Maine VA Loan Requirements 2026
How VA entitlement works in Maine and why full entitlement carries no county loan cap, the 2026 funding fee tables and exemptions, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and the 101st Air Refueling Wing, and MaineHousing’s Salute ME.
VA Loan Eligibility in Maine
VA eligibility is federal and does not vary by state. Your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) shows the entitlement your lender will use.
| Category | Minimum Service |
|---|---|
| Active-duty service members | At least 90 continuous days |
| Veterans | Depends on when you served |
| National Guard | 90 days of non-training Title 10 active duty, or 6 creditable years |
| Reserve | 90 days of non-training active duty, or 6 creditable years in the Selected Reserve |
| Surviving spouses | Receiving or eligible for certain DIC, or spouse of a service member missing in action or held as a prisoner of war |
Full service rules, discharge exceptions and COE requests are on the VA home loan eligibility page.
Maine Military Installations
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery overhauls, repairs and modernizes the U.S. Navy’s nuclear-powered attack submarine fleet, and the Maine Air National Guard’s 101st Air Refueling Wing flies the KC-135 Stratotanker from Bangor. Active-duty members and eligible Guard members qualify for VA loans under the service rules above.
| Installation | Unit or Mission | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Kittery | Overhaul, repair and modernization of Los Angeles and Virginia-class attack submarines | U.S. Navy shipyard |
| Bangor | 101st Air Refueling Wing, Maine Air National Guard | KC-135 Stratotanker |
| Togus VA Medical Center, near Augusta | VA Maine Healthcare System | The first National Home, now VA’s oldest hospital, opened November 1, 1866 |
Sources: Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, the 101st Air Refueling Wing history, the Air National Guard and VA Maine Health Care history.
How VA Entitlement Works in Maine
A VA guaranty lets most eligible buyers purchase with no down payment and no private mortgage insurance. With full entitlement, VA’s bonus entitlement usually covers 25% of the amount a lender is willing to lend, so the county limit does not cap your loan — your lender’s approval does. If part of your entitlement is already in use, your remaining entitlement is based on the county loan limit where you buy.
| Entitlement Status | Does a County Limit Apply? | Down Payment |
|---|---|---|
| Full entitlement | No — the lender’s approval sets the amount | Usually none |
| Partial entitlement | Yes — remaining entitlement is based on the county loan limit | May be required above what your remaining entitlement covers |
| County Group | Conforming Limit (partial entitlement reference) |
|---|---|
| All 16 Maine counties | $832,750 |
VA says its home loan limits are the same as FHFA’s conforming loan limits and that you use the one-unit limit even for a multi-unit property. See VA’s home loan entitlement and limits page. The maximum VA loan on a property is the lower of the appraised value or the purchase price.
Maine VA Loan Requirements
| Requirement | Standard | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Down payment | Usually none with full entitlement | The lender determines the loan amount |
| Credit score | No VA minimum (set by lender) | VA does not require a minimum score |
| Seller concessions | Up to 4% of reasonable value | Seller credits for closing costs are not limited |
| Funding fee | Varies — see below | Waived for exempt borrowers |
| Mortgage insurance | None | No private or monthly mortgage insurance |
2026 VA Funding Fee
The funding fee is a one-time charge on a VA-backed loan. It falls as your down payment rises.
| Down Payment | First Use | Subsequent Use |
|---|---|---|
| Less than 5% | 2.15% | 3.3% |
| 5% or more | 1.5% | 1.5% |
| 10% or more | 1.25% | 1.25% |
| Refinance Type | First Use | Subsequent Use |
|---|---|---|
| Cash-out refinance | 2.15% | 3.3% |
| Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan (IRRRL) | 0.5% | 0.5% |
Who is exempt
- Veterans receiving VA compensation for a service-connected disability
- Veterans eligible for that compensation but receiving retirement or active-duty pay instead
- Surviving spouses receiving Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)
- Service members with a proposed or memorandum rating before closing based on a pre-discharge claim
- Active-duty members who provide evidence of a Purple Heart on or before closing
Veterans with VA disability ratings, surviving spouses receiving DIC, and active-duty Purple Heart recipients are exempt from the funding fee. Cash-out refinance funding fees are 2.15% for first use and 3.30% for subsequent use; IRRRLs carry a 0.5% fee. Confirm current rates at the VA’s official funding fee page.
Pairing a VA Loan with MaineHousing
A VA loan and MaineHousing’s programs are not mutually exclusive. MaineHousing’s First Home Loan can carry a VA guaranty with a 0% down payment, and its Salute ME program gives qualified active duty, veterans and retired military personnel a rate discount whether or not they are first-time home owners.
| MaineHousing Program | How It Works with VA |
|---|---|
| First Home Loan | VA is one of the mortgage insurance options, with 0% down; income and purchase price limits and the three-year first-time rule apply |
| Salute ME | 0.50% discount on the First Home Loan 30-year fixed rate for those who served on active duty for 180 days or within a war zone |
| Advantage | $5,000 toward down payment and closing costs, included with Salute ME; requires a hoMEworks class |
Because a VA loan usually requires no down payment with full entitlement, the $5,000 Advantage is most useful for closing costs. Check current terms at MaineHousing Salute ME.
