Published · Mike Certo, NMLS #260555
WHEDA's down payment help is two different loans, and neither is a grant. Here is how to pick.
Wisconsin buyers often hear that WHEDA offers a 6% down payment grant. That is wrong on two counts. WHEDA has two programs, not one, and both are loans you repay. Getting the difference right changes your monthly payment and your cash to close.
Two programs, two structures
WHEDA runs Easy Close Advantage and Capital Access, and they are built differently. Easy Close gives up to 6% of the purchase price, with a $1,000 minimum, as a ten-year second mortgage. It carries a monthly payment at the same rate as your first loan, so it adds a small second payment to your budget. Capital Access gives a flat $7,500 as a 0% deferred second, with no monthly payment, repaid only when you sell, refinance, or pay off the first mortgage. One gives you more money with a payment attached; the other gives less with no payment.
| Program | Amount | Structure |
|---|---|---|
| Easy Close Advantage | Up to 6% of price ($1,000 minimum) | Repayable 10-year second, monthly payment |
| Capital Access | $7,500 | 0% deferred second, no monthly payment |
Neither one is a grant
This is the correction that matters. A grant is money you never pay back. Neither WHEDA program works that way. Easy Close is a second mortgage with a monthly payment. Capital Access defers the payment, but the full $7,500 comes due when you pay off the first loan. Aggregator sites that call Easy Close a 6% grant are simply wrong, and a buyer who plans on it as free money gets a surprise at closing or at sale. Both are useful, and both are loans.
How to pick between them
The choice usually comes down to two things: how much help you need, and whether you can carry a second payment. If your down payment gap is large, Easy Close at up to 6% covers more, at the cost of a monthly second payment. If you want the cleanest monthly budget, Capital Access at $7,500 with no payment is the simpler path. One catch on Capital Access: the 2026 supply is limited to 78 loans, so it can run out, and timing matters. Mike models both on your actual numbers so you see the real payment on each.
What they pair with
Both programs sit on top of a WHEDA Advantage first mortgage, either conventional, which needs a 620 credit score, or FHA, which needs 640. WHEDA Advantage does not require you to be a first-time buyer, though first-time buyers finish a homebuyer education course. The down payment assistance page covers the details, and the first-time buyer guide walks the whole process.
Wisconsin WHEDA FAQ
Is WHEDA Easy Close a grant?
No. Easy Close is a repayable second mortgage, not a grant. It gives up to 6% of the purchase price, with a $1,000 minimum, as a ten-year second with a monthly payment at the same rate as your first loan. Websites that describe it as a 6% grant are incorrect. If you want a program with no monthly payment, that is Capital Access, which is also a loan you repay later.
How much is WHEDA Capital Access, and is it deferred?
$7,500, and yes, it is a 0% deferred second with no monthly payment. You repay the full amount when you sell, refinance, or pay off the first mortgage. The only borrower cost up front is a recording fee. One thing to know: the 2026 supply is limited to 78 loans, so it can run out during the year, which makes timing important if this is the program you want.
Which WHEDA program should I choose?
It depends on how much help you need and whether you can carry a second payment. Easy Close gives more, up to 6% of the price, but adds a monthly payment. Capital Access gives $7,500 with no monthly payment, but its 2026 supply is capped at 78 loans. Both pair with a WHEDA Advantage first mortgage and need a 620 conventional or 640 FHA credit score. Mike will run both on your numbers.
Figures verified against WHEDA's 2026 program materials, August 2026. Program terms and supply change; confirm current details at wheda.com. This is not a commitment to lend.