What credit score is needed for a VA loan?

The Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) aims to aid Veterans, active-duty service members and their families, including through a VA loan for buying a home. VA loans allow potential homeowners more flexibility in terms of requirements.  

The VA does not set a minimum credit score for home loans. Any credit score minimums or requirements will come from lenders. 

Are you ready to explore how a VA loan can help achieve your homeownership goals? Apply now! 

While the VA has no set minimum credit score for VA loans, the VA allows lenders to set their own requirements. This includes a minimum credit score. 

Rate does not require a minimum credit score to apply for a VA loan but reviews full credit history to help service members qualify. 

Even with a lower credit score, it is possible for borrowers to get a VA loan. 

Since the VA does not require a minimum credit score, it is possible to receive a loan with a low or bad credit score. However, your credit history and other financial data will be important to lenders. 

The easiest way to know what credit requirements you need to meet for a VA loan is by talking to a lender. 

When it comes to VA loan requirements, credit score is not necessarily one of them. The VA does not have any requirements when it comes to credit, but your lender might. Because of this, there can be variation between lenders when it comes to credit score requirements. At Rate, all mortgage applications are subject to credit approval. 

Rate’s Zero Down for Heroes program offers a $0 down payment option with no private mortgage insurance (PMI) for Veterans and active-duty service members. 

This program assists members of the military community with competitive rates, forgiving VA credit standards and 100% equity cash-out refinancing options*. 

For eligibility to the program, the home you choose will need to be your primary residence. 

There are several VA loan qualifications and requirements from both your lender and the VA to consider. 

The requirements of your lender are on top of any VA requirements and can relate to your credit score, income and acceptable levels of debt. Low credit score may mean higher mortgage interest rates from lenders. 

To be eligible for your VA loan, you will need a Certificate of Eligibility (COE). To receive your COE, you will need to meet at least one of the following: 

• Active-duty members need to have served 90 consecutive days during wartime or 181 days of active service during peacetime. 

• Veterans must meet the length-of-service standards, according to VA.gov. 

• National Guard or Selected Reserve members must have completed six years of service. 

If you aren’t eligible for VA loans or are exploring other options, reach out to multiple lenders and find the interest rate that best suits your needs. 

The first thing you need to do when applying for you VA loan is to get your VA Certificate of Eligibility (COE). 

You can access your COE and identify your VA loan eligibility status by logging into the  VA website or by contacting a mortgage specialist. Rate can help you access your COE.

You can also estimate your payments with our VA mortgage loan calculator.

To get your COE and start the VA loan process, apply now! 

*Using funds from a Cash-out Refinance to consolidate debt may result in the debt taking longer to pay off as it will be combined with borrower’s mortgage principle amount and will be paid off over the full loan term. VA Cash-out Refinance not available in Texas. Rate has no affiliation with the US Department of Veterans Affairs. Contact Rate for more information 

Applicant subject to credit and underwriting approval. Not all applicants will be approved for financing. Receipt of application does not represent an approval for financing or interest rate guarantee. Refinancing your mortgage may increase costs over the term of your loan. Restrictions may apply.  

Rate is a private corporation organized under the laws of the State of Delaware. It has no affiliation with the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, the US Department of Veterans Affairs, the Nevada Department of Veterans Services, the US Department of Agriculture, or any other government agency. No compensation can be received for advising or assisting another person with a matter relating to veterans’ benefits except as authorized under Title 38 of the United States Code.