Are there special mortgage programs for nurses?

Yes, there are several special mortgage programs for nurses in 2026: 1) Homes for Heroes — offers 0.125% rate discount, $500 closing credit, and realtor rebates to all healthcare workers including nurses. 2) Nurse Next Door — provides up to $25,000 in down payment grants specifically for nurses (RN, LPN, NP, CRNA, travel nurses). 3) HUD Good Neighbor Next Door — offers 50% off the home price for nurses who buy in HUD-designated revitalization areas and commit to living there for 3 years. 4) State healthcare worker programs — many states (CA, TX, FL, NY, IL, GA, NC) offer DPA grants of $5,000-$35,000 for nurses. 5) Lender-specific programs — Rocket Mortgage, Guaranteed Rate, U.S. Bank, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Chase all offer nurse-specific benefits including rate discounts, grants, and reduced closing costs. Nurses can stack multiple programs for $15,000-$35,000+ in total savings.

How much can a nurse save with special mortgage programs?

A nurse can save $15,000-$35,000+ by stacking nurse-specific mortgage programs. Example on a $300,000 home: 1) Homes for Heroes 0.125% rate discount saves $8,400 in interest over 30 years, 2) Nurse Next Door $10,000 grant covers down payment and reduces cash to close, 3) Lender closing cost credit $500-$7,500 reduces upfront costs, 4) State DPA program $5,000-$35,000 (varies by state) provides additional down payment assistance. Total savings: $18,780-$53,400 depending on programs stacked. On a $400,000 home, savings increase to $25,000-$70,000+. The key is to stack multiple programs — combine a national program (Homes for Heroes or Nurse Next Door) with a state program and a lender discount. Not all programs can be stacked, so check with your lender about compatibility.

Can travel nurses get a mortgage?

Yes, travel nurses can get a mortgage, but it requires careful planning because travel nurse income can be variable. Lenders typically look at: 1) Base rate income (not stipends) — most lenders use the base hourly rate from your contract, not the housing/meals stipends which are non-taxable. 2) 2-year income history — lenders want to see 2 years of tax returns showing consistent nursing income. 3) Current contract — you need an active travel nurse contract showing your base rate. 4) Employment gap explanation — if you have gaps between contracts, you need to explain them. Best lenders for travel nurses: New American Funding (Non-QM options for variable income, bank statement loans), Guaranteed Rate (experienced with travel nurse income, jumbo loans for higher earners), and Rocket Mortgage (Homes for Heroes discount for healthcare workers). Travel nurses should get pre-qualified before starting a new contract to show lenders stable income.

What credit score do nurses need for a mortgage?

Nurses need a minimum credit score of 580 for FHA loans and 620 for conventional loans to qualify for most nurse mortgage programs. However, higher credit scores unlock better rates and more program options: 580+ — FHA loans with 3.5% down (Rocket Mortgage, Guaranteed Rate, New American Funding), 620+ — Conventional loans with 3% down + nurse program grants, 640+ — Bank of America and U.S. Bank nurse programs with $10K grants, 680+ — Best rates and terms, access to all nurse programs, 740+ — Lowest possible rates, maximum savings. If your credit score is below 620, focus on improving it before applying. Pay down credit card balances, dispute any errors on your credit report, and avoid new credit applications. Even a 20-point increase can save thousands over the life of the loan.

Can a nurse with student loans get a mortgage?

Yes, nurses with student loans can get a mortgage. Lenders handle student loans differently depending on the loan type: 1) Conventional loans — use 1% of the student loan balance or the actual payment amount (whichever is higher) for DTI calculation. If your loans are in forbearance or deferment, lenders typically use 1% of the balance. 2) FHA loans — use 1% of the balance or the actual payment (including IBR/ICR payments). If the payment is $0, FHA uses 0.5% of the balance. 3) VA loans — if the student loan is deferred for 12+ months, it can be excluded from DTI. Otherwise, use 5% of the balance or actual payment. 4) Physician/nurse practitioner loans — some specialized programs exclude student loans from DTI entirely if they are in IBR. The key: get your student loans into an income-driven repayment plan before applying for a mortgage to lower your DTI.

What is the Nurse Next Door program?

