Yes, members of the National Guard and Selected Reserve can use a VA loan once they meet the service requirements. It is the same benefit active-duty members and veterans receive, reached through a different eligibility path. So if you are asking whether reserves can use a VA loan, the answer is yes, but “weekend drills” alone will not get you there. This guide is updated for October 2026.
Below are the service rules, how to get your Certificate of Eligibility (COE), what the funding fee and entitlement mean in dollars, and how credit scores work. You can also check where you stand with a soft credit pull, so your score is not touched while you plan. Duane Buziak is a VA loan specialist licensed in Virginia, Florida, Tennessee, and Georgia. He shops 500+ wholesale lenders for reservists, including borrowers with scores down to 500.
The Service Requirements That Qualify Guard and Reserve Members
By Duane Buziak, NMLS #1110647. I am an independent mortgage broker, not a direct lender. I have a 500 FICO floor and access to 500+ wholesale lenders, which is different from a single-shelf direct lender such as Veterans United, Rocket, or Movement.
The VA’s home loan eligibility page lays out two main paths for Guard and Reserve members. Check the page for current wording before you rely on my summary.
- Six creditable years in the Selected Reserve or National Guard. The Selected Reserve is the part of the Reserve components that drills and is paid. You qualify with six years if you were honorably discharged, are on the retired list, moved to the Standby or Individual Ready Reserve after honorable service, or are still serving.
- At least 90 days of qualifying active service. Title 10 activation, such as a mobilization or deployment, can count here. Guard members activated under Title 32 generally need qualifying non-training orders, with a consecutive-day requirement. Confirm the exact order types and day counts on the VA page.
A few other situations exist, such as a discharge for a service-connected disability before completing the time. A file review will tell you which one fits you.
The mistake that costs people time
Many reservists assume drill weekends and annual training add up to qualifying active duty. Training-only service generally does not satisfy the 90-day path by itself. What counts is the type of orders you served under: Title 10 activation, or qualifying Title 32 orders that are not training. If you have been in for five years and nine months, the six-year path is close. If you have a deployment on your record, you may already qualify through the 90-day path. Pull your orders before you assume either way.
Getting Your COE When Your Service Record Is Part-Time
The COE is the VA’s proof that you are eligible and shows how much entitlement you have. Entitlement is the amount the VA guarantees to the investor, and it is what lets you buy with no down payment. You can request it three ways, and the VA’s COE page walks through each:
- Online through the VA eligibility portal on VA.gov.
- Through a broker who can pull the COE from the VA’s system. I do this routinely, and it is usually the fastest route when your documents are in order.
- By mail using VA Form 26-1880, with your supporting documents attached.
Reservists typically need a Statement of Service signed by the unit or a personnel officer. Guard members commonly use the NGB Form 22, and a retirement points statement (NGB Form 23 for the Guard) can establish creditable years. Add orders or a DD-214 for any active-duty period. Document lists change, so confirm the current one on VA.gov before you gather papers.
Reading the entitlement section
A COE for a first-time user shows full entitlement. With full entitlement the VA sets no loan limit, though the investor still has to approve your income and credit. If you used the benefit before, the COE shows what remains. That can mean a second-tier situation, where the guarantee on a new loan is based on your remaining entitlement and the county loan limit, and a down payment may be needed on larger loans.
If you sold the earlier home and paid off the loan, you may be able to request restoration of entitlement. If you still own that home, it generally stays tied up. Check what is left before you start shopping, because it changes your price range.
Funding Fee, Entitlement, and a Worked Dollar Example for a Reservist
Reserve and National Guard members once paid a higher funding fee tier than regular military. As I understand the VA’s current funding fee table, the two groups now pay the same percentages. For a purchase with first-time use, the table lists 2.15% with less than 5% down, 1.5% with 5% to under 10% down, and 1.25% with 10% or more. Subsequent use with less than 5% down is 3.3%. These rates can change, so confirm them on VA.gov when you apply.
The math on a $350,000 purchase
Suppose you buy at $350,000 with 0% down and first-time use. This is an illustration, not a quote, and the 6.25% rate below is a placeholder to show the effect on a payment.
- Funding fee: $350,000 × 2.15% = $7,525.
- Financed loan amount: $350,000 + $7,525 = $357,525.
