Do You Qualify for a VA Home Loan?
Your military service has earned you access to one of the most powerful mortgage benefits available — VA home loans with zero down payment and no PMI. Find out if you qualify and how to access your earned benefits in Minnesota and 7 other states.
Quick Eligibility Check
Answer these questions to see if you likely qualify for a VA home loan:
✓ If you answered YES to all three questions, you likely qualify!
Call us at (651) 552-3681 to verify your eligibility and get your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) in minutes.
Who Qualifies for VA Mortgage Benefits?
VA home loans are available to multiple groups of service members and veterans. Find your category below.
Veterans
If you served on active duty and were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable, you likely qualify for VA mortgage benefits.
Service Requirements:
- • 90 days wartime service
- • 181 days peacetime service
- • Full enlistment period if called to active duty from Reserves
Active Duty Service Members
Currently serving members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, or Space Force can use VA home loan benefits.
Service Requirements:
- • 90 continuous days of active service
- • Must obtain Statement of Service from your commander
National Guard & Reserve Members
Members and veterans of the National Guard or Reserves who have completed qualifying service are eligible for VA mortgage benefits.
Service Requirements:
- • 6 years of service (drilling and annual training count)
- • OR 90 days of active duty under Title 10 orders
Surviving Spouses
Certain surviving spouses of veterans may be eligible to use VA home loan benefits themselves.
Eligibility Requirements:
- • Un-remarried spouse of veteran who died in service
- • Spouse of veteran who died from service-connected disability
- • Spouse of servicemember missing in action or POW
Detailed VA Mortgage Service Requirements
Exact requirements vary by when and how long you served. Here's a complete breakdown.
World War II (September 16, 1940 – July 25, 1947)
90 days of active service, with at least one day during the wartime period. If you were discharged earlier due to a service-connected disability, you may still qualify.
Korean War (June 27, 1950 – January 31, 1955)
90 days of active service, with at least one day during the wartime period. Earlier discharge for service-connected disability may still qualify.
Vietnam Era (August 5, 1964 – May 7, 1975)
90 days of service, with at least one day in the Republic of Vietnam between February 28, 1961 and May 7, 1975. Earlier discharge for hardship or service-connected disability may qualify.
181 days of continuous active duty service, with at least one day during the Vietnam Era.
Gulf War (August 2, 1990 – Present)
24 months of continuous active duty or the full period (at least 90 days) for which you were called to active duty. If you were discharged earlier for service-connected disability, hardship, or reduction in force, you may still be eligible.
Completed 6 years of service in the Selected Reserve or National Guard and were honorably discharged. OR completed 90 days of active duty, including 30 consecutive days, with some exceptions.
Peacetime Service
Between wars: If you served during a gap period between wartime eras (e.g., July 26, 1947 – June 26, 1950 or February 1, 1955 – August 4, 1964), you need at least 181 days of continuous active duty.
After September 7, 1980: You must have completed 24 months of continuous active duty or the full period (at least 90 days) for which you were ordered to active duty.
Not sure if your service qualifies? We can help verify your eligibility in minutes.
Call (651) 552-3681 to Verify EligibilityVA Mortgage Discharge Requirements
To qualify for a VA home loan, you must have been discharged under conditions other than dishonorable. Here's what that means:
Qualifying Discharge Types:
- Honorable Discharge: Fully qualifies for all VA mortgage benefits
- General Discharge (Under Honorable Conditions): Typically qualifies, though VA reviews on case-by-case basis
- Medical Discharge: Usually qualifies if not dishonorable
- Hardship Discharge: May qualify depending on circumstances
- Early Separation: May qualify if you completed required service or were discharged for service-connected disability
Discharges That Typically Do NOT Qualify:
- Dishonorable discharge
- Bad Conduct Discharge (in most cases)
- Dismissal (officer equivalent of dishonorable discharge)
Character of Service Determination:
If you're unsure whether your discharge qualifies, the VA will make a "character of service" determination when you apply for your Certificate of Eligibility. Factors considered include:
- Length of service
- Performance record
- Reason for discharge
- Any disciplinary actions
- Overall service record
Upgrading Your Discharge
If you received a less-than-honorable discharge but believe it was unjust, you may be able to petition for a discharge upgrade through the appropriate military review board. This can potentially restore your VA loan eligibility.
