VA Home Loan Guarantee
No-down-payment home loans; funding fee waived for veterans receiving service-connected disability compensation.
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Apply directly through the VA — official source, no middleman.
About this benefit
Overview
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.
National Guard / Reserve
90 days of non-training active-duty service, OR 6 creditable years in the Selected Reserve with honorable discharge or continued service.
Must have satisfactory credit and sufficient income. Must obtain a Certificate of Eligibility (COE).
Key benefits
No down payment required, no private mortgage insurance (PMI), competitive interest rates, limited closing costs.
Funding fee waiver
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.
Loan types
Purchase, refinance (IRRRL), and cash-out refinance.
How to apply
Work with a VA-approved lender. Obtain your COE online through eBenefits or have your lender request it.
Verified against official source
Last checked 2026-04-30 against www.va.gov. Always confirm current rates and rules with the VA before applying — eligibility rules and dollar amounts change with each fiscal year.
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