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Open: Sat 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
25%
of first mortgage
$0
2nd mortgage payment
No
Separate Purchase Price Limit
$178,920
income limit
$1,000
minimum borrower contribution
The short version
CHFA Schools To Home is a Colorado down payment assistance program for eligible full-time public school employees. If you work full time for Westminster Public Schools (District 50), you may qualify for a 30-year fixed first mortgage paired with a deferred second mortgage worth up to 25% of that first mortgage — potentially useful for a home in Westminster. Westminster Public Schools serves a portion of the Westminster area, while Adams 12 Five Star Schools serves other parts of the city, so always confirm the specific district serving a property address.
- Up to 25% of the first mortgage amount in second-mortgage assistance.
- $0 monthly payment on the second mortgage, with no accrued interest.
- No separate purchase price limit under Schools To Home.
- Income limit is $178,920 statewide — regardless of county or household size.
- $1,000 minimum borrower contribution, which may be a gift.
- 620 minimum mid-credit score, subject to applicable loan requirements.
- You do not have to be a first-time buyer.
- Only one borrower on the loan has to be the Westminster Public Schools employee.
- Westminster Public Schools is its own district — separate from Adams 12 Five Star Schools.
- The CHFA second mortgage eventually becomes due, and you also share a portion of the home's appreciation.
Program terms: The terms below reflect the CHFA Schools To Home program matrix effective July 1, 2026. Always confirm current requirements with a CHFA participating lender before making an offer.
On this page
What is CHFA Schools To Home?
Who qualifies at Westminster Public Schools — and who doesn't
How much assistance can I receive?
A worked example at a $475,000 Westminster home
Shared appreciation, explained without the spin
Westminster and the Adams 12 boundary
Westminster Public Schools vs. Adams 12
A quick note on Westminster's competency-based model
Westminster-area market considerations
What kind of homes qualify
The complete requirement checklist
When Schools To Home is the wrong move
Step by step: how to actually use it
Westminster Schools To Home FAQ
Who qualifies at Westminster Public Schools — and who doesn't
How much assistance can I receive?
A worked example at a $475,000 Westminster home
Shared appreciation, explained without the spin
Westminster and the Adams 12 boundary
Westminster Public Schools vs. Adams 12
A quick note on Westminster's competency-based model
Westminster-area market considerations
What kind of homes qualify
The complete requirement checklist
When Schools To Home is the wrong move
Step by step: how to actually use it
Westminster Schools To Home FAQ
What is CHFA Schools To Home?
CHFA Schools To Home is a Colorado down payment assistance program for eligible full-time public school employees. It pairs a 30-year fixed-rate first mortgage with an optional deferred second mortgage providing assistance of up to 25% of the first mortgage amount — a zero-percent loan with no monthly payment and no accrued interest while it remains outstanding.
Schools To Home came out of bipartisan legislation passed in the 2025 Colorado legislative session, funded through the Public School Permanent Fund and launched by the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA) in 2026. The assistance can be used toward:
- Down payment
- Closing costs
- Prepaid expenses
- Principal reduction
Westminster Public Schools serves a portion of the Westminster area, while Adams 12 Five Star Schools serves other parts of the city — boundaries should always be confirmed for a specific address. Because home prices vary across Colorado, eligible buyers may find that Schools To Home assistance covers a larger share of the purchase price on lower-priced homes.
Is this free money?
No. Schools To Home is not a grant — the assistance is a real second mortgage with a real repayment obligation. You don't make a monthly payment on it, but you owe the original assistance later, plus a share of your home's appreciation, when a maturity event occurs.
Who qualifies at Westminster Public Schools — and who doesn't
Which Westminster Public Schools employees are eligible?
CHFA's eligibility language is broad: any individual employed by a preK–12 Colorado public school, school district, charter school, institute charter school, BOCES, or innovation zone, who is classified full time by their employer.
Classroom & SPED teachers
Paraprofessionals & aides
Counselors, psychologists, nurses
Front office & registrars
Custodial & maintenance
Nutrition services staff
Bus drivers, mechanics, dispatch
Coaches & athletic staff
Admin, IT, HR, finance, security
How to verify your employer: CHFA directs lenders and borrowers to the Colorado Department of Education's SchoolView database for employer verification. “Public” needs to appear in the School Type column for Westminster Public Schools (District 50). Private and parochial school employees are not eligible.
Do I have to be full time?
Yes. At least one borrower must be classified full time by an eligible public school employer. Part-time, substitute, and seasonal roles generally do not independently qualify.
What if my spouse doesn't work for Westminster Public Schools?