National Guard & Reserve VA Mortgage Eligibility
Weekend warriors and drilling Reservists have earned VA home loan benefits too. Here's how you qualify.
Two Paths to VA Loan Eligibility for Guard/Reserve:
Path 1: Six Years of Service
Complete 6 years of service in the Selected Reserve or National Guard and receive an honorable discharge.
- ✓ Weekend drills count toward your 6 years
- ✓ Annual training (AT) counts toward your 6 years
- ✓ Must be honorably discharged or still serving honorably
- ✓ Officer service counts the same as enlisted
Path 2: Active Duty Under Title 10
Complete 90 days of active duty (including at least 30 consecutive days) under Title 10 orders, with some exceptions for shorter active duty periods.
- ✓ Deployment to Iraq, Afghanistan, or other combat zones
- ✓ Active duty for training (if it meets Title 10 requirements)
- ✓ Federal activation for disaster relief or emergencies
- ✗ State active duty (Title 32) does NOT count
Important for Guard/Reserve Members:
Your VA mortgage funding fee is 0.25% higher than regular active duty service members (unless you're exempt due to disability). This is still significantly cheaper than PMI on conventional loans.
Surviving Spouse VA Mortgage Eligibility
Certain surviving spouses of veterans can use VA home loan benefits to purchase or refinance a home.
Who Qualifies as a Surviving Spouse?
Surviving Spouse of Veteran Who Died in Service
If your spouse died while on active duty, in the line of duty, or as a result of a service-related injury or disease, you may be eligible for VA mortgage benefits.
Surviving Spouse of Veteran Who Died from Service-Connected Disability
If your veteran spouse died from a service-connected disability (even if it occurred years after separation from service), you may qualify.
Spouse of Servicemember Missing in Action (MIA) or Prisoner of War (POW)
Spouses of servicemembers listed as MIA or held as POWs may be eligible for VA loan benefits.
Surviving Spouse Receiving VA DIC Payments
If you're receiving Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) from the VA, you likely qualify for VA home loan benefits.
⚠️ Remarriage Affects Eligibility
If you remarry, you generally lose VA loan eligibility. However, if you remarry on or after reaching age 57 and on or after December 16, 2003, you may retain eligibility. Special rules apply — contact us to review your specific situation.
Surviving Spouse Benefits
As a surviving spouse using VA home loan benefits, you receive:
- ✓ Zero down payment option
- ✓ No PMI requirement
- ✓ Competitive VA interest rates
- ✓ Exemption from VA funding fee
- ✓ Same protections as veteran borrowers
Beyond Eligibility: Other VA Mortgage Requirements
Meeting service requirements makes you eligible, but you'll also need to meet basic lending standards.
Financial Requirements for VA Home Loans:
Credit Score
The VA doesn't set a minimum credit score, but most lenders require at least 580-620. Lower scores may qualify through manual underwriting.
Stable Income
You need reliable income to cover your mortgage payment. This can include employment income, retirement pay, VA disability, Social Security, and other verified sources.
Debt-to-Income Ratio
VA guidelines suggest keeping your debt-to-income ratio at or below 41%, though higher ratios may be acceptable with strong compensating factors.
Residual Income
The VA requires you to have sufficient residual income (money left over after major expenses) to cover family living expenses. This amount varies by family size and region.
Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
You must obtain a COE from the VA showing you're eligible for the VA home loan program. We can help you get this in minutes.
Primary Residence Requirement
The property must be your primary residence. You must intend to occupy the home. Investment properties and vacation homes don't qualify for VA financing.
We'll help you understand exactly what you need to qualify for a VA mortgage.
Start Your VA Loan ApplicationVA Mortgage Eligibility Across Multiple States
Your VA home loan benefits work in all 50 states — Joe Metzler is licensed in 8 of them.
Where We Serve Veterans
Whether you're stationed at Fort Liberty, buying in the Twin Cities, retiring to Florida, or relocating to Colorado — your VA mortgage benefits travel with you nationwide.
Contact Us in Your StateReady to Verify Your VA Mortgage Eligibility?
Let's confirm your eligibility, get your Certificate of Eligibility, and start your VA home loan journey today.
Or call Joe directly: (651) 552-3681
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