How Much is the VA Funding Fee, and Who is Exempt?

It's common knowledge among vets, active duty service members and their families that the Department of Veterans Affairs offers VA home loans. What's not so common knowledge is how the government pays for it and how VA borrowers contribute to the program.

Key Takeaways

• The VA funding fee is a one-time payment to the federal government to help keep the program running for future generations.
• Veterans receiving disability benefits, military spouses and Purple Heart recipients are exempt from paying the VA funding fee.
• The VA funding fee is 2.3% for first-time VA loan users and 3.6% for subsequent use.
• The VA funding fee can roll into the entire loan amount.

The VA loan is partly paid for by federal tax dollars and by users of the program through the VA funding fee.

One of the first questions a VA mortgage applicant asks after learning about the VA funding fee is, "How much is it?"

There is no one-size-fits-all answer or flat rate when it comes to VA funding fee amounts. The fee is a percentage that varies on if the borrower has a down payment or has used the VA loan before. Additionally, the borrower may not even need to pay the VA funding fee.

How much is the VA funding fee?

The VA funding fee is 2.3% of the loan amount for first-time users of the VA loan. Subsequent VA loan uses are typically 3.6%. However, the VA funding fee can decrease depending on if you utilize a down payment.

If you're utilizing the VA Streamline refinance (IRRRL), the funding fee is .5%. The VA cash-out refinance follows purchase requirements at 2.3% or 3.6%, depending on prior use.

Here's what the VA funding fee looks like when you have a down payment:

Who is exempt from paying the VA funding fee?

Not everyone is required to pay the VA funding fee.

Veterans injured during service are exempt from paying the VA funding fee if they receive disability compensation or have a disability rating of 10% or higher. Surviving spouses of Veterans who died in the line of duty also qualify for a funding fee exemption.

In August 2012, the passage of Public Law 112-154, the Honoring America's Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012 resulted in the Department of Veterans Affairs changing the way it evaluates applications for funding fee waivers.

The law now permits a waiver based on a pre-discharge review of existing medical evidence (for example, service medical and treatment records), that results in the issuance of a memorandum rating by the VA. This was important for some veterans who deserved a VA loan funding fee waiver, but previously, could not get their waiver in time to close the loan.

As of January 1, 2020, Purple Heart recipients also qualify to receive a VA funding fee exemption when obtaining a VA home loan.

Here's the complete list of those exempt from the VA funding fee:

• Veterans who receive VA compensation for service-related disabilities rated 10% or greater.
• Veterans rated by the VA as eligible to receive compensation as a result of pre-discharge disability examination and rating.
• Veterans who would receive compensation for service-related disabilities if they did not receive retirement pay.
• Surviving spouses of military members who died on duty or who died or from service-related disabilities as determined by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
• Recipients of the Purple Heart.

Remember, the VA has the last word on who is exempt, and some issues may be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. If you have any doubts, ask your local VA rep to review your service records (or your spouse's records) to get a determination from the VA.

Applying for a VA Funding Fee Exemption

The existence of these situations that exempt the borrower from paying the VA funding fee isn't enough. The VA requires the following documentation and paperwork:

• A VA Form 26-8937, Verification of VA Benefits, indicating the borrower's exempt status, and
• For Veterans who choose retirement pay instead of VA compensation, a copy of the original VA notification of disability rating, and
• Documentation of the Veteran's service retirement income.

Your lender can help walk you through this process. Once the VA receives the paperwork and approves the exemption, the lender is then notified of your exempt status.

VA Funding Fee Refund

In some cases, a borrower has a disability claim pending and won't automatically receive the exempt status on their Certificate of Eligibility.

If that's the case, expect to pay the VA funding fee at closing. However, once the disability claim status is cleared as exempt, the borrower can recoup the VA funding fee by contacting their original lender or servicer. You can also speak with your Regional VA Loan Center to start the process.