VA Loan Credit Score Requirements in 2026
The VA doesn't set a minimum credit score — lenders do. Here's the real floor, what pushes rates up, and how to fix the middle score.
The real minimum
The VA itself sets no minimum credit score. Every lender does. Most VA lenders draw the line at 580–620. A handful, us included, will look at files down to 560 with compensating factors.
The 'middle score' from the tri-merge (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) is what qualifies — not the highest and not the lowest.
What actually moves your rate
Credit tier bands widen roughly every 20 points. A 720+ borrower prices meaningfully better than a 660. Below 620 the pricing hits sharpen fast.
DTI, LTV, and loan purpose (purchase vs. refi vs. cash-out) also shift pricing — credit isn't the only lever.
Fixing the middle score in 90 days
Pay every revolving account below 30% of its limit. Dispute inaccurate lates. Ask a family member with a strong seasoned card to add you as an authorized user. These moves alone can lift a middle score 30–60 points in one cycle.
If you're 24+ months out from a bankruptcy or foreclosure, we can usually work the file. Our Rebuild program is built for exactly this.
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