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.
Related calculators & guides
Popular $0-down VA affordability scenarios
State-specific "how much house can I afford" pages tuned for 0% down (VA loans).
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.
Related calculators
Curious how VA stacks up against FHA on total 30-year cost? Run the VA vs FHA calculator. Turn entitlement into a real purchase number with the affordability calculator (select VA as your loan type) and verify your DTI against VA's residual-income rules. Already have a VA loan and rates have dropped? See if an IRRRL makes sense in the refinance calculator. Plan your monthly payment in the mortgage payment calculator and your cash to close in the closing costs calculator.