- Principal and interest at an illustrative 6.25%, 30 years: about $2,201 a month.
- Same loan with a funding fee exemption: the loan stays at $350,000, and principal and interest is about $2,155 a month.
The exemption saves $7,525 in financed balance and roughly $46 a month in this example. Taxes, insurance, and any mortgage-related fees are extra.
Who is exempt
The VA’s list generally includes veterans who receive VA disability compensation, Purple Heart recipients, and surviving spouses receiving Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC). It also covers some service members who would receive compensation if not for retirement or active-duty pay, such as those with a pending rating. Confirm the current list on the VA page. If you have a pending disability claim, tell your broker early, because a decision can change your fee before closing.
Can Reservists Use a VA Loan With a Low Credit Score?
Often yes, but it depends on who is reviewing the file. The VA does not set a minimum credit score. Each investor sets its own, and those extra requirements are called overlays. That is why two reservists with identical service records and identical scores can get different answers from different companies.
A 500 FICO is the floor I work to, not a promise. Approval still depends on income, debt-to-income ratio, and residual income, which is the money left each month after taxes, debts, and a VA-set allowance for family size and region. A borrower at 500 with strong income and low debts may be approved when a borrower at 620 with thin residual income is not. I never guarantee an approval or a rate.
As a broker, I place the file based on the profile. A 500-range score goes to the investors that accept it. A 580 or 620+ borrower can be compared across many more, instead of being held to one company’s overlay.
Seeing where you stand without a credit hit
NoTouch Credit Pull is how VA Loans Pro by Duane Buziak does this. It is a soft credit pull mortgage pre-qualification: I review your credit without a hard inquiry, so your score is not dinged just to find out where you stand. A standard pre-approval usually requires a hard pull first.
For a reservist on the edge of a score cutoff, a no hard inquiry mortgage pre approval removes the risk of losing points before you know your options. It is useful at the start, when you may still be paying down a card or fixing an error. Working with a soft pull mortgage broker lets you test your position, then decide whether to apply or improve your score first. I also offer free DIY credit improvement resources.
Broker vs. Direct Lender: A Comparison for Reserve Borrowers
The table below compares the main options. Figures reflect published standards as of October 2026 and can change, so confirm with each company.
| Company | FICO Min (VA) | Lender Type | Loan Shelf | Fees | Credit Pull at Pre-Approval | Process Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VA Loans Pro by Duane Buziak | 500 | Independent broker | 500+ wholesale lenders; VA, FHA, USDA, Conventional, DSCR/Non-QM, Bank Statement, ITIN | Broker-negotiated and shop-able; no-out-of-pocket closing options available | Soft pull through NoTouch Credit Pull | Can pull the COE; compares rate, credits, and fees across investors |
| Veterans United | 620 (published standard) | Direct lender | Single VA-focused shelf | Set by the company; compare on a Loan Estimate | Confirm with the company | VA-only specialization and deep process support |
| Rocket | No public VA-specific floor | Direct lender | Single shelf | Set by the company; compare on a Loan Estimate | Hard pull before firm numbers | Full online application |
| Movement | 580 | Direct lender | Single shelf | Set by the company; compare on a Loan Estimate | Hard pull at application | Full application |
Veterans United deserves real credit. It is a large, VA-focused company with a mature process, and many reservists have had good experiences there. The tradeoff is structural: a direct lender can only offer its own rate sheet and its own credit floor.
A broker works the other way around. Hundreds of investors compete for the same borrower, which gives you leverage rather than less. Duane Buziak is ranked #114 nationally in the Scotsman Guide’s Top Originators and was named VA Broker of the Year for 2024 and 2025. NoTouch Credit Pull also means you do not give up a digital, no-friction start to get that choice.
What 500+ wholesale lenders means in practice
For the same borrower, I compare rate, lender credits, and fee structure across several investors, then present the combination that fits your goals. A zero-kickback policy keeps the advice free of side incentives. Ask about our no-out-of-pocket closing options, where closing costs are covered through credits or seller concessions in the right scenario. The Total Cost Ecosystem covers savings on title, realtor, and insurance. The Dare to Compare challenge means you can bring any competing estimate, and Duane Buziak will show you how the numbers stack up line by line.
