VA Funding Fee Rates (Charts + Calculator)
The VA funding fee is a one-time charge on most VA-backed loans. The rate depends on loan type, and for purchases it also depends on first use vs after first use and down payment tier. Use the charts for the official percentages and the calculator for dollars.
VA-backed purchase & construction loans (official rate chart)
Down payment tiers affect purchase/construction rates. The funding fee is a % of the loan amount (typically purchase price minus down payment).
| Down payment tier | First use | After first use |
|---|---|---|
| Less than 5% | 2.15% | 3.30% |
| 5% or more | 1.50% | 1.50% |
| 10% or more | 1.25% | 1.25% |
If your purchase price is $400,000 with $20,000 down, the fee applies to the $380,000 loan amount.
If your only prior VA loan was to purchase only a manufactured home, VA indicates you may still pay the first‑time rate.
VA-backed cash-out refinance loans (official rate chart)
Cash-out refinance rates don’t change with down payment tiers. They vary only by first vs after first use.
| First use | After first use |
|---|---|
| 2.15% | 3.30% |
For cash-out refi, VA doesn’t use down payment tiers. It’s simply first use vs after first use.
If your only prior VA use was purchasing only a manufactured home, VA indicates you may still pay first-use rates here.
Native American Direct Loan (NADL) + other VA loan types
These rates don’t change based on down payment or first use/after first use (except NADL purchase vs refinance).
| NADL type | Funding fee rate |
|---|---|
| Purchase | 1.25% |
| Refinance | 0.50% |
| Loan type | Funding fee rate |
|---|---|
| IRRRL (VA Streamline refinance) | 0.50% |
| Manufactured home loans (not permanently affixed) | 1.00% |
| Loan assumptions | 0.50% |
| Vendee loan (buying VA-acquired property) | 2.25% |
If you’re doing an IRRRL, the rate is always 0.50% (unless you’re exempt, then it’s 0%).
Rates are percentages. The calculator below converts them into a funding fee amount and shows the difference between paying it at closing vs financing it.
Who is exempt from the VA funding fee (and refunds)
VA says you may not have to pay the funding fee if you meet certain requirements—and some borrowers can qualify for a refund later.
- Receiving VA compensation for a service-connected disability
- Eligible for compensation but receiving retirement/active-duty pay instead
- Receiving DIC as the surviving spouse of a Veteran
- Service member with a proposed/memo rating before closing (pre-discharge claim)
- Active-duty service member with evidence of a Purple Heart on/before closing
You may be eligible for a refund if you’re later awarded service-connected disability compensation retroactive to before your loan closing date.
If your rating is obtained after closing and not retroactive, VA indicates you generally won’t qualify for a refund based on that rating.
Confirm exemption status with your lender and VA documentation before closing. This page is informational and reflects VA’s published guidance and charts.
VA funding fee calculator (rate + dollars)
Enter amounts like $400,000, 350k, or 1.2m. The calculator returns the official rate and estimated fee dollars.
Funding fee is calculated on the loan amount. For purchases, that’s typically purchase price minus down payment.
Downloads (CSV) + cite this dataset
Download CSVs to reuse the official rates in spreadsheets, research, or tools.
VA Loan Network. “VA Funding Fee Rates (Official VA Charts + Calculator).” Verified from VA.gov (effective Apr 7, 2023; VA page updated Apr 4, 2025). https://valoannetwork.com/va-loan/data/funding-fee/
Sources
Primary source used to build these charts, exemptions, and calculator logic.
Rates can change. VA.gov is the authoritative source for the official percent charts and exemption language.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the VA funding fee in 2026?
5 %–9.99 % down → 1.50 % (both first and subsequent).
≥ 10 % down → 1.25 % (both first and subsequent).
Cash-out refinance: same 2.15 % / 3.30 % split.
IRRRL: always 0.50 % (unless exempt → 0 %).
Who is exempt from the VA funding fee?
- Receiving VA service-connected disability compensation
- Entitled to receive compensation but getting retirement/active-duty pay instead
- Eligible surviving spouse receiving DIC
- Purple Heart recipient (active-duty) with evidence on/before closing
- Pre-discharge claim with proposed/memorandum rating before closing
Can I get a refund if I’m awarded disability after closing?
Can the seller pay my funding fee?
Should I pay the fee in cash or finance it?
Finance it → preserves cash today but you pay interest on the fee for the life of the loan.
Use the calculator above to see the exact dollar difference.