Ways to become eligible
- 6 years in the Selected Reserve or National Guard , and still serving, honorably discharged or placed on the retired list.
- 90 days of active service of non-training active duty under Title 10, or 90 days of full-time Title 32 orders with at least 30 consecutive days.
- Discharged for a service-connected disability.
Getting your Certificate of Eligibility
We can usually pull your COE online in minutes. If VA needs more records, you'll typically provide your points statement (for 6-year eligibility) or DD-214s / orders for active service.
Qualifying on civilian and drill pay
Lenders count your civilian job and drill pay. If you're currently activated, we'll look at how long the orders run and what income continues afterward.
Common questions
Do I need to deploy to qualify for a VA loan?
No. Six years of Selected Reserve service, or 90 days of non-training Title 10 active duty (or 90 days of full-time Title 32 service with 30 in a row), can make you eligible.
Does Title 32 service count?
Qualifying full-time Title 32 orders can count toward the 90-day requirement, including at least 30 consecutive days.
Is the funding fee different for Guard and Reserve?
No. Since 2020, Guard and Reserve members pay the same funding fee as active-duty service members.
See your real numbers
Our free calculator uses 2026 pay tables, BAH by ZIP and VA residual income standards. About 2 minutes, no credit pull.
Educational information only, not a commitment to lend or a loan approval. VA guidelines and lender requirements change; your eligibility and terms depend on your full application, credit, income and VA entitlement.