The Nurse Next Door program is a national down payment assistance program specifically for nurses. It provides up to $25,000 in grants that can be used for down payment and closing costs. Key details: 1) Eligibility — all nurses including RN, LPN, NP, CRNA, CNS, and travel nurses, 2) Grant amount — up to $25,000 depending on location and income, 3) Forgiveness — the grant is typically forgiven after 3-5 years of living in the home as your primary residence, 4) Income limits — some programs have income limits (typically 80% AMI), but many have no income limits, 5) Loan types — works with FHA, conventional, and VA loans, 6) How to apply — visit NurseNextDoor.org, complete the application, and get matched with a partner lender. The Nurse Next Door program can be stacked with Homes for Heroes (0.125% rate discount) and state healthcare worker programs for maximum savings.

Do nurses get discounted mortgage rates?

Yes, nurses can get discounted mortgage rates through several programs: 1) Homes for Heroes — 0.125% rate discount for all healthcare workers including nurses. On a $300,000 loan, this saves $8,400 in interest over 30 years. 2) Better.com — 0.125% healthcare worker discount on conventional and FHA loans. 3) Guaranteed Rate — 0.125% rate discount + $500 closing credit for nurses. 4) State programs — some state healthcare worker programs (TX Hero Loan, NY SONYMA) offer below-market rates that can be 0.25-0.50% lower than market. 5) Lender-specific discounts — some lenders offer promotional rate discounts for healthcare workers during certain periods. To get the best rate: sign up for Homes for Heroes (free), get pre-qualified with 3+ lenders, and compare the total cost (rate + grants + credits) rather than just the rate alone. A 0.125% discount on a $400,000 loan saves $11,200 over 30 years.

Can new graduate nurses get a mortgage?

Yes, new graduate nurses can get a mortgage, but there are some considerations: 1) Employment history — most lenders want 2 years of employment history, but new grads can use their nursing school as part of their history. Provide your diploma, NCLEX passing results, and new employment contract. 2) Income — lenders use your new nursing salary (not school income). Provide your employment offer letter or first few pay stubs. 3) Student loans — new grads often have significant student loan debt. Get your loans into IBR before applying to lower your DTI. 4) Credit score — new grads should have 620+ credit. If you do not have much credit history, consider a co-borrower (parent) or FHA loan (580+ credit). Best lenders for new grad nurses: Rocket Mortgage (Homes for Heroes, 3% down), Better.com (digital, 3% down, healthcare discount), and Wells Fargo (HomeReady 3% down + NeighborhoodLIFT grant). New grad nurses can also use Nurse Next Door for up to $25K in grants.

Can nurse practitioners get jumbo loans?

Yes, nurse practitioners can get jumbo loans. Nurse practitioners typically earn $120,000-$180,000/year, which qualifies them for higher loan amounts. Jumbo loan options for NPs: 1) Guaranteed Rate — jumbo loans up to $3M with 5% down (10% down above $1.5M), 5.875% starting rate, 680+ credit. 2) U.S. Bank — jumbo up to $2M+ with 10% down, 6.000% rate, 700+ credit. 3) Bank of America — jumbo up to $2M+ with 10% down, 6.000% rate, 700+ credit. 4) Wells Fargo — jumbo up to $2M+ with 10% down, 6.000% rate, 680+ credit. 5) Chase — jumbo up to $2M+ with 10% down, 6.125% rate, 680+ credit. NPs should also check if they qualify for physician mortgage loans — some lenders (Bank of America, SunTrust) accept NPs with a DNP degree. These offer 0% down up to $750K and no PMI.

How do I stack nurse mortgage programs for maximum savings?

Stacking nurse mortgage programs can save $15,000-$35,000+. Here is how to stack effectively: 1) Start with Homes for Heroes (free signup) — gets you 0.125% rate discount + $500 closing credit + realtor rebate. 2) Apply for Nurse Next Door — up to $25,000 in down payment grants. 3) Check your state healthcare worker program — CA ($15K), TX (5% DPA), FL ($35K), NY ($15K), IL ($10K), GA ($7.5K), NC ($8K). 4) Choose a lender from our top 10 that offers nurse-specific benefits — Rocket Mortgage (Homes for Heroes partner), Guaranteed Rate (0.125% discount + $500 credit), U.S. Bank ($10K American Dream grant). 5) Get pre-qualified with 3+ lenders and compare total cost (rate + grants + credits). 6) Confirm with your lender that programs can be stacked — some grants have restrictions on combining with other programs. 7) Use the grant for down payment, the rate discount for monthly savings, and the closing credit for upfront savings. Total stacked savings on a $300K home: $18,780-$53,400 depending on programs available in your state.

