Eligibility requirements for VA home loan programs 
Learn about VA home loan eligibility requirements for a VA direct or VA - backed loan. Find out how to apply for a Certificate of Eligibility COE to show your lender that you qualify based on your service history and duty status. Keep in mind that for a VA - backed home loan, you ll also need to meet your lender s credit and income loan requirements to receive financing. 

Can I get a Certificate of Eligibility for a VA direct or VA-backed home loan? 
You may be able to get a COE if you didn t receive a dishonorable discharge and you meet the minimum active - duty service requirement based on when you served. 

How do I apply for my COE? 
You can apply online right now. Go to eBenefits to apply Learn more about how to apply for your COE 

What if I don t meet the minimum service requirements? 
You may still be able to get a COE if you were discharged for one of the reasons listed below. You must have been discharged for one of these reasons : Hardship , or The convenience of the government , or Reduction in force , or Certain medical conditions , or A service - connected disability a disability related to your military service 

What should I do if I received an other than honorable, bad conduct, or dishonorable discharge? 
If you ve received one of these discharge statuses , you may not be eligible for VA benefits. There are 2 ways you can try to qualify : Find out how to apply for a discharge upgradeLearn about the VA Character of Discharge review process 

Can I get a COE as the spouse of a Veteran? 
You may be able to get a COE if you re the surviving spouse of a Veteran or the spouse of a Veteran who is missing in action or being held as a Prisoner of War POW. Find out how to apply for a COE as a surviving spouse 

Can I get a COE in any other situations? 
You may be able to get a COE if you meet at least one of the requirements listed below. At least one of these must be true. You: Are a U.S. citizen who se

user: Can I be backed by a VA home loan if I do not quite meet my lender's credit requirements? 

assistant: For a VA home loan you will also need to meet your lender's credit and income loan requirements to receive financing. 

user: Can I get a Certificate of Eligibility as the spouse of a veteran? 

assistant: You may be able to get a COE if you are the surviving spouse of a veteran or the spouse of a veteran who is missing in action or being held as a prisoner of war. 

user: Can I use the same COE I used to purchase my current home if I am relocating? 

assistant: You may be able to restore an entitlement you used in the past to buy another home with a VA direct or VA-backed loan if you meet certain requirements. 

user: Does my current home need to be sold to re-use my COE or can I keep it and use it as a rental property? 

assistant: You can re-use a COE if you've sold the home you bought with the prior loan and have paid that loan in full among other requirements.  If you wish to request an entitlement restoration, fill out a Request for Certificate of Eligibility VA Form 26-1880 and send it to the VA regional loan center for your state. 

user: What are the requirements for re-using a COE? 

assistant: Have you sold the home that you bought with the prior loan and paid that loan in full? 

user: I have not sold the home.  I was wondering if I could keep it and use it as a rental property. 

assistant: Is it possible that a qualified veteran-transferee would agree to assume your loan and substitute their entitlement for the same amount of entitlement that you originally used? 

user: I do not understand what that means or how that would work. 

assistant: If you could find a qualified veteran-transferee that would make that agreement, you could do that and then re-use your COE.