What first-time homebuyer programs are available in Bryan and College Station, TX?

First-time buyers in Bryan and College Station have access to multiple down payment assistance programs in 2026, including city-level programs offering up to $80,000 in College Station and up to $24,000 in Bryan — both as zero-interest deferred loans. Additional state programs through TDHCA and TSAHC can provide up to 5% of the loan amount in assistance, and these can often be layered with city programs on the same purchase. Most programs require a household income at or below 80% of area median income, a minimum credit score of 600–640, and HUD-approved housing counseling before closing.

By Jordan Kleckley | May 26, 2026

There’s up to $80,000 sitting on the table for first-time buyers in College Station — and most people looking at homes right now have no idea it exists.

Between the City of College Station’s down payment assistance program, the City of Bryan’s program, and state-level options through TDHCA and TSAHC, eligible buyers in the Brazos Valley can layer multiple sources of funding to dramatically reduce — or even eliminate — their down payment requirement. This isn’t a rumor or an expiring pilot program. These funds are active, they’re local, and they’re underused.

Here’s every first-time buyer program available in Bryan and College Station in 2026, what each one actually covers, and how to know if you qualify.

The College Station Program — The One That Surprises People

The City of College Station Down Payment Assistance Program is one of the more generous city-level programs in all of Texas. It provides up to 30% of the purchase price as a zero-interest deferred loan — with a cap of $80,000.

It’s not a grant, so it does have to be repaid when you eventually sell or refinance. But it’s structured as a shared equity model — no monthly payments, no interest accruing. The loan gets paid back from your proceeds when you sell. For buyers who are income-qualified and planning to put down roots in College Station, this can make homeownership possible years ahead of schedule.

To qualify for the College Station program:

• Household income at or below 80% of the area median income
• Minimum credit score of 600
• No more than $20,000 in liquid assets (retirement accounts are excluded from this calculation)
• Must be a first-time homebuyer — defined as someone who hasn’t owned a primary residence in the past three years
• Must complete HUD-approved housing counseling before closing

The program applies to both existing homes and newly constructed properties within the College Station city limits. That includes neighborhoods like Castlegate, Southwood Valley, and newer developments along the Rock Prairie corridor. If you’re looking at a home in Midtown Reserve or another new community, confirm the address falls inside city limits — that one detail determines whether this program applies.

For current income limits and to start the application process, contact the City of College Station Community Services department directly. Your lender can also help you determine eligibility before you start touring homes — which is the right order of operations.

The Bryan Program — Smaller Cap, Same Structure

Bryan operates its own separate program through Community Development Services. Assistance runs from $3,500 up to $24,000, provided as a deferred, non-interest-bearing loan. The requirement is owner occupancy for a minimum of five years — stay in the home, and the loan sits quietly on the title. Sell or vacate before then, and it becomes due.

One thing to understand: Bryan and College Station are separate cities with separate programs. You apply through the program for whichever city your home is located in. You can’t use both city programs on the same purchase, but each city’s program can be layered with the state programs covered below.

Contact the City of Bryan Community Development Services at 405 West 28th Street, Bryan, TX 77803, or call (979) 209-5175. They’ll walk you through the current eligibility requirements and help you understand what’s available for your situation.

State Programs — Stack These on Top

Beyond the local programs, two state agencies provide first-time buyer assistance that applies across all of Texas, including Brazos County:

TDHCA My First Texas Home — The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs pairs a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage with down payment assistance of up to 5% of the loan amount. Credit score minimum is 640 for FHA, VA, or USDA loans. This program works through participating lenders — ask specifically when you’re shopping for a mortgage, since not every lender offers it.

TSAHC Home Sweet Texas — The Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation offers up to 5% as either a grant (no repayment required) or a forgivable second lien. TSAHC’s income limits tend to be more flexible than other programs, and the minimum credit score is 620. If you’re close to qualifying for TDHCA but don’t quite make the cut, TSAHC is often the next best option.

Both state programs are designed to layer with city-level assistance. A College Station buyer could potentially combine the CS DPA program (up to $80,000) with a TDHCA or TSAHC pairing to dramatically reduce what they’re bringing to closing.

Two more tools worth knowing about:

USDA Rural Development loans offer 100% financing — zero down payment — for properties in eligible rural areas. Some Brazos County locations outside the core city limits may qualify. Your lender can run a specific address to check eligibility quickly.

