More Veterans now eligible for the Native American Direct Loan (NADL)

For the first time, VA has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the Native American Direct Loan (NADL) program with the Cherokee Nation.

The Cherokee Nation is one of the latest tribes to sign an agreement with VA, and this MOU opens the door for Veterans, service members and their spouses to apply for a NADL to buy, build or modify a home on federal trust lands. In addition to offering low interest rates, NADL offers Native American Veterans other benefits, including no private mortgage insurance, no down payments, limited closing costs, the ability to refinance loans and a benefit they can use repeatedly throughout their lives.

Congress established the NADL program in 1992 and, since then, VA has reached agreements with 114 Native American tribes and granted 1,258 loans, amounting to $180 million, to eligible Native American Veteran homeowners.

“Native Americans serve in our nation’s Armed Forces in higher numbers and they deserve to reap the benefits of their sacrifices,” said Executive Director of VA’s Loan Guaranty Service, John E. Bell, III.

VA is committed to partnering with Native American tribes throughout the nation and informing Native American Veterans, service members and their spouses of this and other available benefits. For additional questions about the NADL program, including eligibility criteria, contact a NADL coordinator by email at NADL@va.gov or by phone at 888-349-7541 (TTY: 711).

More information on the NADL program can be found online at VA’s website.

Native American Veterans can also use the VA-Guaranteed Home Loan Program on non-federal trust land. More information on the VA-Guaranteed Home Loan Program can be found at VA’s Home Loan site.