Nebraska offers 14 down payment assistance programs to help homebuyers cover their down payment and closing costs. This includes 2 grant programs that never require repayment. Programs range from statewide options administered by the state housing finance agency to local city and county programs targeting specific communities.
Maximum assistance available reaches $50,000 through the most generous program. Most programs require the home to be your primary residence, and many require homebuyer education.
Top Down Payment Assistance Programs in Nebraska
Highlighted programs that combine high assistance amounts with statewide or major-metro availability. See the full list below.
Down Payment Assistance
openNeighborWorks Lincoln
$50,000
First Time Homebuyer program
openNeighborWorks Lincoln
$35,000
NENEDD Direct Homebuyer Assistance
verifyNortheast Nebraska Economic Development District (NENEDD)
20% of purchase cost (max UP TO $30,000 (20% of purchase cost))
Lincoln NeighborWorks DPA
openNeighborWorks Lincoln
UP TO $20,000
Homeownership Assistance
openNeighborWorks Northeast Nebraska
$20,000
Grant Programs (2)
Grants are the gold standard of down payment assistance. You receive the money and never have to pay it back.
Down Payment Assistance
Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde - Housing
Eligibility Snapshot
- First-Time Buyer
- Yes
- Income Limit
- Not specified
- Min Credit Score
- Not specified
- Property Types
- Single-Family, Condominium, Townhouse/PUD
- Max Price
- Not specified
Quick Facts
- Loan Types
- Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, FHA, VA, USDA-RD +1
- Assistance Type
- grant
- Profession
- All
- Homebuyer Ed.
- Yes
Down Payment Assistance Program
Northern Ponca Housing Authority
Eligibility Snapshot
- First-Time Buyer
- No
- Income Limit
- Not specified
- Min Credit Score
- Not specified
- Property Types
- Single-Family, Condominium, Townhouse/PUD, Modular
- Max Price
- Not specified
Quick Facts
- Loan Types
- Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, FHA, VA, USDA-RD +4
- Assistance Type
- grant
- Profession
- All
- Homebuyer Ed.
- Yes
Deferred Payment Loans (11)
Deferred loans require no monthly payments while you live in the home. You repay when you sell, refinance, or move out.
Down Payment Assistance
NeighborWorks Lincoln
Eligibility Snapshot
- First-Time Buyer
- Yes
- Income Limit
- Not specified
- Min Credit Score
- Not specified
- Property Types
- Single-Family, Townhouse/PUD, Condominium
- Max Price
- $247,000
Quick Facts
- Loan Types
- Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, FHA, VA, USDA-RD, HUD +2, USDA-RD +1
- Assistance Type
- deferred loan
- Profession
- All
- Homebuyer Ed.
- Yes
Repayment Terms
Deferred Payment - Repayable at sale or refinance
First Time Homebuyer program
NeighborWorks Lincoln
Eligibility Snapshot
- First-Time Buyer
- Yes
- Income Limit
- Not specified
- Min Credit Score
- Not specified
- Property Types
- Single-Family, Condominium, Townhouse/PUD
- Max Price
- $238,165
Quick Facts
- Loan Types
- Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, FHA, VA, USDA-RD +1
- Assistance Type
- deferred loan
- Profession
- All
- Homebuyer Ed.
- Yes
Interest Rate
None
Repayment Terms
Deferred Payment - Repayable at sale or refinance
NENEDD Direct Homebuyer Assistance
Northeast Nebraska Economic Development District (NENEDD)
Eligibility Snapshot
- First-Time Buyer
- Not specified
- Income Limit
- Not specified
- Min Credit Score
- Not specified
- Property Types
- Not specified
- Max Price
- Not specified
Quick Facts
- Loan Types
- Not specified
- Assistance Type
- deferred loan
- Profession
- all
- Homebuyer Ed.
- Not specified
Repayment Terms
0% deferred loan
Lincoln NeighborWorks DPA
NeighborWorks Lincoln
Eligibility Snapshot
- First-Time Buyer
- Yes
- Income Limit
- 80% AMI
- Min Credit Score
- Not specified
- Property Types
- Not specified
- Max Price
- Not specified
Quick Facts
- Loan Types
- Not specified
- Assistance Type
- deferred loan
- Profession
- all
- Homebuyer Ed.
- Not specified
Repayment Terms
0% deferred loan
Homeownership Assistance
NeighborWorks Northeast Nebraska
Eligibility Snapshot
- First-Time Buyer
- No
- Income Limit
- Not specified
- Min Credit Score
- Not specified
- Property Types
- Single-Family, Condominium, Townhouse/PUD
- Max Price
- Not specified
Quick Facts
- Loan Types
- Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, FHA, VA, USDA-RD +1
- Assistance Type
- deferred loan
- Profession
- All
- Homebuyer Ed.
- Yes
Interest Rate
None
Repayment Terms
Deferred Payment - Repayable at sale or refinance
First Home Program
Nebraska Investment Finance Authority (NIFA)
Eligibility Snapshot
- First-Time Buyer
- Yes
- Income Limit
- Income and purchase price limits apply
- Min Credit Score
- Not specified
- Property Types
- Not specified
- Max Price
- Not specified
Quick Facts
- Loan Types
- Not specified
- Assistance Type
- deferred loan
- Profession
- all
- Homebuyer Ed.