VA loans remain the most powerful tool in the stack for veterans and qualifying service members — zero down payment, no private mortgage insurance, and competitive rates. If you’ve served, a VA loan should always be your first conversation.

How It All Comes Together

Here’s what this can look like in practice. Say you’re a first-time buyer targeting a $250,000 home in College Station with a household income that qualifies under 80% AMI. The city’s program could cover up to $75,000 of your purchase price (30% of $250K). Layer a state program on top for closing cost coverage, and you could be looking at an out-of-pocket requirement that’s far more manageable than the 20% down payment most people assume is the standard.

The key word is eligible. These programs have real requirements around income, assets, credit, and homebuyer education. What you qualify for depends entirely on your specific numbers.

This is exactly the conversation I walk my clients through before we ever step into a home. Knowing which programs apply to your situation changes your entire budget — and your offer strategy. A buyer who knows they have $75,000 in city assistance behind them negotiates differently than one who thinks they’re on their own.

One quick note for Aggie parents reading this: these programs are designed for owner-occupied primary residences, not investment properties or homes purchased for students to live in. If you’re weighing the buy-vs-rent decision for your Aggie’s housing, that’s a different set of numbers — here’s the breakdown I wrote specifically for that situation.

And if you eventually sell the home you bought with city assistance, keep in mind the deferred loan gets repaid from your proceeds at closing. For a full picture of what sellers pay in College Station, this post walks through every line on the closing disclosure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use multiple down payment assistance programs at the same time in College Station?

Yes, in many cases you can layer programs. The City of College Station’s DPA can be combined with state-level assistance from TDHCA or TSAHC on the same purchase. You cannot stack the Bryan city program and the College Station city program on a single home — each applies only within its respective city limits. Your lender will confirm which combinations are allowed based on your loan type and income.

What counts as a first-time homebuyer in Texas for these programs?

In Texas, you’re considered a first-time homebuyer if you haven’t owned a home as your primary residence in the past three years — even if you’ve owned before. Someone who sold five years ago and has been renting since would likely qualify. The exact definition can vary slightly by program, so verify with each one before assuming you’re ineligible.

Does the College Station or Bryan DPA program cover new construction homes?

Yes. Both city programs cover existing and newly constructed homes within their respective city limits. If you’re looking at new construction in communities like Midtown Reserve, confirm the exact address falls within College Station city limits before counting on that program. Your agent can verify this quickly.

What income limits apply to the College Station down payment assistance program?

The program requires household income at or below 80% of the area median income (AMI), which is updated annually. For 2026, a family of four in Brazos County falls under this threshold at roughly $65,000–$72,000, though you should verify the current limits with the City of College Station Community Services or your lender. Household size affects the limit significantly.

Is there a down payment assistance program for veterans buying in Bryan or College Station?

Veterans and qualifying service members can use a VA loan, which requires zero down payment and no private mortgage insurance — regardless of income. VA loans can also be paired with some state and local assistance for closing cost coverage. If you’ve served, a VA loan should be your first conversation with any lender, before layering anything else.

First-time buyer programs in Bryan and College Station are more generous than most people realize — and the gap between “I can’t afford this yet” and “I’m buying this spring” often comes down to whether you know these programs exist and whether you qualify.

If you want to sit down and map out what’s actually available for your income, timeline, and target price range, I’d love to help. Schedule a free consultation here.

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About Jordan Kleckley
For Jordan, real estate isn’t just a career, it’s a calling. What began as a passion project in 2011 has grown into a thriving business built on strategy, care, and results. With over a decade of firsthand experience — including six moves, three home renovations, and one ground-up build — she brings more than guidance to the table. She brings perspective.

A proud Texas A&M graduate with a background in accounting and finance, Jordan spent the early part of her career at ExxonMobil, Deloitte & Touche, and PwC. That foundation in market analysis, negotiations, and data-driven decision making is what sets her apart, and what makes her a powerful advocate for buyers, sellers, and investors alike.

As the founder of Brick + Parcel Real Estate Group, Jordan is known for her calm leadership, deep local knowledge, and ability to turn complex decisions into confident ones. Whether she’s advising first-time buyers, luxury sellers, or Aggie parents investing in their student’s future, she delivers a highly personalized experience — one built on trust, insight, and long-term success.

And at the end of the day? She’s also raising three boys on a bit of land with pigs, a garden, and a lot of love — proof that home really is where your story begins.