Who Is Eligible for a VA Loan?
VA loan eligibility is based on military service. You may qualify if you served 90+ consecutive days of active duty during wartime, 181+ days during peacetime, 6+ years in the National Guard or Reserves, or are a surviving spouse of a veteran who died in service or from a service-connected disability. A Certificate of Eligibility (COE) from the VA confirms your status.
Key Facts
Active Duty Service Requirements
For wartime service, you need 90 consecutive days of active duty. For peacetime, the requirement is 181 days. If you were discharged for a service-connected disability, hardship, or certain other conditions, shorter service periods may qualify. The key is that you must have been discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.
National Guard and Reserve Eligibility
Guard and Reserve members qualify after 6 years of service in the Selected Reserve or National Guard. If you were called to active duty, you may qualify under the active duty requirements instead — whichever is more favorable. Guard and Reserve members who are currently serving also qualify.
How to Get Your Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
Your COE confirms your VA loan eligibility and shows your available entitlement. You can obtain it through your lender (we can pull it electronically in minutes), through the VA's eBenefits portal online, or by mailing VA Form 26-1880. We recommend letting us pull it — it's the fastest option and we can verify your full entitlement at the same time.
Understanding VA Entitlement
VA entitlement is the amount the VA guarantees on your loan. With full entitlement (no active VA loan), there is no loan limit — you can borrow as much as a lender will approve with zero down payment. If you have a current VA loan, your remaining entitlement determines how much you can borrow on a second VA loan without a down payment. Our VA calculator can show you exactly where you stand.
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From the Blog
Further Reading
Loan TypesVA Loans: The Complete Guide for Military Borrowers
VA loans offer some of the best terms available to any borrower — no down payment, no PMI, competitive rates. Here's everything you need to know about eligibility, entitlement, and the process.
VA LoansVA Jumbo Loans in Lake Oswego, Oregon: Why Veterans Buy More Home for Less — and Keep Their Savings
A $1,500,000 home in Lake Oswego requires a conventional buyer to bring $300,000 in down payment plus $105,000 in required reserves — before closing costs. A veteran with VA entitlement can close on the same home with as little as $22,000 out of pocket, at a lower rate. Here's the side-by-side comparison with real numbers.