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.