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VA Loan Eligibility Requirements

Explore the military service and discharge requirements for VA loans to determine if you are eligible for this valuable Veteran benefit.

Updated on October 25, 2023

Securing a VA home loan can be a significant milestone for Veterans and active-duty service members, offering favorable terms and benefits that make homeownership more accessible. However, it's crucial to understand the VA eligibility requirements to qualify for a VA mortgage.

Who is eligible for a VA loan?

The qualification requirements for a VA loan fall into two categories:

  1. Service requirements
  2. Financial requirements

Minimum Service Requirements for VA Loan Eligibility

To be deemed eligible for VA loan benefits, you must meet one of the following service criteria:

VA loan service requirements
VA Service Requirements
90 consecutive days of active service during wartime
181 days of active service during peacetime
6 years of service in the National Guard or Reserves
90 days of service under Title 32 orders, with at least 30 days being consecutive
Spouse of Veteran who died while serving or due to a service-related condition

Military Discharge Requirements

In addition to meeting the VA service requirements, you must also have an acceptable discharge status to be eligible for a VA loan. The following discharge statuses are considered acceptable:

  • Honorable (HON)
  • Under Honorable Conditions (UHC)
  • General (GEN)

Discharge statuses that are Other Than Honorable (OTH) or Bad Conduct (BCD) are not eligible for VA loan benefits. Veterans with these ineligible discharges may apply for a discharge upgrade to potentially become eligible for VA loans.

What if I don’t meet the VA service requirements?

In some unique cases, individuals who do not meet the basic VA service or discharge requirements may still be eligible for a VA loan. You may still qualify if the reason for your military discharge was related to:

  • Hardship
  • The convenience of the government
  • A reduction in force
  • A medical condition or service-related disability
  • An early-out, by you served at least 21 months of a 2-year enlistment

If you fall into one of these categories, reach out to a VA home loan specialist to confirm your eligibility status and explore your options.

Verifying Your VA Loan Eligibility

To verify eligibility for VA benefits, prospective borrowers must provide a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) when applying for a VA loan. VA lenders use your COE to confirm that you meet the VA service requirements and other eligibility criteria.

Our Lender
Veterans United Home Loans is a VA approved lender; Mortgage Research Center, LLC – NMLS #1907 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org). Not affiliated with the Dept. of Veterans Affairs or any government agency. Not available in NV. 1400 Forum Blvd., Columbia, MO 65203. Equal Housing Lender

Next Steps

Once you've confirmed your eligibility for a VA loan and have obtained your COE, the next set of criteria you must meet are your lender's financial requirements for a VA loan. These financial criteria typically include aspects such as your credit score, debt-to-income ratio (DTI), income, employment history and more. Be prepared to work closely with your chosen lender to meet these criteria and qualify for your VA home loan.

START HERE: $0 Down VA Home Loans
Our Lender
Veterans United Home Loans is a VA approved lender; Mortgage Research Center, LLC – NMLS #1907 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org). Not affiliated with the Dept. of Veterans Affairs or any government agency. Not available in NV. 1400 Forum Blvd., Columbia, MO 65203. Equal Housing Lender