Reservist-Specific Situations: Deployment, DPA, and Where You Buy
Occupancy while on orders
A VA loan requires you to certify that you intend to occupy the home as your primary residence, generally within a reasonable period after closing. Deployment and spouse occupancy have specific rules, and a spouse can sometimes satisfy the requirement while the service member is away. The details are in the VA Lenders Handbook, VA Pamphlet 26-7. If you expect orders soon after closing, tell me before you sign a contract.
Down payment assistance
If savings are thin, Dynamo and Turbo DPA may help in some scenarios. Per program specs, Dynamo offers 2.5% or 3.5% with a 580 FICO minimum. Turbo offers 3.5% or 5% with a 600 FICO minimum and up to 101.5% CLTV. Availability, state, and whether assistance can be paired with a VA loan must be confirmed for each scenario before anyone promises you anything. Because a VA loan already allows 0% down, DPA is most often useful for closing costs or when other loan types are a better fit.
Loan limits where you buy
I am licensed in Virginia, Florida, Tennessee, and Georgia, so these rules are not tied to any one market. With full entitlement, the VA sets no loan limit. County limits matter if you have used entitlement before or are in a second-tier situation. The FHFA’s conforming loan limits for 2026 set the baseline at $832,750 for most counties. Northern Virginia counties and some Florida markets fall under higher high-cost limits. Look up your county on the FHFA page, since the exact figure drives the second-tier math.
Your Next Step: A Soft-Pull Pre-Qualification
Guard and Reserve members can use a VA loan once the service requirements and a COE are in place. The order of operations is simple: confirm which service path fits you, gather your documents, then find out where your credit and income stand. A NoTouch Credit Pull pre-qualification with Duane Buziak at VA Loans Pro by Duane Buziak gives you a mortgage pre approval without hard pull, so you can plan before you commit. Call 804-212-8663 to start. The number routes from Virginia, but I work with reservists in Florida, Tennessee, and Georgia as well.
Reservist VA Loan FAQ
Do reservists qualify for VA loans?
Yes, National Guard and Selected Reserve members qualify once they meet the service requirements. Most qualify with six creditable years of service or with at least 90 days of qualifying active service, then confirm eligibility with a COE.
How many years of Reserve service are required?
Six creditable years in the Selected Reserve or National Guard is the standard requirement. You must also be honorably discharged, retired, transferred to the Standby or Individual Ready Reserve after honorable service, or still serving.
Do drill weekends count?
Drill weekends count toward the six years of Selected Reserve service, but training alone generally does not meet the 90-day active-service path. For that path, you need qualifying Title 10 orders or qualifying non-training Title 32 orders.
Is the funding fee higher for reservists?
As I understand the VA’s current table, no: Reserve and National Guard members pay the same percentages as regular military. First-time use with 0% down is 2.15%, but confirm the current table on VA.gov before you apply.
Can I use a VA loan while still serving?
Yes, you can use a VA loan while still serving in the Guard or Reserve once you are eligible. You must intend to occupy the home as your primary residence, with specific rules for deployment and spouse occupancy.
What credit score do I need?
The VA sets no minimum credit score, so the requirement depends on the investor. I can work with scores down to 500, but approval is not guaranteed and depends on income, debt-to-income, and residual income.
Can I get a COE online?
Yes, you can request a COE through the VA eligibility portal on VA.gov. You can also have a broker pull it, or mail VA Form 26-1880 with your supporting documents.
Can I reuse the benefit?
Yes, the VA loan benefit can be reused. If you still own a home bought with it, you may have remaining entitlement. If you sold and paid off that loan, you can request restoration of entitlement.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is not financial, legal, or tax advice. Rates, fees, program rules, and eligibility requirements are subject to change, and approval is not guaranteed. Examples are illustrations, not quotes. Consult a licensed professional about your situation. Equal Housing Opportunity.
About the author: Duane Buziak, NMLS #1110647, is a VA loan specialist and independent mortgage broker with VA Loans Pro by Duane Buziak. He is ranked #114 nationally in the Scotsman Guide’s Top Originators, was named VA Broker of the Year for 2024 and 2025, and has earned 1,400+ five-star reviews. He serves veterans, active-duty members, and Guard and Reserve borrowers in Virginia, Florida, Tennessee, and Georgia.