Managing Your HELOC

On a HELOC, the interest is calculated using the following formula:

Average daily balance * interest rate / 365.25 * number of days in the billing cycle

The average daily balance can be located on your monthly billing statement. Your interest rate is equal to the Prime Rate plus a margin, which can be found in the terms of your Note. The Prime Rate fluctuates and can either increase or decrease your total HELOC interest rate, but your margin won't change. When the Prime Rate changes, it would show on your bill in 2 months, because HELOC interest is paid in arrears. For example, if the Prime Rate changes in May, it takes effect for June and would show on your July bill.

Funds are applied to your HELOC based on the time of the month they're received. If we receive the funds after the current bill has been paid and before the next bill has been generated, they'll be applied to the principal balance of the HELOC. If funds are received after the next bill is generated, the payment will be applied toward the bill. HELOC bills typically generate on the fifth of each month or earlier, if the fifth isn't a business day.

You may make a HELOC advance online by following these steps:

1. Sign in to online banking.
2. Click the “Transfers” tab.
3. Select “Make a Transfer.”
4. Select “HELOC” as the account to transfer funds from.
5. Select your checking account to receive the transferred funds.
6. Input the amount.
7. Click “Continue.”
8. Review and close the Transfer Posting Times notice.
9. Confirm the transfer was successful via the green banner at the top of the next screen. Click “Done.”

You can also make an advance by writing a check, using your HELOC credit card or submitting a signed, written request to us through online banking or by mail at P.O. Box 3300, Merrifield, VA 22119.

In order to pay down or pay off a HELOC loan, you must request a quote. Please contact the Mortgage Servicing Support Department at 1-800-531-7174, ext. 43434, option 2, to obtain a quote. 

A paydown is when the HELOC is paid to a zero balance, but it remains open for future use. A payoff is when the entire balance and fees are paid, the HELOC is closed, the lien is released and the credit line cannot be used again in the future.

A HELOC may be frozen for a few different reasons. When we freeze a HELOC, we'll mail a letter detailing the reason for the freeze to the address on file. If you have additional questions, please contact the Collateral Risk Department by phone at 1-800-243-9334, option 5, by email to Collateral_Risk@navyfederal.org or by signing in to your Navy Federal account to send us an eMessage. To unfreeze your HELOC, all borrowers on the loan must submit a written request to initiate the freeze appeal and review process.

The draw period is the time during which you may advance funds from the HELOC. For standard HELOCs, the monthly payment during the draw period is the greater of 1% of the new statement balance or $100.00. For interest-only HELOCs, the payment during the draw period only includes the monthly interest charge. The repayment period begins once the draw period ends. During this time, advances are no longer allowed, and you'll make monthly payments until the loan is paid in full or the maturity date is reached. For standard HELOCs, the payment is 2.5% of the balance during the repayment period. For interest-only HELOCs, the payment is 1.75% during this time. At the maturity date, any remaining balance on the HELOC must be paid in full.