Homes for Texas Heroes
Home loans for Texas teachers and school staff
Full-time Texas public school teachers, aides, librarians, counselors and school nurses can get up to 5% of the loan for down payment and closing costs.
Who's covered
TSAHC calls this group Professional Educators. It covers full-time public K-12 classroom teachers, teacher aides, school librarians, certified school counselors and school nurses. Your certification is checked through the State Board for Educator Certification lookup, and your lender confirms you work full time.
Private-school employment is not listed as eligible.
Homes for Texas Heroes is a year-round program from the Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation (TSAHC). It pairs a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage with up to 5% of the loan amount for down payment and closing costs, either as a grant you never repay or as a loan forgiven after 3 years. First-time buyers can also add a Mortgage Credit Certificate, a federal tax credit.
School nurses yes, hospital nurses no
School nurses employed full time by a public school qualify as educators. Nurses who work in hospitals, clinics or home health are not a Heroes profession. If that's you, TSAHC's Home Sweet Texas program offers the same 5% help to buyers in any profession who meet its income limit.
Summer pay and income limits
Your lender looks at your annual qualifying income, not just one summer paycheck. For TSAHC's non-bond down payment help without an MCC, only your own qualifying income counts toward the Heroes limit, which TSAHC raised to 170% of area median family income in 2026.
Papers to have on hand
- SBEC certification (your lender checks it through the SBEC lookup)
- Proof of full-time employment with your school district
- Income and asset documents your lender requests
- Homebuyer education certificate before closing
Readers also ask
Do teacher aides qualify?
Yes. Full-time teacher aides are included in TSAHC's Professional Educator category, along with school librarians and certified counselors.
I'm a hospital nurse. Can I use Homes for Texas Heroes?
No. Hospital nurses are not a listed profession. Only full-time public school nurses and full-time nursing faculty qualify. Home Sweet Texas or TDHCA's programs may fit instead.
Do private or charter school teachers qualify?
TSAHC lists public K-12 educators. Private-school employment is not listed as eligible. Ask a participating lender how your specific school is treated.
