USDA Section 502 Guaranteed Loan Program (Arkansas)
USDA Section 502 Guaranteed Loan Program (Arkansas) is a first mortgage for homebuyers in Statewide, Arkansas, administered by USDA Rural Development - Rural Housing Service.
The program asks for
- The home is occupied as a primary residence
- On credit: No credit score requirement; applicants must demonstrate willingness and ability to manage debt
- Citizenship or immigration status: Must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. non-citizen national, or Qualified Alien
- Must be applied for through a USDA-approved lender; property must be in a USDA-eligible rural area. Income limit (115% AMI) is county-specific - verify on the official USDA income eligibility site before relying on any figure.
- A home in Arkansas
It doesn’t cover
- Households above 115% of area median income
These are the program's own published rules, not a decision about any individual — the administering agency and a lender determine who actually qualifies.
Income limit
115% of the area median income where the home is
HUD sets the area median income each year. The limit changes with household size, so a family of five has a higher limit than a single homebuyer.
Where it applies
Arkansas’s homesArkansas’s homes, and the ones this program accepts
- 70% single-familysingle-family
- 1.9% townhousetownhouse
- 6.5% 2–4 units2–4 units
- 10.5% 5+ unitscondo & apartment buildings (5+ units)
- 11.2% mobile & othermobile home & other
A tick marks a kind of home the program’s record lists. The agency confirms it for the home you choose.
$188,000
Arkansas median home value
39.6%
built before 1980
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 5-year.
How to apply
How to applyTwo steps, in this order
Contact USDA Rural Development - Rural Housing Service to reserve funds
Funds are reserved through Applications accepted year-round through USDA-approved lenders, and are subject to availability.
Work with a lender who handles the program
Hey Prescott is not a lender and does not accept applications; this page describes the program so a homebuyer can take it to a lender or housing counselor.
Questions about this program
What is USDA Section 502 Guaranteed Loan Program (Arkansas)?
USDA Section 502 Guaranteed Loan Program (Arkansas) is a first mortgage for homebuyers in Statewide, Arkansas, administered by USDA Rural Development - Rural Housing Service. The Section 502 Guaranteed Loan Program helps approved lenders provide low- and moderate-income households 100% financing (no money down) to buy, build, rehabilitate, improve, or relocate a primary residence in eligible rural areas of Arkansas. USDA provides a 90% loan note guarantee to reduce lender risk. Loans are 30-year fixed-rate with no credit score minimum; income may not exceed 115% of area median income. 100% financing - no down payment. 30-year fixed rate. No minimum credit score. Manufactured, modular, condo, and PUD eligible. Closing costs may be financed. Funding comes from USDA Rural Development loan guarantee (Housing Act of 1949, Section 502(h); 7 CFR Part 3555).
Do you have to pay it back?
USDA Section 502 Guaranteed Loan Program (Arkansas) is a first mortgage and is repaid under the terms set by USDA Rural Development - Rural Housing Service. Repayment is triggered by Standard mortgage repayment; no DPA recapture. The assistance is recorded in First position. Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.
Who qualifies?
USDA Section 502 Guaranteed Loan Program (Arkansas) is open to homebuyers who will live in the home as their primary residence. On credit, the program states: No credit score requirement; applicants must demonstrate willingness and ability to manage debt. Citizenship or immigration status: Must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. non-citizen national, or Qualified Alien. Must be applied for through a USDA-approved lender; property must be in a USDA-eligible rural area. Income limit (115% AMI) is county-specific - verify on the official USDA income eligibility site before relying on any figure.
What are the income limits?
USDA Section 502 Guaranteed Loan Program (Arkansas) limits household income to 115% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size. Adjusted household income may not exceed 115% of area median income; county-specific - verify on the USDA income eligibility site. The limit applies to total household income, not only the borrower’s. Area median income figures are published by HUD and updated annually, so check the current table for the county before relying on a number.
What kind of home can it be used for?
USDA Section 502 Guaranteed Loan Program (Arkansas) can be used for Single Family, Condo, Townhouse, and Manufactured. New construction is eligible. Manufactured homes are eligible.
Where does it apply?
USDA Section 502 Guaranteed Loan Program (Arkansas) serves homebuyers purchasing in Statewide, Arkansas. The program targets specific areas: Property must be located in a USDA-designated eligible rural area (verify via the USDA Eligibility site).
How do you apply?
Applications for USDA Section 502 Guaranteed Loan Program (Arkansas) go through USDA Rural Development - Rural Housing Service, which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site. Funds are reserved through Applications accepted year-round through USDA-approved lenders. Hey Prescott is not a lender and does not accept applications; this page describes the program so a homebuyer can take it to a lender or housing counselor.
Also for Arkansas homebuyersOther programs open to Arkansas homebuyers
- FHLB Dallas Homebuyer Equity Leverage Partnership (HELP)Up to $20,000
- Southern Bancorp Wealth Builders for Everyone Down Payment Assistance ProgramUp to $12,000
- Arkansas Dream Downpayment Initiative (ADDI)Up to $10,000
Whether two programs can be combined is up to each agency. Ask before you apply.
All 71 programs for ArkansasProgram terms are set by USDA Rural Development - Rural Housing Service and can change; confirm on the official site before you apply.