That's okay. Only one borrower needs to be the eligible full-time school employee. The other borrower can work in any industry. Cosigners and non-occupying co-borrowers are not permitted, and non-borrowing spouses cannot take title without being on the loan.
Do I have to be a first-time buyer?
No. Schools To Home is not restricted to first-time homebuyers.
Do I have to buy inside Westminster Public Schools boundaries?
No. Your eligibility comes from your employment, not from where you buy. A Westminster Public Schools employee could purchase in Westminster, elsewhere in the Denver metro, or anywhere else in Colorado, subject to owner-occupancy and mortgage requirements.
How much assistance can I receive?
The 25% figure is based on the first mortgage amount, not the purchase price. On a $475,000 home with a $380,000 first mortgage, the maximum second mortgage would be 25% × $380,000 = $95,000.
| Structure A — Zero Down, No PMI | Amount |
|---|---|
| Purchase price | $475,000 |
| First mortgage (80% LTV) | $380,000 |
| Schools To Home second | $95,000 |
| Buyer down payment | $0 |
| PMI | None |
| Structure B — Higher First Mortgage / More Assistance | Amount |
|---|---|
| Purchase price | $475,000 |
| First mortgage (84% LTV) | $399,000 |
| Schools To Home second | $99,750 |
| Combined (105% CLTV) | $498,750 |
| PMI | May apply |
Structure A uses the assistance to cover the full down payment with no PMI. Structure B provides more assistance under the program's maximum 97% LTV / 105% CLTV limits, but comes with a larger first mortgage and possible mortgage insurance. Have a participating lender price both before you decide. Illustrative only.
Why people keep hearing “$1,000”
The $1,000 is your minimum required contribution, not the total amount of assistance you receive. Your actual cash-to-close may still be higher because of closing costs, prepaids, escrows, lender fees, and earnest money.
Is there a purchase price limit?
No separate purchase price limit. There is still a maximum first-mortgage amount — the lower of $832,750 or the applicable Fannie Mae limit plus financed mortgage insurance — but that's a loan-amount ceiling, not a cap on the home's price.
What's the income limit?
$178,920 statewide, regardless of county or household size. The income counted is the qualifying income your lender uses for mortgage credit-qualification, not simply your gross salary.
Not sure which structure fits your situation?
Send us your target price range and we'll run Structure A and Structure B side by side — free, no obligation.
Call Us: 720-575-1588Westminster Area HomesA worked example at a $475,000 Westminster home
Let's say you're a full-time Westminster Public Schools employee purchasing a home for $475,000, using Structure A.
| At closing | Amount |
|---|---|
| Purchase price | $475,000 |
| First mortgage | $380,000 |
| Schools To Home assistance | $95,000 |
| Your down payment | $0 |
| Minimum contribution | $1,000 |
Seven years later, you sell for $610,000
| Appreciation ($610,000 − $475,000) | $135,000 |
| Shared appreciation owed | Determined under CHFA calculation |
| Original assistance repaid | $95,000 |
| Total CHFA repayment at sale | $95,000 + applicable shared appreciation |
This is an illustration only, not a projection of future home values or your actual payoff, and the shared-appreciation figure is not calculated here. Have a lender or CHFA run the actual shared-appreciation calculation for your situation.
Shared appreciation, explained without the spin
The assistance doesn't disappear after closing. When the second mortgage becomes due, you repay the original assistance amount plus a calculated shared-appreciation payment.
How is the shared appreciation percentage calculated?
The shared-appreciation percentage is determined under CHFA's Schools To Home program documents based on the amount of down payment assistance provided. It may not exceed the percentage of DPA provided. The exact percentage for your loan is established at closing.
How is appreciation itself measured?
Contract sales price minus original purchase price, for a standard sale. For repayment events other than a standard sale, the applicable property value is determined according to the CHFA program documents.
What if my home loses value?
Negative appreciation is treated as zero. You still owe the original assistance amount, but you never owe a share of a loss.
When does it come due?
Four triggers: you sell, you refinance, you pay off the first mortgage, or the property stops being your primary residence. This program is not designed for buyers planning to convert the home into a rental.
Can I refinance later?
Yes, but a refinance triggers repayment of the assistance and shared appreciation, so you'd need enough equity to absorb the payoff.
Westminster and the Adams 12 boundary
Westminster Public Schools serves a portion of the city of Westminster, while Adams 12 Five Star Schools serves other parts of the city. The two districts' boundaries don't follow city limits, so a “Westminster” address doesn't automatically tell you which district serves it.
Westminster: A mix of established residential neighborhoods and newer development, close to US-36 and the broader Denver metro. Browse Westminster homes.
