See what you qualify for

CalSTRS CalPATH Teacher Home Loan and DPA - California

California

Last verified
Assistance

3.5%

Of the purchase price, as the program sets it

Repayment

Deferred

No payments until the home is sold or refinanced

What is CalSTRS CalPATH Teacher Home Loan and DPA - California?

CalSTRS CalPATH Teacher Home Loan and DPA - California is a deferred second loan for homebuyers in California.

  • CalPATH teacher loan program providing preferential mortgage terms plus DPA for California public school teachers and CalSTRS members. Works in conjunction with CalHFA STEAP. Statewide availability.
  • Up to 3.5% of purchase price in assistance.
  • no monthly payments on DPA.
  • Funding comes from State / CalSTRS.

How much assistance does it provide?

CalSTRS CalPATH Teacher Home Loan and DPA - California provides assistance worth 3.5% of the purchase price, as set by the program.

  • The program asks buyers to contribute 1% of purchase price (borrower minimum).
  • The program can be combined with other assistance, subject to the rules of each.
  • Amounts are the program's published maximums, not an offer — the administering agency determines any individual award.

Do you have to pay it back?

CalSTRS CalPATH Teacher Home Loan and DPA - California is deferred, so no payments are due until the home is sold, refinanced, or the first mortgage is paid off.

  • Repayment is triggered by Sale, transfer, or non-occupancy.
  • The assistance is recorded in Second position.
  • Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.

Who qualifies?

CalSTRS CalPATH Teacher Home Loan and DPA - California is open to first-time homebuyers and buyers who will live in the home as their primary residence.

The program requires

  • First-time homebuyer — the program sets its own definition
  • The home is occupied as a primary residence
  • On credit: Minimum 660 FICO score required for all borrowers
  • A completed homebuyer education course
  • Residency: Primary residence; must be active CalSTRS member/CA public school teacher
  • Citizenship or immigration status: U.S. citizen, permanent resident alien, or other eligible non-citizen
  • Available to CalSTRS members (K-12 teachers, community college educators). Reduced rate first mortgage + DPA. Must be CalSTRS member in good standing. Contact CalSTRS for current partner lenders.

The program excludes

  • Manufactured homes

These are the program's own published rules, not a decision about any individual — the administering agency and a lender determine who actually qualifies.

What are the income limits?

CalSTRS CalPATH Teacher Home Loan and DPA - California sets its income limit as follows: Contact program provider for current income limits.

  • The limit applies to total household income, not only the borrower’s.
  • The program lists a maximum household size of 8.
  • 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?

CalSTRS CalPATH Teacher Home Loan and DPA - California caps the purchase price as follows: Contact program for current purchase price limits.

  • Eligible property types include Single-family (1-4 unit), FHA-approved condominium, townhome/PUD.
  • New construction is eligible.
  • Manufactured homes are not eligible.

Is there eligibility for specific groups?

CalSTRS CalPATH Teacher Home Loan and DPA - California names educators among the groups it serves.

  • Being named here means the program mentions the group, not that membership alone qualifies an applicant — the rest of the eligibility rules still apply.

Where does it apply?

CalSTRS CalPATH Teacher Home Loan and DPA - California serves buyers purchasing anywhere in California.

How do you apply?

Applications for CalSTRS CalPATH Teacher Home Loan and DPA - California go through the administering agency, which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site.

  1. Take a homebuyer education course

    Required by the program before funds are reserved.

  2. Contact the administering agency to reserve funds

    Funds are reserved through Contact provider directly; subject to funding availability, and are subject to availability.

  3. 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 buyer can take it to a lender or housing counselor.

Learn this program

Short reads on how it works, in plain language. Free, no sign-up needed to read.

Free course from Hey Prescott

CalSTRS CalPATH Teacher Home Loan and DPA - California, explained

A short, free course on CalSTRS CalPATH Teacher Home Loan and DPA - California: what it is, who it is for, when it is repaid, where it applies and how to apply. Based on program data from July 2026. About ten minutes.

5 modules · About 10 minutes

90-second match

Not sure which you qualify for?

Answer 9 questions and we'll match you to every program you can actually use — in about 90 seconds. No SSN, no credit pull.

Find my programs