Home>Blog>MORTGAGE

MORTGAGE22 min read2026-08-15

Sarah Mitchell

Senior Mortgage Advisor & Editor-in-Chief · NMLS #1874256, CFP

Mortgage for Nurses 2026: Top 10 Lenders Compared (Nurse Home Buying Programs)

Rates Updated: June 27, 2026

Nurses are the backbone of the healthcare system, and several mortgage lenders recognize that with special programs offering grants up to $25,000, rate discounts of 0.125-0.25%, and reduced closing costs. Whether you are an RN, LPN, travel nurse, or nurse practitioner, there are mortgage programs designed specifically for healthcare heroes. In 2026, with mortgage rates at 5.875-7.250%, nurse-specific programs can save you $15,000-$30,000 over the life of your loan. We compared the top 10 mortgage lenders for nurses and ranked them based on nurse-specific benefits, grant amounts, rate discounts, loan types, and customer satisfaction. From Homes for Heroes to Nurse Next Door to state-level healthcare worker programs, this guide covers every option available to nurses buying a home in 2026. [cta:Compare today's best nurse mortgage rates|mortgage]

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Top 10 Mortgage Lenders for Nurses 2026: Side-by-Side Comparison

We compared the 10 best nurse-friendly mortgage lenders across 8 critical factors: starting rate, nurse-specific discount, grant amount, loan types, down payment, min credit score, DTI flexibility, and special features.

All 10 lenders offer FHA, conventional, and VA loans. The key differentiator is nurse-specific benefits like rate discounts and grants. Compare nurse mortgage lenders

Rank	Lender	Starting Rate	Nurse Discount	Max Grant	Loan Types	Min Credit	Get Started
1	Rocket Mortgage	5.875%	0.125% rate discount (Homes for Heroes)	$10,000 DPA	Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA	620	Get nurse mortgage
2	Guaranteed Rate	5.875%	0.125% rate discount + $500 closing credit	$10,000 DPA	Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, Jumbo	620	Get nurse mortgage
3	U.S. Bank	6.000%	American Dream $10K grant for healthcare workers	$10,000 grant	Conventional, FHA, VA, Jumbo	640	Get nurse mortgage
4	Bank of America	6.000%	Affordable Loan Solution $10K grant + no PMI	$10,000 grant	Conventional, FHA, VA, Jumbo	640	Get nurse mortgage
5	Wells Fargo	6.000%	HomeReady 3% down + $10K NeighborhoodLIFT	$10,000 DPA	Conventional, FHA, VA, Jumbo	620	Get nurse mortgage
6	Chase	6.125%	DreaMaker 3% down + $7,500 grant for healthcare	$7,500 grant	Conventional, FHA, VA, Jumbo	620	Get nurse mortgage
7	New American Funding	6.125%	Nurse Next Door partner up to $25K grants	$25,000 grants	Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, Non-QM	620	Get nurse mortgage
8	Better.com	5.990%	0.125% healthcare worker discount (digital)	$2,500 credit	Conventional, FHA, VA	620	Get nurse mortgage
9	loanDepot	6.125%	Homes for Heroes partner $500+ savings	$5,000 DPA	Conventional, FHA, VA	620	Get nurse mortgage
10	PNC Bank	6.250%	Home Insight + $7,500 grant for healthcare	$7,500 grant	Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA	620	Get nurse mortgage

Best Lenders for Mortgage for Nurses

Nov 1

Rocket MortgageBEST RATE

Best online experience

5.750%

Min credit: 620

Better.com

No lender fees

5.625%

Min credit: 620

Veterans United

Best for VA loans

5.500%

Min credit: 580

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Best Nurse Mortgage Lenders by Category

Different nursing situations require different lenders. Here are the best lenders by category for nurses in 2026.

Use these category rankings to find the best nurse mortgage lender for your specific situation. Find your best nurse mortgage

