VA Loan Eligibility Calculator
Estimate your VA loan entitlement and max no-down-payment loan amount for 2026. Enter service period and prior VA loan usage.
How VA Loan Entitlement Works in 2026
VA loan entitlement is the amount the Department of Veterans Affairs guarantees to a lender on your behalf. For 2026, basic entitlement is $36,000, and bonus (secondary) entitlement covers 25% of the difference between $144,000 and your county's conforming loan limit. With the 2026 baseline conforming limit at $806,500, total entitlement is $201,625 in standard counties.
Because VA guarantees 25% of the loan, lenders extend up to 4× your remaining entitlement with no down payment. If you've used VA before (and not paid the loan off), your remaining entitlement may be lower — but VA's Bonus Entitlement rule still allows you to use a new VA loan with full guarantee on the portion within your remaining cap. Source: VA.gov Lenders Handbook M26-7. Last updated: May 2026.
2026 VA Funding Fee Schedule
| Use | Down Payment | Funding Fee |
|---|---|---|
| First use, regular military | 0% down | 2.15% |
| First use, National Guard/Reserves | 0% down | 2.40% |
| Subsequent use, any service | 0% down | 3.30% |
| Any use | 5%-9% down | 1.50% |
| Any use | 10%+ down | 1.25% |
| 10%+ VA disability rating | Any | 0% (exempt) |
The funding fee can be rolled into the loan amount, so most veterans pay nothing out of pocket at closing.
VA Loan vs FHA vs Conventional
VA is unmatched for eligible service members because it requires zero down payment, no monthly mortgage insurance, and offers below-market rates (typically 0.25-0.50% lower than conventional). The trade-off is the funding fee, which adds 2.15-3.30% upfront. FHA requires 3.5% down plus lifetime MIP (~0.55% annually). Conventional with under 20% down requires PMI (typically 0.5-1.5% annually, but removable at 78% LTV).
For a $400,000 home with 0% down, a VA borrower pays $400,000 × 2.15% = $8,600 funding fee once. An FHA borrower pays $400,000 × 1.75% = $7,000 upfront PLUS $400,000 × 0.55% × 30 years = ~$66,000 in lifetime MIP. VA wins decisively if you qualify.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who qualifies for a VA loan?
VA-eligible borrowers include (1) active-duty service members with 90+ days wartime or 24+ months peacetime, (2) honorably discharged veterans, (3) National Guard/Reserve members with 6+ years of service or 90 days of active wartime duty, and (4) surviving spouses of service members who died in the line of duty or from service-connected disabilities. Request a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) at va.gov.
What is the 2026 VA loan limit?
Since 2020, VA loans technically have no loan limit for veterans with full entitlement. However, the 2026 baseline conforming limit of $806,500 (and high-cost ceiling of $1,209,750) determines the maximum loan you can get with $0 down. Above that, you can still borrow with VA but must put 25% down on the overage.
Does the VA funding fee apply to everyone?
No. Veterans with a service-connected disability rating of 10% or higher are exempt from the VA funding fee. Surviving spouses receiving Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) are also exempt. All others pay 1.25% to 3.30% depending on down payment and prior VA use.
Can I use VA loan more than once?
Yes. VA loan benefits can be reused throughout your lifetime, as long as you have remaining entitlement or restore entitlement by paying off the prior VA loan. Subsequent-use funding fee is 3.30% (vs 2.15% first use), making it costlier each time.
What credit score do I need for VA loan?
VA itself sets no minimum credit score, but most VA lenders require 580-620 FICO at minimum, with 640+ for the best rates. VA underwriting heavily weighs residual income (cash left after housing and debt payments) \u2014 VA loans are unique in this regard and can approve borrowers with thinner credit profiles than conventional.
How long does VA loan approval take in 2026?
Pre-approval typically takes 7-14 days once COE is obtained (instant online for most veterans). Full loan approval from application to close averages 35-45 days for VA \u2014 similar to FHA, slightly longer than conventional due to VA appraisal requirements and Tidewater process.