Who's Eligible for a VA-Backed Loan?
Veterans
Active duty personnel
Reservists/National Guard members
Some surviving spouses
Go to Eligibility Rules for detailed information.
You’ll need a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) before
you can get a VA-backed loan. Veterans, Active Duty, and Reservists/National Guard Members Who
Have Served on Active Duty. You can get a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) in any of three ways:
1) Apply online. Go to the eBenefits portal and click on the My eBenefits tab towards the top, on the left side. It will open a screen with several benefit
areas. On the bottom right of the screen is the Housing tab. You will need login credentials to request a Certificate
of Eligibility (COE). If you have them, enter your Username and Password, if you need to request login credentials,
you can simply click on the "Request/Activate a DoD Self-Service Logon" link which is shown below the
area where you logon.
2) Apply through the lender. In many cases,
lenders can obtain a Certificate online in minutes.
3) Apply by mail.
Use VA Form 26-1880 Return it to the address shown on the form.