- Not specified
Repayment Terms
Standard mortgage terms at competitive rates
Western Nebraska HPCDC DPA
High Plains Community Development Corporation (HPCDC)
Eligibility Snapshot
- First-Time Buyer
- Yes
- Income Limit
- Not specified
- Min Credit Score
- Not specified
- Property Types
- Not specified
- Max Price
- Not specified
Quick Facts
- Loan Types
- Not specified
- Assistance Type
- deferred loan
- Profession
- all
- Homebuyer Ed.
- Not specified
Repayment Terms
Deferred loan
Build Home
Nebraska Investment Finance Authority
Eligibility Snapshot
- First-Time Buyer
- Yes
- Income Limit
- Not specified
- Min Credit Score
- Not specified
- Property Types
- Single-Family, Townhouse/PUD, Condominium, 2 units, 3 units, 4 units
- Max Price
- $948,500
Quick Facts
- Loan Types
- Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, FHA, VA, USDA-RD +4
- Assistance Type
- deferred loan
- Profession
- All
- Homebuyer Ed.
- Not specified
Interest Rate
1%
Repayment Terms
Deferred Payment - Repayment at sales or finance
Welcome Home Program
Nebraska Investment Finance Authority
Eligibility Snapshot
- First-Time Buyer
- Yes
- Income Limit
- Not specified
- Min Credit Score
- Not specified
- Property Types
- Single-Family, Townhouse/PUD, Condominium, 2 units
- Max Price
- $607,000
Quick Facts
- Loan Types
- Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, FHA, VA, USDA-RD +4, USDA-RD +3, USDA-RD +1
- Assistance Type
- deferred loan
- Profession
- All
- Homebuyer Ed.
- Yes
Repayment Terms
Deferred Payment - Repayment at sales or finance
Chenoa Fund FHA Down Payment Assistance Forgivable
CBC Mortgage Agency (Chenoa Fund)
Eligibility Snapshot
- First-Time Buyer
- No
- Income Limit
- Not specified
- Min Credit Score
- Not specified
- Property Types
- Single-Family, 2 units, Leasehold, Condominium, Townhouse/PUD, Manufactured
- Max Price
- $766,550
Quick Facts
- Loan Types
- FHA
- Assistance Type
- deferred loan
- Profession
- All
- Homebuyer Ed.
- Yes
Chenoa Fund FHA Down Payment Assistance Repayable
CBC Mortgage Agency (Chenoa Fund)
Eligibility Snapshot
- First-Time Buyer
- No
- Income Limit
- Not specified
- Min Credit Score
- Not specified
- Property Types
- Single-Family, 2 units, Leasehold, Condominium, Townhouse/PUD, Manufactured
- Max Price
- $766,550
Quick Facts
- Loan Types
- FHA
- Assistance Type
- deferred loan
- Profession
- All
- Homebuyer Ed.
- Yes
Interest Rate
Note rate 1% above the first mortgage note rate
Repayment Terms
This loan does require a monthly payment on the second mortgage.
Second Mortgages (1)
These programs provide DPA as a second mortgage, sometimes with monthly payments, sometimes deferred.
NIFA Homebuyer Assistance Program
Nebraska Investment Finance Authority (NIFA)
Eligibility Snapshot
- First-Time Buyer
- Yes
- Income Limit
- Not specified
- Min Credit Score
- Not specified
- Property Types
- Not specified
- Max Price
- Not specified
Quick Facts
- Loan Types
- Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, FHA, VA, USDA-RD +4
- Assistance Type
- second mortgage
- Profession
- all
- Homebuyer Ed.
- Not specified
How to Apply for Down Payment Assistance in Nebraska
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1
Check Your Eligibility
Use our free eligibility tool to see which programs match your situation. Enter your state, city, income, and target home price.
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2
Contact the Program Administrator
Each program has its own application process. Visit the program website or call the administering agency to get started. Many programs work through approved lenders.
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3
Get Pre-Approved with a Participating Lender
Not every lender participates in every DPA program. Work with a lender who is approved for the programs you want. The program administrator can provide a list of approved lenders.
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4
Complete Homebuyer Education (If Required)
Many programs require a HUD-approved homebuyer education course. Online options through eHome America and Framework are accepted by most programs.
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5
Close & Move In
DPA funds are typically disbursed at closing alongside your first mortgage. Your lender coordinates the DPA program paperwork as part of the loan process.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Nebraska?
Up to $50,000 through available programs in Nebraska. Multiple programs can often be combined for even more assistance. The exact amount depends on your income, location, and the specific program requirements.
Do I need to be a first-time homebuyer?
Not always. 4 programs in Nebraska are open to repeat buyers. "First-time buyer" is typically defined as not having owned a home in the past three years.
What credit score do I need?
Requirements vary by program. Most require a credit score of at least 620-660.
Can I combine multiple DPA programs?
In many cases, yes. Some programs are specifically designed to be layered with others. For example, you might combine a state grant with a local deferred loan. Check with each program administrator about stacking eligibility.
DPA Programs in Nearby States
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