Category	Best Lender	Why They Win	Key Advantage	Get Started
Best for first-year nurses	Rocket Mortgage / Better.com	3% down + 0.125% discount, low credit 620	Low down payment + rate discount	Get first-year nurse mortgage
Best for largest grants	New American Funding (Nurse Next Door)	Up to $25,000 in grants for nurses	Highest grant amount available	Get nurse grant
Best for rate discount	Rocket Mortgage / Guaranteed Rate / Better.com	0.125% rate discount saves $8,400 over 30yr	Lowest effective rate for nurses	Get discounted rate
Best for 3% down + grant	Wells Fargo / Chase / U.S. Bank	3% down + $7,500-$10K grant	Minimal cash to close	Get low down payment
Best for FHA (3.5% down)	Rocket Mortgage / Guaranteed Rate / New American	FHA 3.5% down with nurse benefits	Low credit accepted	Get FHA nurse loan
Best for VA (0% down)	Rocket Mortgage / Guaranteed Rate / U.S. Bank	VA 0% down for nurse veterans	Zero down payment	Get VA nurse loan
Best for closing cost credit	Guaranteed Rate / Chase / PNC Bank	$500-$7,500 in closing cost credits	Reduced cash to close	Get closing cost credit
Best for travel nurses	New American Funding / Guaranteed Rate	Non-QM options for variable income	Flexible income verification	Get travel nurse mortgage
Best for nurse practitioners	Guaranteed Rate / U.S. Bank / BofA	Jumbo loans for higher incomes	High loan amounts	Get NP mortgage
Best for Homes for Heroes	Rocket Mortgage / loanDepot	Official Homes for Heroes partner	0.125% discount + $500 credit	Get Homes for Heroes

Nurse Home Buying Programs: National & State

Nurses have access to several national and state-level home buying programs. Here are the top 10 programs with their benefits and eligibility requirements.

Stack multiple programs for maximum savings — combine a national grant with a state program and a lender discount. Stack nurse programs

Program	Type	Benefit	Eligibility	How to Apply	Get Started
Homes for Heroes	National	0.125% rate discount + $500 closing credit + realtor rebate	All healthcare workers including nurses	Sign up at HomesforHeroes.com, work with affiliated lender	Get Homes for Heroes
Nurse Next Door	National	Up to $25,000 in down payment grants	All nurses (RN, LPN, NP, CRNA, travel nurses)	Apply at NurseNextDoor.org, qualify with partner lender	Get Nurse Next Door
HUD Good Neighbor Next Door	National (HUD)	50% off home price in revitalization areas	Full-time nurses employed by public agencies	Search HUD GNND listings, bid through lottery system	Get HUD GNND
CA Extra Credit Teacher/Nurse	State (CA)	$7,500-$15,000 DPA forgivable after 3 years	CA nurses in qualifying schools/facilities	Apply through CalHFA-approved lender	Get CA nurse program
TX Hero Loan Program	State (TX)	Below-market rate + 5% DPA forgivable	TX nurses and healthcare workers	Apply through TSAHC-approved lender	Get TX hero loan
FL Hometown Heroes	State (FL)	Up to $35,000 DPA for healthcare workers	FL nurses, 80% AMI income limit	Apply through Florida Housing lender	Get FL Hometown Heroes
NY SONYMA Homes for Veterans + Healthcare	State (NY)	$15,000 DPA + below-market rate	NY nurses and healthcare workers	Apply through SONYMA-approved lender	Get NY nurse program
IL Healthcare Worker DPA	State (IL)	$5,000-$10,000 DPA forgivable after 5 years	IL nurses and healthcare workers	Apply through IHDA-approved lender	Get IL nurse program
GA Dream Peach Plus	State (GA)	$7,500 DPA forgivable after 10 years	GA nurses, 80% AMI income limit	Apply through DCA-approved lender	Get GA nurse program
NC Nurse Home Loan	State (NC)	$8,000 forgivable DPA + below-market rate	NC nurses, 90% AMI income limit	Apply through NCHFA-approved lender	Get NC nurse program

Nurse Mortgage vs Regular Mortgage: Cost Comparison

Here is a cost comparison showing how nurse-specific mortgage programs save money compared to regular mortgages on a $300,000 home.

A nurse mortgage with $10K grant + 0.125% discount saves $18,780 over 30 years vs a regular mortgage. Compare nurse vs regular mortgage

Cost Factor	Nurse Mortgage (with programs)	Regular Mortgage (no programs)	Savings	Get Started
Interest rate	5.750% (5.875% - 0.125% discount)	6.000%	0.25% lower rate	Compare rates
Monthly P&I	$1,750	$1,799	$49/mo savings	Compare monthly cost
Down payment	$9,000 (3% + $10K grant covers rest)	$9,000 (3% conventional)	Same down payment	Compare down payment
Grant received	$10,000 (Nurse Next Door or lender grant)	$0	$10,000 free money	Get grant
Closing costs	$6,500 (reduced by $500 credit)	$9,000	$2,500 saved	Compare closing costs
Total cash to close	$5,500 (down payment - grant + closing)	$18,000	$12,500 saved	Compare cash to close
Total interest (30yr)	$330,000	$347,640	$17,640 saved	Compare total interest
Total savings (30yr)	$30,140 (grant + rate discount + closing)	$0	$30,140 saved	See total savings

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Nurse Mortgage Requirements 2026

Nurse mortgage programs have specific eligibility requirements. Here is a complete breakdown across all programs and loan types.

