Empowering Teachers Through Homeownership

Education Begins With Home

Your New Home May Be Closer Than You Think

Buying a home can feel out of reach. Education Begins With Home helps Tulsa-area teachers build a pathway to homeownership — and find the peace, stability and joy that comes with having a place to call your own.

Eligible teachers may receive up to $50,000 in forgivable down-payment assistance and secure a below-market, 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage.

*Downpayment assistance determined for qualified applicants. Additional down payment assistance may be offered subject to availability. Some restrictions apply.

See What is Possible

The Dream of Homeownership is Doable

Our partners at Tulsa Public Schools, Union Public Schools and participating Tulsa-area charter schools are working together to make homeownership more attainable for eligible teachers.

Education Begins With Home can help qualifying educators:

Purchase a quality, energy-efficient, newly constructed starter home
Receive up to $50,000 in forgivable down-payment assistance
Access a below-market, 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage
Build equity and establish roots in your community
Receive guidance throughout the homebuying process

Program expansion is made possible with support from the Maxine and Jack Zarrow Family Foundation

Could You Qualify?

Education Begins With Home is available to eligible classroom teachers, including traditionally certified and emergency-certified teachers employed by:

Tulsa Public Schools
Union Public Schools
Tulsa Legacy Charter School
KIPP Tulsa
Tulsa School of Arts and Sciences
College Bound Academy
Tulsa Honor Academy
Under the Canopy School
Crossover Preparatory Academy

You do not need to know whether you qualify before taking the first step. Our team is here to provide guidance and free financial counseling through the entire process.

a teacher gives the thumbs up standing in front of a bulletin board full of student drawings

From Application to Move-In Day

“I had a lot of misunderstandings about homebuying and what the process looked like. I applied in June, and by September, I was moving in.”

— Brittani, new homeowner

Hear how Brittani found support through Education Begins With Home and created a place her family could call home.

Learn how our team helped Sharon moved through the homebuying process and established roots in the community she serves.

Your Path To Homeownership

Your path to stable, affordable homeownership just got easier! Our team will walk you through the program, explore your options, and determine the next steps that may be right for you.

1

Tell us about yourself

Complete a short interest form so we can send you more information.

2

Attend a free Homebuyer Information Session

Join a 30-minute virtual or in-person Information Session. There is no cost and no obligation to apply.

3

Submit an application

If you decide to move forward, complete an application and provide the requested financial documents.

4

Build your path home

Work with our Education Begins With Home team throughout qualification, home selection and the homebuying process.

5

Move into your new home!

Take the First Step

Is this program only for Tulsa Public Schools teachers?
No. Education Begins with Home has expanded and is now available to qualifying teachers at Tulsa Public Schools, Union Public Schools and participating Tulsa-area charter schools.
What educators in these school districts may qualify?
Education Begins with Home is available to classroom educators including traditionally certified, alternatively certified, emergency certified and non-certified teachers. Additional eligibility requirements apply.
Which charter schools are participating?
Participating Tulsa-area charter schools include:
- Tulsa Legacy Charter School
- KIPP Tulsa
- Tulsa School of Arts and Sciences
- College Bound Academy
- Tulsa Honor Academy
- Under the Canopy School
- Crossover Preparatory Academy
Can school employees who are not classroom teachers participate?
Absolutely! Other school employees may be eligible for Habitat’s traditional homebuyer program. Complete the interest form to receive information about other opportunities.
How does down-payment assistance work?
Qualified applicants who purchase a home through the program will receive forgivable down-payment assistance, subject to program requirements and available funding.
After five years of successful mortgage payments, the down-payment assistance loan will be forgiven.
Does Education Begins With Home have the same eligibility requirements as standard Habitat HomeBuyer programs?
While many of the eligibility requirements remain the same as our other programs, certain requirements have been reduced or waived to help remove barriers to homeownership for educators.
What mortgage options are available?
Qualified Education Begins with Home participants may be eligible for a below-market, 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage.
Are these newly constructed homes?
Yes! Our homes are high-quality, newly constructed builds designed to provide a strong foundation for successful, long-term homeownership.
Does submitting the interest form affect my credit?
No. Submitting an interest form or registering for an information session will not affect your credit.
What happens during an Information Session?
Our information sessions are a free, 30-minute program overview that provides additional information about the homebuyer process. Sessions are available virtually and in person. Children are welcome and there is no commitment to apply or take further action.
What if I do not meet the requirements today?
Do not count yourself out. We connect you to financial education and homebuyer preparation resources that can help work toward eligibility.

Commonwealth Foundation
Bank of America
Hille Foundation
The Bama Companies
Karen Langdon
Sanford & Irene Burnstein Family Foundation
The Sharna & Irvin Frank Foundation
State Farm
Rozann & Bill Knight

FW Murphy Family Foundation
Julie & Sanjay Meshri Family
Kathleen S. Craft Foundation
Hardesty Family Foundation
PSO Foundation
TD Williamson