VA Loan Eligibility Requirements

Most members of the military, veterans, reservists and National Guard members are eligible to apply for a VA loan. Spouses of military members who died while on active duty or as a result of a service-connected disability may also apply.

You may be eligible for a VA Home Loan if one or more of these
scenarios apply*

• You have served 181 days of active service during peacetime, or 90 consecutive days of active service during wartime
• You have more than 6 years of service in the National Guard or Reserves, less if discharged for a service-connected disability
• You are the un-remarried spouse of a service member who has died in the line of duty or as a result of a service-related disability or is missing in action or a prisoner of war.
• There are other circumstances in which you may be eligible, contact us with questions!

If you do not meet these conditions you might still be eligible: Talk with a VA Home Loan Specialist today

*Cases involving other than honorable discharges will usually require further development by VA.

Additional Eligibility Requirements

The Department of Veterans Affairs determines the minimum guidelines that eligible borrowers must meet; lenders may also have additional conditions that must be satisfied.

These conditions include debt, income and credit requirements. Your VA Loan Specialist at VA the Fairway will need to pull your credit report from all three credit reporting agencies and will review and verify documentation to validate your income and assets. A Certificate of Eligibility (COE) will also need to be obtained.

How to Apply for a VA Home Loan Certificate of Eligibility (COE)

Applicants that meet the basic requirements for a VA loan also need to acquire a VA Certificate of Eligibility (COE). A COE is used to verify your eligibility for home loan benefits. A COE it is not, however, needed to begin the application process. This is something that we can help you obtain. The COE validates that your length and character of service, as well as any previous use of entitlement to show your eligibility to use the VA Home Loan benefits.

Your Fairway Loan Team will be happy to help obtain your COE on your behalf. Speak with a VA Loan Specialist to get your COE today. You can also request your COE by:

1. Apply by mail with VA Form 26-1880
2. Apply online through VA’s eBenefits portal 

Income Requirements

There are no minimum requirements for income, but dependable and reliable income that is sufficient to cover monthly expenses including their new mortgage payment.

The VA also requires that borrowers maintain a certain amount of unused residual income left over after all major monthly expenses are paid (ie.e mortgage, credit cards, vehicle and student loans). This is to ensure that there are sufficient funds available to cover typical everyday needs and allow for a cushion in the event of an unforeseen event or emergency.

Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH). Lenders are able to treat your Basic Allowance for Housing as income that can help you to pay some or all of your monthly mortgage payment.

BAH varies for each qualified active military member and is based on geographic duty location, pay grade, and dependency status.

Learn more about Basic Allowance for Housing

How to Apply for a VA Loan

If you are an eligible veteran or military member, you owe it to yourself to use this valuable home loan program to buy or refinance your home. We would love the opportunity to serve you the way that you served our country. Call us today to setup an appointment so we can answer any questions that you may have. Then you will need to Contact a VA approved lender like VA the Fairway to begin your VA Home Loan Application. You will need to provide personal information needed to obtain a credit report and COE (or provide your own) and submit requested documentation.

Do you have questions about whether you qualify?

Our VA Home Loan Specialists are available to answer any questions that you might have about the VA Home Loan Program. Please give us a call at (888) 301-3465 or you can get started online.