USDA GUS TRAINING

GUS Basic Navigation and User Roles
Training Objectives:

• Understanding GUS Lender user roles.

• Understanding the basic navigation within GUS.

• Understanding how to search for loans.

• Understanding application functionality within GUS.
GUS Lender and Branch User Roles
GUS Lender and Branch User Roles Chart

Lender Branch

User Roles For all branches within an organization For specific branch(es) within an organization

Viewer • Views applications associated with Lender Tax ID (for all branches)

• Monitors loan applications in GUS

Same as the Lender but limited to the user’s lender Branch

only

Representative • Imports applications

• Manually enters loan application information

• Performs preliminary submission

• Typically, an originator or processor for their lender’s organization

Same as the Lender but limited to the user’s lender Branch

only

Representative with Final Submit 

Authority

• Imports applications

• Manually enters loan application information

• Performs preliminary and final submissions

• Confirms that loan information is accurate and consistent with documentation in 

the lender’s mortgage loan file

• Certifies the loan has been underwritten

• Usually an underwriter or senior processor

Same as the Lender but limited to the user’s lender Branch

only

Lender’s Security Administrator • Imports applications

• Manually enters loan application information

• Performs preliminary and final submissions

Same as the Lender but limited to the user’s lender Branch 

only

Lender Agent/Broker • Manually enters loan application information on behalf of lender / branch 

organizations (through the Lender Agent affiliation)

• Imports applications on behalf of lender / branch organizations (through the 

Lender Agent affiliation)

• Performs preliminary submissions

• Must release control of the application back to a Lender user for final submission

• Manually enters loan application information on behalf 

of lender / branch organizations (through the Lender 

Agent affiliation)

• Imports applications on behalf of lender / branch 

organizations (through the Lender Agent affiliation)

• Performs preliminary submissions

• Must release control of the application back to a 

Lender user for final submission
Overview of GUS Navigation and Functionality
GUS – Home Page

Home Page

1. Main tabs on the 

Navigation Bar

2. Browser 

Recommendation

3. Welcome Message

4. Application Buttons
GUS – Search for a Loan

When searching for an existing 

loan, select the “Applications” 

tab or “Existing Application” 

button.
GUS – Search for a Loan (continued)

SEARCH FUNCTIONALITY

1 Search Functionality:

There are 4 ways to search 

for an application in GUS:

• Date/Name Search

• Borrower Social 

Security Number

• Lender Loan 

Number

• GUS Application ID 

Number

2 Select the radio button 

for the preferred search 

criteria, enter the criteria and 

select “Find Loan”.

When search results return, 

select the link next to the 3

Primary Borrower’s name 

OR

Select the 4 Underwriting 

Recommendation link (if 

applicable) to enter the loan.
GUS - Basic Navigation
GUS – Persistent Footer Functionality

Each screen within GUS 

contains the following 

information in the 

persistent footer of the 

page:

1 Previous

2 Next

3 Save

4 Close

5 Cancel

6 ? (Help)

7 Legend
GUS – Help (?) Icon
GUS – Page Level Navigation

Pictured are the most 

common page level 

navigation buttons and 

icons:

1 Required Field 

(denoted by red asterisk)

2 Help Text 

3 Pull Down Menu

4 Link to website

5 Expand/Collapse All
GUS – Prominent Action Buttons

PAGE FEATURES:

1 Validate Application : When selected, the system will 

check the application to verify if all required fields (for 

preliminary and/or final validations) have been entered 

correctly. Results are displayed in a new web browser tab. 

This feature is available at all times within the application. 

NOTE: See next page for more information.

2 Withdraw Application: The user may choose to 

indicate they no longer wish to move forward with the 

application by selecting Withdraw Application. This 

option is available only while the application’s 

submission status is Unknown or Preliminary.

3 Check Property Eligibility: Select after entering 

property address on the Eligibility tab. Three results could 

come back: Eligible, Ineligible or Unable to Determine.

4 Display Property Map: The Display Property Map button 

opens a new Internet browser map that shows the location 

of the entered property address. If it is Unable to Determine, 

select Display Property Map and locate the property on the 

map. Common errors include: new construction (property 

address has not been mapped yet) and spelling errors.

5 Check Income Eligibility: Select after entering all 

required household income on the Eligibility tab to 

determine if Total Household Income meets USDA 

guidelines.
GUS – Validate Application Button Functionality

VALIDATE APPLICATION: RESULTS SCREEN

When selected, the system checks the application to verify if all required fields (for preliminary and final validations) have been entered correctly. Field validation errors are displayed 

in a new web browser tab. 

The Results screen contains the following information:

1 Borrower Name: Displays the name of the borrower for which the validation error is related.

2 PRELIM: If “Y” is displayed, indicates the error must be corrected before preliminary submission is requested.

3 FNL: If “Y” is displayed, indicates the error must be corrected before final submission is requested.

4 Description of Error: Displays field information that must be completed or updated before preliminary or final submission.
GUS – Field Level Validation

Errors upon Saving:

Message appear at 

the top of the page 

if there are any 

application errors 

that need to be 

resolved prior to 

saving the page.

Field Validation:

When a user moves 

in and out of a 

mandatory field 

(indicated by an *) 

without entering 

information, field 

level validation is 

triggered.
GUS – Contact Us tab
End Slide 

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.