Because “Westminster” the city and Westminster Public Schools the district don't cover exactly the same footprint, always confirm which district actually serves a specific address rather than assuming based on the city name alone.
Our team tracks active listings, price reductions, pending sales, and market trends through REcolorado so Westminster-area buyers can make decisions using current local market data rather than outdated averages.
Westminster Public Schools vs. Adams 12 — don't mix them up
Westminster Public Schools is a separate school district from Adams 12 Five Star Schools. Both serve parts of the city of Westminster, and a home with a Westminster mailing address or ZIP code is not automatically inside Westminster Public Schools' boundaries.
Your employer determines Schools To Home eligibility, not the address on your paycheck stub or the school your own kids attend. If you work for Westminster Public Schools, you qualify through Westminster Public Schools regardless of where you live.
- Check the actual school district boundary map, not the mailing address, ZIP code, or city name.
- Confirm your own employer's district on the Colorado Department of Education's SchoolView database.
- If you work for Adams 12 instead of Westminster Public Schools, verify eligibility through the Adams 12-specific guide.
Bottom line: your eligibility rides entirely on your W-2 employer. Where you live, and which district your address happens to sit in, doesn't change that.
A quick note on Westminster's competency-based model
Westminster Public Schools is known for using a competency-based education model, where students advance based on demonstrated mastery of material rather than strictly by grade level or seat time. This is a distinguishing feature of the district itself and isn't connected to Schools To Home eligibility.
If you'd like specifics on how the competency-based model works day to day, the district itself is the best source — we're a real estate team, not a school administrator.
Westminster-area market considerations
1. HOA Fees
Some Westminster subdivisions carry HOA dues. Build them into your total monthly budget.
Some Westminster subdivisions carry HOA dues. Build them into your total monthly budget.
2. Older Housing Stock
Older homes can mean lower price-per-square-foot but higher near-term repair costs.
Older homes can mean lower price-per-square-foot but higher near-term repair costs.
3. District Boundaries
Confirm which district a specific address is zoned for.
Confirm which district a specific address is zoned for.
4. Commute & Access
US-36 access makes Denver and Boulder commutes a common consideration.
US-36 access makes Denver and Boulder commutes a common consideration.
5. Competitive Offers
Well-priced homes can still draw multiple offers. Full appraisal is required.
Well-priced homes can still draw multiple offers. Full appraisal is required.
6. No Separate Purchase Price Limit
Compare homes across a range of Westminster neighborhoods.
Compare homes across a range of Westminster neighborhoods.
What kind of homes qualify
- Single family, one unit — attached or detached
- PUDs
- Condominiums
- Modular homes
- Manufactured housing on a permanent foundation, subject to Fannie Mae guidelines
- Homes with an existing ADU, subject to applicable requirements
What about a duplex?
Schools To Home is built around one-unit owner-occupied properties, so a typical duplex does not qualify. Have your lender confirm any unusual property configuration before you write an offer.
What about the appraisal?
A Property Inspection Waiver (PIW) is not permitted under this program — a full appraisal is always required.
The complete requirement checklist
Employment
- At least one borrower classified full time by an eligible Colorado preK–12 public school employer
- Employer verified via CDE SchoolView, “Public” listed as School Type
Credit & Income
- Minimum mid credit score of 620
- Max DTI: 50% (FICO 620–659) / 55% (FICO 660+)
- Income limit: $178,920 statewide
- Fannie Mae DU only
Money In
- $1,000 minimum borrower contribution (may be a gift)
- Second mortgage proceeds may never come back as cash at closing
Education
- CHFA-approved homebuyer education course, valid 12 months, every borrower
- CHFA “Understanding Your Financial Commitment” course & quiz
Loan structure rules
- Maximum 97% LTV / 105% CLTV
- No subordinate financing
- No interest rate buydowns permitted
- No cosigners, non-occupying co-borrowers, or non-borrowing spouse on title
- PMI required above 80% LTV
- Full appraisal required — PIWs not permitted
When Schools To Home is the wrong move
- You might move in under three years. Short holds may not build enough equity to comfortably absorb the CHFA payoff.
- You already have a real down payment saved. Compare a conventional loan without shared appreciation.
- You want to keep the house as a rental. The primary-residence requirement can trigger repayment.
- You're planning a major renovation. You'll share appreciation on the value you create.
- You're near the top of your budget. Zero down means zero cushion for repairs.
- Your middle credit score is below 620. Consider improving your credit profile before applying.
Step by step: how to actually use it
- Confirm your employer is eligible through CDE SchoolView for Westminster Public Schools (District 50).
- Confirm you're classified full time with HR or payroll.
