VA Loan Eligibility Checker
Find out if you likely qualify for a VA home loan — active duty, veterans, and retirees.
How VA loan eligibility works
The VA home loan benefit is available to active-duty service members, veterans, National Guard members, reservists, and surviving spouses who meet minimum service requirements established under 38 U.S.C. § 3702. The exact thresholds depend on when and how you served — most active-duty members qualify after 90 continuous days.
This checker asks about your branch, service type (active duty, National Guard, or reserves), and length of service to determine whether you likely meet the basic service requirements. It also surfaces common exemptions, such as discharge for a service-connected disability before reaching the length-of-service threshold. A discharge under conditions other than dishonorable is required in all cases.
Meeting the service requirement does not automatically mean you have entitlement available. Entitlement is a separate calculation that accounts for any prior VA loan usage — use the Entitlement Calculator to see how much zero-down purchasing power you have. To obtain your Certificate of Eligibility (COE), apply through your lender, online at va.gov, or by mail using VA Form 26-1880.
The result here is an estimate based on the inputs you provide. Your lender and the VA will make the official determination when you apply.
Source: VA Lender's Handbook M26-7, Ch. 2 — Veterans' Eligibility and Entitlement