VA Home Loan Guarantee

Eligibility varies by service era. Gulf War era (August 2, 1990 – present, which covers most current applicants): 24 continuous months of active duty (or the full period called/ordered to active duty, but at least 90 days). Earlier eras (WWII, Korea, Vietnam, post-WWII, post-Korea): 90 continuous days during wartime or 181 days during peacetime.

90 days of non-training active-duty service, OR 6 creditable years in the Selected Reserve with honorable discharge or continued service.

also eligible if receiving DIC, OR unremarried spouse of a veteran who died from a service-connected condition or while on active duty, OR spouse of a veteran missing in action / POW.

Must have satisfactory credit and sufficient income. Must obtain a Certificate of Eligibility (COE).

No down payment required, no private mortgage insurance (PMI), competitive interest rates, limited closing costs.

Veterans receiving (or eligible to receive) VA compensation for a service-connected disability are exempt. Important: a 0% non-compensable rating does NOT qualify — the veteran must actually be receiving compensation. Also exempt: surviving spouses receiving DIC, service members with a pre-closing proposed/memorandum rating, and Purple Heart recipients on active duty.

Purchase, refinance (IRRRL), and cash-out refinance.

Work with a VA-approved lender. Request your COE online at VA.gov, by mail with VA Form 26-1880, or have your lender request it.