Down Payment Assistance — Buyer Questions Answered

Straight answers to the questions first-time buyers actually ask — each with a real computed number and a free calculator, no email required. Start here, then run your own numbers.

As of Q1 2026 there are 2,679 down payment assistance programs in the U.S., and 77% are active and funded (source: Down Payment Resource, Q1 2026 program count). Most cover part or all of the 3% conventional or 3.5% FHA minimum down payment.

Can I use down payment assistance with an FHA loan?Yes — FHA is the loan most often paired with down payment assistance. Here is how the math works and how much a program could cover.
Can I get down payment assistance with a 620 credit score?620 is the credit floor most state DPA programs use. Here is what you qualify for at 620 and how much house that supports.
Do you have to pay back down payment assistance?It depends on the program type — grant, deferred, or forgivable. Here is the difference, with real state examples.
How much income do you need for down payment assistance?DPA programs use income limits, not minimums — you can earn too much, rarely too little. Here is how the ceiling and affordability interact.
Can I buy a house with almost no money down using assistance?Down payment assistance can shrink your out-of-pocket down payment to nearly zero. Here is the math on a real example.
Down payment assistance vs. saving up: which gets you a home faster?Assistance can compress years of saving into a program application. Here is the time-to-goal math side by side.

Down payment assistance, answered