Reservists and National Guard troops with a VLB home or home improvement loan may be able to defer interest payments when called up for active duty, thanks to the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA).

This program also lets many Reservists and National Guard members defer their entire monthly payments on VLB land loans, as long as they're on active duty.

  • VLB Home and Home Improvement Loans: Participants pay only the principal portion of their loans and any required escrows for taxes and insurance as long as they're on active duty, plus a three-month grace period following deactivation. For nine months following the grace period, the interest rate will be no more than 6%. After that time, the interest rate and standard payment will return to normal.
  • VLB Land Loans: The entire monthly payment is deferred for most participants; however, for those loans that require escrow payments, the principal and escrow portion of the payment must continue to be paid each month, plus a three-month grace period following deactivation. For nine months following the grace period, regular payments will resume, but the interest rate will be no more than six percent. After that time, the interest rate and standard payment will return to normal. If participants choose to continue principal payments while on active duty or during the three-month grace period, their payments are applied to the principal balance of their loans.

HOW TO APPLY FOR SCRA ASSISTANCE

SCRA Assistance for Land Loans
Eligible Reservists and National Guard members who want to reduce or defer loan payments should send a copy of their orders showing activation date. Remember to include your loan number for proper identification. Send to:
Texas Veterans Land Board
Research Department
1 Corporate Drive
Suite 360
Lake Zurich, IL 60047-8945

SCRA Assistance for Home and Home Improvement Loans
Eligible Reservists and National Guard members who want to reduce loan payments should send a copy of their orders showing activation date to the lending institution to which they make their payments. Remember to include your loan number for proper identification.