Ohio down payment assistance, with the 2026 rules instead of old internet numbers.
OHFA DPA, Ohio Heroes, Grants for Grads, Next Home, Columbus local assistance and national programs—with minimum FICO and forgiveness rules.
Reviewed September 11, 2026 • Joshua Dobson, NMLS #190260
Quick comparison
| Program | Potential assistance | Published min. FICO | Repayment/Forgiveness | Biggest catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OHFA Down Payment Assistance | 3% conventional / 3.5% FHA, VA, USDA | 640 conv/VA/USDA; 650 FHA | 0% second; forgiven after 7 years | Sale/refi in first 7 years can trigger full repayment; first-mortgage rate is higher with DPA. |
| Ohio Heroes | Same OHFA DPA menu when selected | 640 or 650 by loan type | Same 7-year DPA rule | Occupation eligibility; value is also the discounted first-mortgage rate. |
| Grants for Grads | 3% conventional / 3.5% government | 640 or 650 by loan type | Forgiven after 5 years if borrower remains in Ohio | Must have graduated within 18 months and be first-time buyer. |
| Next Home | 3% conventional / 3.5% government when DPA selected | 640 or 650 by loan type | 7-year DPA rule | Designed for repeat buyers; income/purchase limits and education still apply. |
| Columbus ADDI | Lesser of 6% of price or $7,500 in published City materials | First-mortgage/program specific | 5-year forgivable loan | First-time buyer, City eligibility, income/assets and current funding. |
| National programs | Varies | Product/lender specific | Varies | Compare full first + second mortgage economics. |
OHFA Down Payment Assistance
The Ohio Housing Finance Agency's current DPA program provides exactly 3% of the purchase price for conventional loans or 3.5% for FHA, VA and USDA government loans. Funds may be used toward the down payment, closing costs, prepaid items and other eligible pre-closing expenses.
Published minimum FICO: 640 for conventional, VA and USDA; 650 for FHA.
The assistance is a 0% second loan with a seven-year term. OHFA's current guidelines say the obligation is forgiven on the seventh anniversary. If the property is sold or refinanced during the first seven years, the assistance is generally due in full.
Ohio Heroes
Ohio Heroes provides a discounted OHFA first-mortgage interest rate for eligible Ohioans in defined public-service occupations. Current OHFA materials include veterans and active-duty/reserve military, police, firefighters (including volunteer firefighters), EMTs/paramedics, doctors, nurses and qualifying pre-K through 12 teachers, administrators and counselors. Current lender guidelines also contain specific occupational definitions that must be verified.
Heroes borrowers may pair the program with OHFA DPA when eligible—currently 3% conventional or 3.5% government.
Published minimum FICO: 640 conventional/VA/USDA; 650 FHA.
Grants for Grads
Grants for Grads is for qualified first-time homebuyers who graduated within the previous 18 months with an eligible associate's, bachelor's, master's, doctorate or other post-graduate degree from an accredited institution.
Current OHFA materials show the same DPA amounts: 3% conventional or 3.5% government. The key difference is the forgiveness structure: OHFA says that if the buyer remains in Ohio for the first five years, the DPA does not have to be repaid—even if the borrower sells or refinances the property during that period, subject to current program rules.
Published minimum FICO: follows the current OHFA loan requirement—640 conventional/VA/USDA; 650 FHA.
Next Home
OHFA's Next Home program provides 30-year fixed-rate financing for Ohio buyers who are not first-time homebuyers. It can be used with eligible FHA, VA, USDA-RD and conventional financing and can be paired with OHFA DPA.
Published minimum FICO: 640 conventional/VA/USDA; 650 FHA. Income and purchase-price limits apply, and OHFA requires homebuyer education even for borrowers using Next Home.
Traditional OHFA First-Time Homebuyer Program
OHFA's traditional program generally requires that the buyer have had no ownership interest in a principal residence during the previous three years. OHFA also recognizes exceptions for honorably discharged veterans and buyers purchasing in designated target areas.
County-specific household income and purchase-price limits apply. Homebuyer education is generally required.
Columbus has an additional local DPA layer
American Dream Downpayment Initiative (ADDI)
City of Columbus program materials describe ADDI assistance for eligible first-time buyers purchasing within the City's eligible geography. Published City materials describe assistance as the lesser of 6% of the purchase price or $7,500, structured as a forgivable loan with a five-year primary-residence requirement.
Current City materials require an eligible fixed-rate first mortgage, homebuyer education, borrower contribution and income/asset qualification. Conventional, FHA, USDA, VA and eligible renovation financing can be permitted under the City's published guidelines.
Published minimum FICO: the City does not establish one universal public score across every eligible first mortgage, so Mortgage Navigator labels it first-mortgage/program specific.
National programs Ohio buyers should also check
National Homebuyers Fund
NHF multi-state assistance should be compared against OHFA and local programs. Exact FICO, first-mortgage pricing and repayment/forgiveness depend on the current participating-lender product.
Chenoa Fund
Chenoa Fund provides FHA DPA through approved lender partners and Ohio is within its stated footprint. Current matrices control credit, pricing and second-mortgage terms.
Ohio's biggest DPA lesson
Ohio is a perfect example of why our site should show the cost of the DPA, not just the DPA amount. As of September 10, 2026, OHFA's own rate sheet showed higher first-mortgage rates when DPA was selected than when the same basic program was used without assistance. Rates change daily, so we don't hardcode those rates as permanent—but the comparison is essential.
Mortgage Navigator therefore compares assistance amount + published FICO + first-mortgage rate + forgiveness clock + refinance rules + special occupation/graduate eligibility + local programs.
Let Josh compare DPA against the no-DPA rate.
Send the city/ZIP, purchase price, credit range, occupation, graduation date (if applicable) and first-time-buyer status. Those details can change both eligibility and the economics.