{"id":303,"date":"2021-04-09T14:58:37","date_gmt":"2021-04-09T14:58:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.veteransloans.com\/?p=303"},"modified":"2025-12-19T15:45:13","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T21:45:13","slug":"va-home-loan-eligibility","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.veteransloans.com\/resources\/va-home-loan-eligibility\/","title":{"rendered":"Am I Eligible for a VA Home Loan?"},"content":{"rendered":"[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”BODY” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_margin=”0px|auto||auto|false|false” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”18px” link_font=”||||on||||” custom_margin=”0px|100px||100px|false|false” custom_padding=”0px|||||” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]\n

The VA home loan is a unique home loan option with several attractive benefits<\/a>, but not everyone is able to apply. You must meet the basic service requirements set by the Department of Veterans Affairs to qualify. Then, once you obtain your Certificate of Eligibility (more on that later), you’ll have to satisfy both our minimum credit score and debt-to-income ratio requirements. This may all sound complicated at first, but we’re here to show you that it doesn’t have to be. Let’s dive a little deeper.<\/span><\/p>\n

Eligible Branches of Service:<\/h2>\n

The first step in determining your eligibility is to make sure your service falls under one of the eligible branches. Service time in the active duty branches, National Guard, and reserve components are all eligible. Cadets in the Military Academy, Air Force Academy, Coast Guard Academy, and midshipmen in the Naval Academy are eligible too. Lastly, officers serving in the NOAA or Public Health Services are also eligible.<\/span><\/p>\n

Service Requirements:<\/h2>\n

The required length of your service depends on when you served. For example, 90 consecutive days of active service during a period of wartime is typically enough to qualify, especially if you served after August 2, 1990. If your service was during peacetime, the service requirement is longer. Do you know you know your service date(s)? You can check the VA’s article on eligibility<\/a> to see how long your service needs to be to qualify.<\/span><\/p>\n

Certificate of Eligibility:<\/h2>\n

<\/b>To prove you fulfill the basic service requirements set by the VA, you’ll need to obtain your Certificate of Eligibility (COE). Depending on your status and branch, you’ll need different documents ready when you apply for your COE. You can apply for your COE by clicking this link<\/a> to the VA COE portal.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Documents required to obtain a COE:<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n