The VA home loan benefit, from service record to front door
Chapter 2: entitlement, full and remaining
Bottom line
Entitlement is the amount VA will guarantee on your behalf. With full entitlement there is no VA loan limit; the lender decides how much you can borrow. If part of your entitlement is tied up in another VA loan, you have remaining entitlement, and the county conforming loan limit is used to work out how much VA can still guarantee.
Last reviewed against the primary sources listed below.
Full entitlement
You generally have full entitlement if you have never used the benefit, or you used it and repaid the loan in full and sold the home, or had your entitlement restored. Since 2020, VA has no loan limit for buyers with full entitlement, as VA explains.
Remaining entitlement
If a VA loan is still open, or entitlement was lost in a foreclosure, part of it is in use. For the next loan, VA uses the county's conforming loan limit to calculate the guarantee still available.
Can you buy a million-dollar home?
With full entitlement VA sets no cap, but the lender must approve the loan on income and credit, and some lenders set their own maximums.
What veterans and families ask
How does VA entitlement work?
Entitlement is the portion of a loan VA guarantees for you. Full entitlement means no VA loan limit; remaining entitlement is calculated using the county conforming loan limit.
Can I buy a million dollar home with a VA loan?
With full entitlement VA sets no loan limit, but the lender must approve the amount based on your income and credit.
Where do I see my entitlement?
On your Certificate of Eligibility, which you can request from VA or through a lender.