VA Loan Eligibility

Who Is Eligible for a VA Loan?

VA home loan benefits are available to veterans, active-duty service members, certain National Guard and Reserve members, and eligible surviving spouses. The VA sets service requirements that determine whether you qualify for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE), which lenders use to approve your loan.

Veterans

If you served on active duty in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, or Space Force, you may be eligible based on length of service. Generally, 90 consecutive days during wartime or 181 days during peacetime (or 6 years in the Guard/Reserves under certain conditions) can qualify you. Specific requirements depend on when you served.

Active-Duty Service Members

Active-duty personnel typically become eligible after 90 days of continuous service. Many stationed at Barksdale AFB or elsewhere in Louisiana use their benefit to buy a home before or after a PCS. If you're unsure about your eligibility, we can walk through your dates of service during a VA Strategy Session.

National Guard & Reserves

Guard and Reserve members may qualify after 6 years of service, or sooner if they were called to active duty for a qualifying period. Eligibility rules can be nuanced, so having a lender who understands VA guidelines — like Acadiana Mortgage — helps avoid surprises.

Eligible Surviving Spouses

Surviving spouses of service members who died in service or from a service-connected disability may be eligible for a VA loan. The VA has specific criteria; we can help you determine whether you qualify and what documentation you'll need.

Getting Your Certificate of Eligibility (COE)

Your COE is the VA's confirmation that you meet service requirements for a VA loan. Lenders use it to approve your loan. You can request it through the VA online, or we can often obtain it for you during the application process. If you've used your VA benefit before, you may still have remaining entitlement — we'll review that when we run your numbers.