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Columbia County SHIP Down Payment Assistance

Columbia County, Florida

Last verified
See what you qualify forOfficial program site →
Income limit

120% AMI

Of area median income; varies by county and household size

Price cap

$253,000

Highest purchase price the program allows

Repayment

Forgivable

Forgiven once the program's conditions are met

What is Columbia County SHIP Down Payment Assistance?

Columbia County SHIP Down Payment Assistance is a forgivable loan for homebuyers in Columbia County, Florida.

  • Columbia County SHIP provides up to $30,000 in deferred 0% forgivable loan for eligible homebuyers in Lake City and surrounding Columbia County communities. Max purchase price $253,000. Minimum 1% buyer contribution from own funds. Administered by SREC.
  • Funding comes from State.

Do you have to pay it back?

Columbia County SHIP Down Payment Assistance is a forgivable loan, so the balance is forgiven once the program's conditions are met.

  • Repayment is triggered by Sale, Refinance, and No longer primary within compliance period.
  • The assistance is recorded in 2nd Lien position.
  • Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.

Who qualifies?

Columbia County SHIP Down Payment Assistance 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
  • A minimum 620 credit score
  • A completed homebuyer education course

The program excludes

  • Purchases above the $253,000 price cap
  • Households above 120% 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.

What are the income limits?

Columbia County SHIP Down Payment Assistance limits household income to 120% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size.

  • Income up to 120% AMI for Columbia County (4-person HH ~$91,920).
  • 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?

Columbia County SHIP Down Payment Assistance caps the purchase price at $253,000.

  • Eligible property types include Single Family, Condo, and Townhouse.

Where does it apply?

Columbia County SHIP Down Payment Assistance serves buyers purchasing in Columbia County, Florida.

How do you apply?

Applications for Columbia County SHIP Down Payment Assistance 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 with the provider 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.

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Columbia County SHIP Down Payment Assistance, explained

A short, free course on Columbia County SHIP Down Payment Assistance: what it is, who it is for, how it is forgiven, where it applies and how to apply. Based on program data from July 2026. About ten minutes.

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