520 Credit Score VA Loan
At 520 the VA still sets no minimum. A manual-underwriting lender and a clean recent year keep zero down on the table.
By Onias Derilus, Mortgage Capital · NMLS# 1859012 · Last Updated: June 2026
A 520 credit score does not disqualify you from a VA loan, because the VA leaves the score to lenders. The practical task is matching with a lender that manually underwrites below the common overlays. When the recent file is clean, that approval is real, and it comes with zero down and no monthly mortgage insurance.
Residual Income Carries Weight
VA manual underwriting leans hard on residual income, the money left after your bills each month. A 520 with strong residual income and a clean recent year reads very differently than the number alone suggests.
Recent behavior is what moves the needle here. Twelve on-time months and shrinking balances can turn a borderline 520 into an approvable VA file, and the zero-down benefit makes that worth pursuing.
| Factor | VA at a 520 Score |
|---|---|
| Down Payment | $0 |
| VA Minimum Score | None — overlays vary |
| Key Underwriting Test | Residual income |
| Mortgage Insurance | None |
520 Score VA Loan — FAQ
Not for the VA itself, which sets no minimum. It is below most lender overlays, so you need one that manually underwrites. Strong residual income and a clean recent year make a 520 VA approval realistic.
It is the income left after your monthly obligations. VA manual underwriting weighs it heavily, so a 520 with solid residual income can be approved where a higher score with thin cash flow might not.
A VA Loan With a 520 Score?
Get matched to the right Florida loan for your score · Licensed FL mortgage broker NMLS# 1859012
Rates are illustrative only. APR and payments vary by credit score, loan amount, and market conditions. Subject to credit approval. Not a commitment to lend. NMLS# 1859012. Equal Housing Lender.