do not assume automatically that you cannot qualify.
VA may review the circumstances of your service and separation to determine whether your service can qualify for VA benefits. Depending on the circumstances, a discharge upgrade or VA Character of Discharge review may also be available.
Surviving Spouse Eligibility
Qualifying Surviving Spouses
Certain surviving spouses of Veterans or service members may qualify for VA home loan benefits.
This can include qualifying surviving spouses of a service member who died in service or a Veteran whose death was related to a service-connected disability.
MIA or POW
The spouse of an active-duty service member who is missing in action or being held as a prisoner of war may also qualify for a VA home loan Certificate of Eligibility under applicable VA rules.
Surviving-Spouse Rules Can Be Situation Specific
Eligibility may depend on factors including the Veteran's circumstances, Dependency and Indemnity Compensation eligibility, and in some cases remarriage history.
We can help identify the applicable VA eligibility process based on the surviving spouse's individual circumstances.
Other Individuals Who May Qualify
VA home loan eligibility is not limited only to Veterans, active-duty members, Guard members, Reservists, and surviving spouses.
Certain other individuals may qualify based on specific types of qualifying service, including some:
- Public Health Service officers
- Cadets and midshipmen at qualifying U.S. military service academies
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration officers
- Merchant Mariners with qualifying World War II service
- Individuals with certain other service recognized by VA
Your Certificate of Eligibility
Your Certificate of Eligibility, commonly called a COE, confirms that VA has determined you meet the applicable service requirements for the VA home loan benefit and provides information about your available entitlement.
We Can Help Obtain Your COE
With your authorization, VA Help Center can help request your Certificate of Eligibility through the applicable VA lender system.
If VA requires additional documentation before issuing the COE, we can identify what is needed and help guide you through the next steps.
What Documents Might Be Needed?
The documents needed depend on the type and history of your military service. In many cases, electronic VA records may already contain much of the information needed.
Veterans
A DD214 or other separation or discharge documentation may be needed to verify qualifying service.
Active-Duty Members
A current statement of service may be needed showing applicable military service information.
National Guard Members
Depending on your service history, records may include a DD214, NGB Form 22, retirement points records, activation documentation, or a current statement of service.
Reserve Members
Documentation can include a DD214, retirement points records, evidence of qualifying service, or a current statement of service.
Common VA Eligibility Questions
Do I need to figure out my eligibility before contacting you?
No. With your authorization, VA Help Center can help check your eligibility, request your Certificate of Eligibility, and identify any additional documentation that may be required.
Is 90 days of military service always enough?
No. Minimum service requirements depend on your service dates, type of service, duty status, and circumstances of separation.
Do National Guard and Reserve members qualify?
Many do. Eligibility may be established through qualifying active service or through applicable creditable Guard or Reserve service.
Can I qualify if I was discharged before completing the normal service requirement?
Possibly. VA recognizes several exceptions, including certain service-connected disability, hardship, medical, early-out, and reduction-in-force circumstances.
Can a surviving spouse qualify?
Certain surviving spouses can qualify. The applicable rules depend on the Veteran's or service member's circumstances and other VA eligibility requirements.
Does receiving my COE mean my mortgage is approved?
No. A COE confirms VA benefit eligibility. Mortgage approval still requires lender underwriting and satisfaction of applicable credit, income, debt, property, occupancy, and other loan requirements.
What if I cannot locate my military records?
Do not assume that you cannot proceed. We can first review what information is available through the applicable VA eligibility process and then let you know whether additional service documentation is needed.
Let Us Help Check Your VA Eligibility
You do not have to navigate VA eligibility requirements by yourself. With your authorization, VA Help Center can help request your eligibility verification, obtain your Certificate of Eligibility when available, and identify any additional documentation needed.
CHECK YOUR VA ELIGIBILITY Call 801-871-3739VA Help Center, LLC is a private mortgage company and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or any other government agency.
VA home loan eligibility and entitlement are determined by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under applicable VA requirements. VA Help Center can assist with requesting eligibility verification and a Certificate of Eligibility with the borrower's authorization, but VA makes the final eligibility determination.
A Certificate of Eligibility does not constitute mortgage approval or a commitment to lend. Loan approval and terms remain subject to applicable VA requirements, lender underwriting guidelines, borrower qualification, property eligibility, and applicable law.