d. Processing Time

Again, it is very important that the request for a COE be the first step in the loan process for a veteran who does not already have a COE.

VA will make every effort to process requests for a COE in a timely manner.

23.                ·   Most can be processed within 7 days of receipt.

24.                ·   Cases for which the applicant does not clearly meet the basic eligibility criteria will usually require additional development and longer processing time.

25.                 

Example:  A case involving an applicant who received an “other than honorable” discharge may require VA to request discharge records from the appropriate service department.

e. ACE (Automated Certificate of Eligibility)

ACE allows lenders to input data about a specific veteran-borrower and obtain an eligibility determination on most cases in a matter of seconds from the Internet.

ACE eliminates completing VA Form 26-1880, Request for a Certificate of Eligibility, mailing it to an Eligibility Center and waiting for a reply by mail.  

f. Security Monitoring

The ACE application is intended for use by lenders who have the veteran’s permission to obtain an eligibility determination for them.  The use of the system will be monitored for security and administrative purposes and accessing the system constitutes consent to such monitoring.