Yes, You Can Use Down Payment Assistance With Your VA Loan

Every November, we celebrate Veterans Day and Military Family Appreciation Month, a time to honor those who have served our country and the families who support them. One of the most powerful ways to recognize that service is by helping more veterans achieve the dream of homeownership.

If you’ve served in the military, you’ve likely heard about the VA home loan. But did you know you can also combine a VA loan with down payment assistance (DPA) to save even more?

Let’s explore how these programs work together to make buying a home more affordable and accessible.

What Makes the VA Loan So Special

The VA loan, backed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, offers big advantages for eligible service members, veterans, and surviving spouses:

• No down payment required
• No private mortgage insurance (PMI)
• Flexible credit guidelines

These benefits make homeownership possible for many who might otherwise struggle to qualify. But even with a VA loan, you’ll still have closing costs, prepaid expenses, and other upfront fees. That’s where down payment assistance can make a real difference.

What Is Down Payment Assistance (DPA)?

Down payment assistance programs provide extra financial help for qualified homebuyers. These programs come in several forms:

• Grants that never need to be repaid
• Forgivable loans that are forgiven after you stay in the home for a certain time
• Deferred loans that you repay only when you sell or refinance

DPA funds can help cover closing costs, rate buydowns, agent commissions, or even serve as a financial cushion for unexpected expenses after move-in.

How Many Programs Are Out There?

According to Down Payment Resource’s Q3 2025 Homeownership Program Index, there are now a record 2,624 homebuyer assistance programs nationwide. Of those, 49 programs (about 24%) are designed specifically for military veterans, and that number keeps growing.

Many of these veteran-focused programs go even further by offering:

• Higher income limits
• Waived first-time buyer requirements
• Larger grant amounts or loan forgiveness options

That means you could qualify for more help than you think, even if you’ve owned a home before.

How to Find Assistance Programs in Your Area

Searching for available programs is easy. You can use our search tool to find options by city, county, or ZIP code.

Each listing includes details like:

• Income and purchase price limits
• Eligibility rules
• Program types and benefits
• Whether it’s open to veterans or active-duty service members

When you review programs, take note of the fine print and don’t hesitate to ask questions. Some programs require you to live in the home as your primary residence, while others forgive the assistance after a certain number of years. Understanding these details upfront helps you plan ahead.

First-Time or Repeat Buyer? You May Still Qualify

Here’s something that surprises a lot of people: nearly 1,000 programs nationwide (38%) are open to repeat buyers, and 1,628 (62%) support first-time buyers.

Even better, many programs waive the “first-time buyer” rule for veterans, so you could qualify even if you’ve owned a home in the past three years.

Working With the Right Lender

Not every lender has experience combining VA loans with DPA funds, so it’s important to find one who does. When talking with lenders, ask:

• Do you work with VA loans and down payment assistance programs?
• Are you approved to work with my state or local housing finance agency?
• How do you handle timing and paperwork for DPA funds?

A knowledgeable VA lender will help coordinate the process so your assistance funds arrive on time, and everything goes smoothly at closing.

Turning Service Into Stability

Combining a VA loan with down payment assistance takes a little extra planning, but it can help you save thousands, lower your monthly payment, and make homeownership more attainable.

This Veterans Day and beyond, let’s make sure every service member and veteran has access to the benefits they’ve earned. Because owning a home isn’t just about having a place to live, it’s about building a foundation for your future.

Ready to explore your options? Find down payment programs in your area today and see if you’re eligible!