The VA home loan benefit is one of the most valuable financial tools available to American veterans, active-duty service members, and eligible surviving spouses — and one of the most underutilized. Millions of veterans who qualify for VA loans never use them, often because they do not fully understand the benefit or assume they will not qualify.
This guide covers everything you need to know about VA loans in 2026: who qualifies, the benefits, the funding fee, entitlement, and how the process works across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Florida, and California.
VA loan eligibility is based on your service record, not your income or credit score. You must obtain a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) from the VA to document your eligibility.
Currently serving on active duty — eligible after 90 continuous days of service.
Unmarried surviving spouses of veterans who died in service or from a service-connected disability may be eligible. Spouses of POW/MIA service members may also qualify.
You must have been discharged under conditions other than dishonorable. Some situations involving other-than-honorable discharges may still qualify — the VA reviews these on a case-by-case basis.
Unlike FHA's mortgage insurance premium, the VA does not charge monthly insurance. Instead, there is a one-time funding fee paid at closing. In 2026, the funding fee rates are:
| Usage | Down Payment | Funding Fee (First Use) | Subsequent Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purchase | Less than 5% | 2.15% | 3.30% |
| Purchase | 5% to 9.99% | 1.50% | 1.50% |
| Purchase | 10% or more | 1.25% | 1.25% |
| IRRRL Refinance | N/A | 0.50% | 0.50% |
| Cash-Out Refinance | N/A | 2.15% | 3.30% |
The funding fee can be rolled into the loan balance — you do not need to pay it in cash at closing.
Since 2020, there are no VA loan limits for veterans with full entitlement. You can borrow as much as a lender will approve without a down payment — there is no cap tied to county loan limits.
VA loan limits only apply to veterans with reduced entitlement (because they have an existing VA loan they have not paid off). In those cases, the county loan limit determines the maximum loan amount without a down payment.
Entitlement is the dollar amount the VA will guarantee on your loan. There are two types:
$36,000 (or up to 25% of the county loan limit for loans over $144,000). This is what the VA will pay your lender if you default on a loan up to $144,000.
Additional entitlement beyond the basic amount. With full entitlement, there is effectively no cap — the VA will guarantee 25% of whatever the lender approves. This is what allows zero-down purchases of million-dollar homes in high-cost markets like NYC or LA.
You can restore your entitlement in three ways: sell the home and pay off the VA loan, have another veteran assume your VA loan, or pay off the loan and keep the home (but then you have two VA loans simultaneously — allowed once). You can apply for restoration through the VA using Form 26-1880.
| Factor | VA Loan | FHA Loan |
|---|---|---|
| Down Payment | 0% | 3.5% (580+ score) |
| Monthly Insurance | None | 0.55% annually (life of loan) |
| Funding Fee | 1.25–2.15% (one-time) | 1.75% UFMIP + monthly MIP |
| Interest Rate | Typically lowest | Below conventional |
| Credit Flexibility | High | High |
| Property Types | Primary only | Primary only |
For eligible veterans, the VA loan is almost always the better financial choice. The absence of monthly mortgage insurance alone saves $150–$250/month compared to FHA. The only scenario where FHA might be preferred is if the veteran has significant disability-exempt entitlement concerns or is purchasing a property that fails VA minimum property standards but would pass an FHA inspection.
Grand Mortgage Solutions processes VA loans across PA, NJ, NY, FL, and CA. We help veterans obtain their COE, navigate the VA appraisal process, and structure a zero-down application for maximum approval strength — all with a 48-hour pre-approval turnaround.
Start My VA Loan Application →Программа VA — один из самых ценных финансовых инструментов для ветеранов и военнослужащих США. Миллионы ветеранов, имеющих право на VA, никогда им не пользуются — часто просто не зная о его возможностях.
Право возникает после 90 непрерывных дней службы.
Незамужние/неженатые пережившие супруги ветеранов, погибших на службе или от травм, связанных со службой.
| Покупка | Взнос | Первое использование | Повторное |
|---|---|---|---|
| Покупка | Менее 5% | 2,15% | 3,30% |
| Покупка | 5–9,99% | 1,50% | 1,50% |
| Покупка | 10% и более | 1,25% | 1,25% |
С 2020 года для ветеранов с полным правом на VA лимитов по сумме кредита нет. Можете занять столько, сколько одобрит кредитор — без обязательного взноса.
| Параметр | VA кредит | FHA кредит |
|---|---|---|
| Первоначальный взнос | 0% | 3,5% |
| Ежемесячное страхование | Нет | 0,55% в год — весь срок |
| Сбор за финансирование | 1,25–2,15% (единоразово) | 1,75% UFMIP + ежемесячный MIP |
Для права имеющих ветеранов VA почти всегда выгоднее. Только отсутствие ежемесячного страхования экономит $150–$250/мес по сравнению с FHA.
Grand Mortgage Solutions обрабатывает VA кредиты в PA, NJ, NY, FL и CA. Помогаем получить Свидетельство о праве (COE), пройти оценку VA и оформить заявку с нулевым взносом. Предодобрение за 48 часов.
Начать VA заявку →