Most programs require proof of nursing employment, 620+ credit, and primary residence occupancy. Check nurse mortgage requirements

Requirement	Homes for Heroes	Nurse Next Door	HUD GNND	Lender Programs	Get Started
Eligible professions	All healthcare workers including RN, LPN, NP, CRNA, travel nurses	All nurses (RN, LPN, NP, CRNA, CNS, travel)	Full-time nurses at public/non-profit facilities	Varies by lender — most accept all nursing roles	Check eligibility
Proof of employment	Nursing license or employer letter	Nursing license + pay stubs	Employer certification + nursing license	Pay stubs + nursing license	Get proof docs
Min credit score	620 (conventional), 580 (FHA)	620 (conventional), 580 (FHA)	620 (FHA required)	620-640 (lender-dependent)	Check credit
Down payment	3% conventional, 3.5% FHA, 0% VA	3% conventional, 3.5% FHA, 0% VA	$100 down (FHA GNND)	3-5% conventional, 3.5% FHA	Check down payment
Income limits	No income limits	No income limits for most programs	No income limits	80% AMI for some grant programs	Check income limits
Primary residence	Required — must live in home	Required — must live in home	Required — must live 3 years	Required — must live in home	Confirm occupancy
Grant forgiveness	N/A (discount only)	Forgiven after 3-5 years (varies)	Must live 3 years or repay	Forgiven after 5-10 years (varies)	Check forgiveness
Max purchase price	No limit (loan type limits apply)	Conforming loan limits $806,500	HUD listing price only	Conforming loan limits $806,500	Check max price

How Nurses Can Get the Best Mortgage: Step-by-Step Guide

Nurses should stack multiple programs for maximum savings. Here is a step-by-step guide to getting the best mortgage as a nurse.

The key: combine a national program (Homes for Heroes or Nurse Next Door) with a state program and a lender discount for $15,000-$35,000+ in total savings. Get your nurse mortgage

Step 1: Gather your nursing credentials — active nursing license, proof of employment (pay stubs, employer letter), and W-2s
Step 2: Check your credit score — aim for 620+ (conventional) or 580+ (FHA) to qualify for nurse programs
Step 3: Sign up for Homes for Heroes (free) to get 0.125% rate discount + $500 closing credit + realtor rebate
Step 4: Apply for Nurse Next Door program for up to $25,000 in down payment grants
Step 5: Check your state healthcare worker program (CA, TX, FL, NY, IL, GA, NC all have nurse-specific DPA)
Step 6: Get pre-qualified with at least 3 lenders from our top 10 (soft credit pull, no impact)
Step 7: Compare offers — look at rate, grant amount, closing costs, and total cash to close
Step 8: Stack programs — combine national grant + state DPA + lender discount for maximum savings
Step 9: Choose the lender with the lowest total cost (not just lowest rate — factor in grants and credits)
Step 10: Close on your home — enjoy $15,000-$35,000+ in savings from nurse-specific programs

Mortgage Calculator

Home Price

Down Payment

20.0% down

Interest Rate (%)

Loan Term (years)

Loan Amount$320,000

Monthly Payment$1,867

Total Interest$352,276

Total Paid$672,276

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Today's Best Mortgage Rates

Updated November 1, 2026

Lender	Rate	APR	Fees	Best For	Action
Veterans United	5.500%	5.641%	$0	VA loan specialist	Check Rate
Navy Federal CU	5.500%	5.628%	$0	No PMI, military only	Check Rate
Better.com	5.625%	5.765%	$0	No lender fees	Check Rate
New American Funding	5.625%	5.780%	$1,095	FHA specialist, fast closing	Check Rate
Rocket Mortgage	5.750%	5.890%	$1,295	Best online experience	Check Rate
CrossCountry Mortgage	5.750%	5.895%	$1,500	Non-QM, complex files	Check Rate

Rates shown are illustrative. Actual rates vary by credit score, location, and loan details.

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Sarah Mitchell NMLS #1874256, CFP

Senior Mortgage Advisor & Editor-in-Chief

15+ years as a licensed mortgage advisor (NMLS #1874256) and CFP. Former senior underwriter at Rocket Mortgage. Featured in Forbes and Bankrate.

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