- Talk to a CHFA participating lender experienced with Schools To Home.
- Get fully pre-approved — not just pre-qualified.
- Start both education courses while house hunting.
- Get your agent involved before touring properties; account for the no-PIW and no-buydown rules and district boundaries.
- Write, negotiate, complete the appraisal and inspection, and close.
Westminster Schools To Home FAQ
Is CHFA Schools To Home a grant?
No. It's a deferred second mortgage with a shared appreciation obligation.
No. It's a deferred second mortgage with a shared appreciation obligation.
Do I make monthly payments?
No. Zero percent, no monthly payment, no interest accrual while it remains outstanding.
No. Zero percent, no monthly payment, no interest accrual while it remains outstanding.
How much assistance can I get?
Up to 25% of your first mortgage amount, subject to CHFA guidelines and underwriting.
Up to 25% of your first mortgage amount, subject to CHFA guidelines and underwriting.
Is there a purchase price limit?
No separate purchase price limit exists under Schools To Home.
No separate purchase price limit exists under Schools To Home.
What's the income limit?
$178,920 statewide.
$178,920 statewide.
What credit score do I need?
Minimum mid score of 620.
Minimum mid score of 620.
Do bus drivers, custodians, and paraprofessionals qualify?
Yes, when employed full time by an eligible public school employer.
Yes, when employed full time by an eligible public school employer.
Does my spouse have to work for Westminster Public Schools?
No. Only one borrower needs to be the eligible employee.
No. Only one borrower needs to be the eligible employee.
Do I have to be a first-time buyer?
No.
No.
Can I buy a condo or townhome?
Yes, subject to applicable requirements.
Yes, subject to applicable requirements.
Can I buy a duplex?
No. Schools To Home is limited to one-unit owner-occupied properties.
No. Schools To Home is limited to one-unit owner-occupied properties.
Can I rent the house later?
Not while the assistance is outstanding; changing primary residence can trigger repayment.
Not while the assistance is outstanding; changing primary residence can trigger repayment.
What happens if I refinance?
It's a maturity event and repayment is triggered.
It's a maturity event and repayment is triggered.
What if my home loses value?
Negative appreciation counts as zero appreciation; the original assistance remains due.
Negative appreciation counts as zero appreciation; the original assistance remains due.
Can I combine it with another DPA program?
No. Subordinate financing isn't allowed.
No. Subordinate financing isn't allowed.
Can the seller buy down my rate?
Not on this program — interest rate buydowns aren't permitted.
Not on this program — interest rate buydowns aren't permitted.
Is Westminster Public Schools the same as Adams 12?
No. They are separate districts serving parts of Westminster.
No. They are separate districts serving parts of Westminster.
Does a Westminster mailing address affect eligibility?
No. Eligibility is based on your employer.
No. Eligibility is based on your employer.
Does competency-based education affect the program?
No. It has no bearing on Schools To Home eligibility or terms.
No. It has no bearing on Schools To Home eligibility or terms.
Do I have to buy in Westminster?
No. Eligible employees may purchase elsewhere in Colorado subject to program requirements.
No. Eligible employees may purchase elsewhere in Colorado subject to program requirements.
Who do I call?
Call 720-575-1588 or 303-955-4220.
Call 720-575-1588 or 303-955-4220.
Let's find out if this works for you
If you work full time for Westminster Public Schools and homeownership in Westminster has felt out of reach, Schools To Home is worth running the numbers on. No cost, no commitment, and if a conventional loan turns out to be the better fit, that's the answer you'll get.
The Kenna Real Estate Group · 720-575-1588 · 303-955-4220
Lender partner: Mike Oswald, New American Funding · NMLS #261003
More Colorado Schools To Home Guides
Every eligible Colorado public school district gets its own Schools To Home breakdown. Click any guide below to open it in a new window.
Program details summarized here are based on the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA) Schools To Home program matrix effective July 1, 2026, and are subject to change. This article is for general informational purposes only and is not a commitment to lend, an offer of credit, or a guarantee of eligibility, terms, or assistance amounts. Eligibility, income limits, loan limits, credit requirements, homebuyer education requirements, loan structure, and shared appreciation terms are determined by CHFA and a CHFA participating lender. Loan structure examples are illustrative only. School district boundary information is general in nature; verify the specific district serving any property with the applicable county assessor or district boundary map. Verify eligible employers with the Colorado Department of Education. The Kenna Real Estate Group is a real estate brokerage team and does not originate loans. Not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Westminster Public Schools or Adams 12 Five Star Schools. Each office is independently owned and operated. Equal Housing Opportunity.
