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The Brief · Policy Watch

VA funding fee rates hold steady for 2026. Full table inside

Filed Sep 19, 2026Last updated Sep 19, 2026Briefing format · sourced
BLUF

BLUF: VA home loan funding fee rates are unchanged for 2026 — first-use purchase with less than 5% down stays at 2.15%, subsequent use at 3.30%, IRRRL at 0.50%.

The Facts

The funding fee schedule set in 2023 carries into 2026 without change. Purchase and construction loans: first use 2.15% under 5% down, 1.50% at 5–10%, 1.25% at 10% or more; subsequent use 3.30% under 5% down, with the same reduced tiers above that. Cash-out refinance: 2.15% first use, 3.30% after. The IRRRL streamline stays flat at 0.50%.

What It Means For You

The fee is charged on the loan amount and can be financed. Exemption still saves the most money of any line item: a 10%+ service-connected rating, DIC surviving spouses, and active-duty Purple Heart recipients pay $0 — commonly a $4,300–$10,000 difference.

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02 · The facts

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03 · What it means for you

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04 · What to do

Concrete steps, or a plain statement that no action is required.

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