VA Home Loan for National Guard and Reserves
Many active service members in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard know they can obtain a VA home loan. However, National Guard and Reserve members may be unaware that they are eligible for this benefit, too.
- Members of the National Guard and Reserves are eligible to obtain VA home loans at the same rates as other service members.
- To be eligible for a VA home loan, you must have served in the Guard or Reserves for at least six years, served for 90 days of federally activated service, or been discharged due to service-connected disability.
- The dedicated veterans’ advocates at Veterans Guide can help you navigate the VA loan process.
On This Page
- Can National Guard and Reserve Members Get a VA Home Loan?
- How To Obtain a Certificate of Eligibility for National Guard and Reserves
- How Lenders Count Income for National Guard and Reserve Members
- The VA’s Funding Fee
- FAQs for Reservists and National Guard Members
- Secure Your VA Loan as a National Guard or Reserve Member
Can National Guard and Reserve Members Get a VA Home Loan?
VA home loans help veterans, active-duty service members, and qualifying surviving spouses buy, build, or improve a home or refinance a current home loan. Private lenders fund the loans, with the federal government guaranteeing a portion. This guarantee enables lenders to offer more favorable terms and interest rates. National Guard and Reserve members are eligible for VA home loans. However, they must meet specific requirements that differ from those that apply to active-duty service members.
The minimum length of service is the primary requirement for National Guard and Reserve members to qualify for VA loans. National Guard members are generally eligible for VA loans if their service meets any of the following criteria:
- At least 90 days of non-training active-duty Title 10 service
- At least 90 days of active-duty Title 32 service, including at least 30 consecutive days
- Six creditable years in the National Guard, and they continue to serve
- Six creditable years in the National Guard, and they were discharged honorably or placed on the retired list
Title 10 service occurs when the president orders Guard or Reserve members to report for active duty. Meanwhile, Title 32 service occurs when a state’s governor mobilizes or activates the National Guard, typically for disaster response or homeland security matters.
Reserve members must meet one of the following service requirements:
- At least 90 days of non-training active-duty service
- Six creditable years in the Selected Reserve, and they continue to serve
- Six creditable years in the Selected Reserve, and they were discharged honorably or placed on the retired list
Eligibility for Guard and Reserve Veterans With Service-Connected Disabilities
Guard and Reserve veterans discharged due to a service-connected disability can also be eligible for VA home loans. A service-connected disability is a condition caused or exacerbated by your military service. An experienced veterans’ advocate can help determine whether your discharge on disability grounds could qualify you for a VA loan.
How To Obtain a Certificate of Eligibility for National Guard and Reserves
You must obtain a VA home loan Certificate of Eligibility, or COE, to prove to your lender that you meet these service requirements. You can request a COE online or ask your lender to obtain one for you. Lenders may ask for documentation of your service, which
Depending on your type of service and the branch, important forms you may need include the following:
- National Guard: NGB-22 or NGB-23
- Army Reserve: DARP Form FM 249-2E or ARPC Form 606-E
- Navy Reserve: NRPC 1070-124
- Air Force Reserve: AF-526
- Marine Corps Reserve: NAVMC-HQ509 or NAVMC-798
- Coast Guard Reserve: CG-4174 or CG-4175
Reservist points statements are not always readily available online. Your branch’s Reserve Personnel Center, or RPC, can provide more information about how to request your points statement and other required paperwork.
How Lenders Count Income for National Guard and Reserve Members
Although the government guarantees part of VA home loans, private lenders fund them. Thus, you must meet the lender’s income requirements and minimum credit score criteria.
Guard and Reserve homebuyers can include their active service income when applying for a VA home loan. Lenders will focus on financial stability when assessing the eligibility for a loan.
If the applicant relies on their military income, lenders will consider the service history and the likelihood of it continuing or changing. If financial stability or employment is a concern, your military income may help offset short-term obligations. Lenders may also examine whether your income could change based on unit activation.
While the VA does not require a minimum credit score, lenders usually require a credit score of 620 or higher for approval.
The VA's Funding Fee
The VA charges a one-time funding fee associated with all home loans. This fee is a percentage of the total loan, which varies depending on the size of the down payment and whether or not the veteran has used a VA loan before. Higher down payments lead to lower funding fees, and, in some cases, first-time applicants pay lower funding fees than repeat loan recipients.
Before January 2020, National Guard and Reserve members paid higher VA funding fees than other service members. However, the funding fee is now equal across the board. The fee is only waived in cases where the veteran has a service-connected disability.
FAQs for Reservists and National Guard Members
The following are common questions about VA home loans that we receive from National Guard and Reserve members:
Can I Use a VA Loan if I'm Still Serving in the National Guard or Reserves?
You can use a VA loan if you’re still serving in the National Guard or Reserve, as long as you have met the six-year minimum service requirement or served for more than 90 days on federal activation.
What if I Haven't Served for Six Years but Have Been Activated for Federal Service?
You may be eligible to receive a VA home loan without meeting the six-year minimum service requirement if you’ve been activated for federal service. However, federal activation isn’t enough on its own. You must serve at least 90 days of full-time active-duty service in a non-training setting before your federally activated service will qualify you for a VA loan.
Can I Buy a Home With a VA Loan if I'm Currently Deployed?
How Do I Prove My Service if I'm a National Guard or Reserve Member?
You can prove your National Guard or Reserve service to a home lender using the relevant documentation that applies to your service.
If you’re a member of the National Guard, this documentation usually consists of either form NGB-22 or one of the NGB-23 forms.
If you’re a Reservist, your branch’s Reserve Personnel Center will have its own process for you to access points statements and discharge statements.
Can My Spouse Use My VA Loan Benefits if I'm Deployed or Stationed Overseas?
Your spouse can use your VA loan benefits if you’re serving overseas. While your spouse won’t be able to access your VA loan benefits on their own, they can still sign onto a VA loan with you as a co-borrower or co-signer.
VA loans require that you use the property as your primary residence. Generally, you must move in within 60 days of closing and live in the home for at least one year. However, your spouse can meet the standard 60-day move-in residency deadline for VA loans on their own if you are deployed and unable to move in on time.
If you are deployed at the time of signing, your spouse may be able to close on the loan on your behalf through a power of attorney.
Secure Your VA Loan as a National Guard or Reserve Member
If you’re a National Guard or Reserve member considering a VA home loan, Veterans Guide can help. We can connect you with an experienced team of veterans and allies who can help you navigate the VA home loan process, maximize your benefits, and secure the best financing options available.
Call 888-982-1009 or contact us online today for more information.
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