PhD Home Loans

Sam is experienced in navigating tricky stipend/fellowship income for early career PhDs. He also specializes in, the popular “Dr. Loan” or “Physician Loan” offered by Truist.

The Dr. Loan program is designed to help medical professionals (MD, DO, DPM, DMD, DDS) achieve homeownership, without saving any down payment, or paying off large amounts of student loan debt. Anyone on the Md/PhD track, would qualify for a conventional loan while receiving stipend income, then qualify for the Dr. Loan program once they become a licensed Resident/ Intern/ Fellow.

Truist Dr. Loan Program Highlights

• 0% Down up to $1,000,000 with 720+ FICO scores 
• 5% Down up to $1,500,000 with 720+ FICO scores
• NO PRIVATE MORTGAGE INSURANCE (PMI)
• Close 90 days before employment starts (reserve funds required)
• U.S. Citizens/ Permanent Residents/ Non-Permanent Residents
• Lower than market rates
• Primary Residences, 1-Unit

Who Qualifies?

Licensed Residents/ Interns/ Fellows

• Medical Doctors (MD)
• Doctors of Osteopathy (DO)
• Doctors of Pediatric Medicine (DPM)

Licensed Medical Professionals: 

• Medical Doctors (MD)
• Doctors of Osteopathy (DO)
• Doctors of Pediatric Medicine (DPM)
• Doctors of Dental Medicine
  • DDM and DDS only 

Eligible States: AL, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, ND, NE, NC, NJ, NM, NV, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY

Ineligible States: AK, HI, AZ

This page contains links to all Sam and Emily’s past and future collaborations to help graduate students and PhDs become homeowners!

Prior Podcast Interviews with Sam

PhD Home Buying Updates for 2022 (Published 8/29/2022)

Turn Your Largest Liability into Your Largest Asset with House Hacking (Published 1/25/2021)

How to Qualify for a Mortgage as a Graduate Student or PhD, Even with Non-W-2 Fellowship Income (Published 4/27/2020)

Purchasing a Home as a Graduate Student with Fellowship Income (Published 3/11/2019)

Prior Video Clips with Sam

Is It Easier to Buy a Home on an F-1 or H-1B Visa? (Recorded 10/9/2024)

Why Was I Not Pre-Approved for a Mortgage with My Fellowship Stipend? (Recorded 8/24/2023)

How Much Should I Save for a Down Payment and Closing Costs? (Recorded 8/24/2023)

Is There a Difference in Applying for a Mortgage in the First Year of a PhD Program vs. Later? (Recorded 6/21/2023)

Is There Different Mortgage Paperwork When Your Stipend Is Reported on a Form 1098-T or Form 1099? (Recorded 6/21/2023)

How Should I Prepare for My First Conversation with Sam? (Recorded 6/21/2023)

Does It Make Financial Sense to Own a Home Only During Graduate School or a Postdoc? (Recorded 5/25/2023)

Can an NSF GRFP Recipient Qualify for a Mortgage? (Published 4/24/2023)

How Can an International PhD Student or Postdoc to Qualify for a Mortgage? (Recorded 1/9/2023)

Should I Buy a Home Before Starting Grad School? (Recorded 3/9/2022)

Should I Rent or Buy a Home During Grad School? (Recorded 3/9/2022)

Can I Qualify for a Mortgage with Once-per-Term Fellowship Income? (Recorded 6/27/2021)

Can I Qualify for a Mortgage with a Short-Term Fellowship? (Recorded 5/6/2021)

Can I Qualify for a Mortgage on an F-1 Visa? (Recorded 5/6/2021)