VA Bonus Entitlement Calculator
Being PCS'd or relocating with an active VA loan? See in seconds whether you can buy your next home with $0 down using your remaining (bonus / second-tier) entitlement — and exactly how much down payment you'd need if you're short.
Not the current balance — the loan amount when it was originated.
Worked example: $400,000 purchase, existing VA loan open
Sgt. Alvarez is PCS'ing from Fort Liberty (NC) to Colorado Springs and wants to buy a $400,000 home while keeping his current VA-financed rental back home.
- • New home county loan limit (El Paso, CO, 2026 baseline): $806,500
- • Total entitlement available: $806,500 × 25% = $201,625
- • Entitlement previously charged (existing $260,000 VA loan × 25%): $65,000
- • Remaining entitlement: $201,625 − $65,000 = $136,625
- • Max $0-down loan: $136,625 × 4 = $546,500
The $400,000 purchase sits well under the $546,500 zero-down ceiling, so Sgt. Alvarez can close with $0 down using bonus entitlement — no COE restoration needed, existing rental stays open.
If the purchase price were $600,000 instead, the shortfall ($600K − $546.5K = $53.5K) would require a 25% down payment on that gap — roughly $13,375 at closing.
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Frequently asked questions
What is VA bonus (second-tier) entitlement?
Bonus entitlement — also called second-tier entitlement — lets a veteran with an existing VA loan use their remaining VA benefit to buy another home, often with $0 down. It's most commonly used for PCS moves, job relocations, or veterans keeping their prior home as a rental.
How is bonus entitlement calculated?
Total entitlement equals 25% of the new home's county loan limit. Subtract the entitlement already charged on your existing VA loan (usually 25% of that loan's original amount). Multiply the remainder by 4 — that's your new maximum zero-down loan.
Do I need a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) first?
This calculator is an educational estimator, not a COE lookup. The exact entitlement charged on your prior loan appears on your official COE, which your lender can pull in minutes. Always confirm the exact numbers with a licensed VA-approved loan officer before making an offer.
What if my remaining entitlement isn't enough?
You have three options: put 25% down on the difference between the purchase price and your max zero-down loan, pay off the existing VA loan at closing to restore full entitlement, or file VA Form 26-1880 for a one-time restoration if you've already paid off a prior VA loan.
Is the VA funding fee included?
Yes — the calculator estimates the current VA funding fee (2.15% first use / 3.3% subsequent use with $0 down, lower with a down payment, waived for veterans with a service-connected disability rating of 10%+ or eligible surviving spouses).
How this works
Uses the 2026 FHFA/VA one-unit conforming loan limit (baseline $832,750, with high-cost county overrides for common relocation destinations). This is an educational estimator — not a Certificate of Eligibility, approval, rate quote, or fee quote. Actual entitlement charged, county loan limit, and funding fee must be confirmed on your official COE and with a licensed VA-approved loan officer.