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VA Loan Program Requirements

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The VA Loan Program offers government guaranteed mortgages to people who are currently serving or have served in the United States military. If qualified, participants of VA loans receive favorable terms such as no down payment and lower interest rates than most conventional mortgages.

Eligibility

The VA Loan Program is available to all veterans who were honorably discharged after completing their military service, as well as active military members who have served for at least 90 days during war or 181 days during peacetime. Military members who received an honorable discharge prior to the end of their term are also eligible provided they completed the 90 day or 181 day requirement. An example of an early discharge would be a military member who is injured while serving his country.

Required Paperwork

You will need to provide the lender with verification of your military status with a Certificate of Eligibility for Home Loan Benefits. Many lenders have access to the VA online ACE database and can receive your certificate of eligibility immediately. When this is not possible, you will need to complete VA Form 26-1880 and include a current statement of service or a DD Form 214 to show evidence of your current or past military service.