However, I feel like the sooner I start, the better, as some of the savings from house hacking (other than creating a rainy day fund for house repairs, of course) can be used to chip away at our student loan burden. 

Are you budgeting for the VA funding fee and rolling that into the loan total?

Are there any lenders who really fund a project before work is started?

Double check that is correct.You might want to reevaluate the amounts you are holding for CapEx and Repairs.  15% together is probably sufficient.  

We can plan on it very low key while presenting details about dissecting deals, how to fund deals, and this will serve as a great tool for networking. 

But is there any restriction regarding UBIT or other aspects if I were to MAKE a participating loan from my 401k funds?

Investing in a moderate risk income fund should be able to achieve a 10% return on average over time.

No one ever need to enroll in a program or buy a product in order to get funding from us.

You may or may not have sufficient primary insurance, but I highly doubt your PERSONAL umbrella policy covers business pursuits, no matter how hands on you are.

I will be slapped with huge capital gains.....I DO NOT WANT TO DO A 1031 Exchange but want to either;1)  Put it in some sort of education fund for my 3 kids?