What credit score do you need for the FHA HOPER loan?

The HOPER program requires a minimum 620 credit score, and borrowers must qualify under standard FHA underwriting on the full loan amount, including the financed solar system.

Can you use the HOPER program with a conventional, VA, or USDA loan?

No. HOPER is built on FHA's Solar and Wind Technology policy and is available only with FHA financing — either a purchase loan or a rate/term refinance.

Are condos eligible for the HOPER program?

No. Condominiums are ineligible nationwide. Eligible property types are 1–4 unit primary residences, manufactured homes, fee-simple townhomes, and planned unit developments (PUDs).

Is there an income limit for the HOPER program?

No. Unlike many assistance programs, HOPER has no income limits. Compensation is earned through research participation rather than granted based on need.

FHA HOPER Reference — Eligibility

FHA HOPER loan requirements: who qualifies.

The short version: if you qualify for a standard FHA loan with a 620 score, you almost certainly qualify for HOPER — provided the property type and state fit. Here is every requirement in one place, grouped the way an underwriter would think about them.

Borrower requirements

[01]Minimum 620 credit score. Standard FHA underwriting applies on top of this floor.
[02]Qualify on the full loan amount, including the financed solar system — your debt-to-income ratio is calculated on the combined payment.
[03]Cover your minimum required investment (3.5%) from your own funds before program earnings are applied to the transaction.
[04]No income limits. Compensation is earned through participation, not granted based on need, so there is no income ceiling to stay under.

Loan requirements

[05]FHA financing only — a purchase loan or a rate/term refinance. Conventional, VA, and USDA loans are not eligible.
[06]Fixed terms of 15, 20, 25, or 30 years.
[07]Seller concessions capped at 2.5%, and program earnings plus concessions together should not exceed 6% of the sales price.

Property requirements

[08]Primary residence of 1–4 units, a manufactured home (single- or multi-width), a fee-simple townhome without restrictive HOA terms, or a PUD.
[09]Condominiums are ineligible — nationwide, with no exceptions.
[10]The solar system must be new and its cost may not exceed 20% of the property's value.
[11]Located in one of 42 eligible states. See the current list on the HOPER eligible states page. As of this writing, the exceptions are Alaska, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

Participation requirements

Eligibility gets you in; these are the obligations that make the compensation earned income:

[12]A self-paced online financial education course before closing (~4–6 hours, $149).
[13]A financial mentorship course after closing (~9 hours, $99).
[14]Two brief research surveys per year for five years.

Final say: this checklist reflects published program guidelines, but final eligibility is always determined by AHA Group and your lender's FHA underwriting. Treat this page as a map, not the territory.

Not sure you fit a requirement?

Edge cases — manufactured homes, 2–4 units, credit right at 620 — are exactly what a pre-approval sorts out.

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