VA Loan Eligibility: Who Qualifies?

VA loan eligibility is based on your length and type of service, not your credit score or income — those come into play later, during underwriting. Generally, you're eligible if you meet one of a few service paths.

Generally eligible if you're...

• A veteran who meets the minimum active-duty service requirement for your era of service
• Currently serving active duty, having served the minimum continuous period
• A current or former member of the Reserves or National Guard who meets the service requirement (typically six years, or called to active duty for a qualifying period)
• An eligible surviving spouse of a service member who died in the line of duty or from a service-connected disability

How you confirm it

• Your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) is the official document that confirms your eligibility and shows your entitlement amount
• Most lenders, including us, can pull your COE directly through the VA's automated system in minutes — you usually don't need to request it yourself
• Service requirements vary somewhat by era of service (wartime vs. peacetime), so exact minimums depend on when you served