A home of your own may be right around the corner.

Launch is a program that helps first-time homebuyers cover upfront costs like your down payment and closing costs. Through Citizens State Bank, eligible buyers can receive up to $20,000 in assistance to make buying a home more affordable.

The Launch program is funded through the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis’ Community Investment programs. Since 1990, their Community Investment team has supported affordable housing and economic development across the region.

In just the past 10 years, they’ve provided nearly $400 million in funding—helping build thousands of affordable housing units, supporting first-time homebuyers, and funding home repairs and local businesses throughout Indiana and Michigan.

Through Citizens State Bank, eligible homebuyers can access these funds as part of the homebuying process.

You may be eligible if you:

• Are a first-time homebuyer
• Have a household income at or below 80% of area median income
• Can contribute at least $500 toward your home purchase
• Complete a homebuyer education course
• Apply for your mortgage through Citizens State Bank
  
  

If you're still unsure whether or not you qualify, don't worry. Someone from our mortgage team will walk through everything with you and get you an answer.

As part of the Launch program, all buyers are required to complete a homebuyer education course before closing on their home.

The course is designed to set you up for success by walking through the homebuying process—things like budgeting, understanding your mortgage, and what to expect as a homeowner. It’s a helpful step that makes sure you feel confident, not overwhelmed, as you move forward.

• The course must be provided by (or based on one from) an approved homebuyer counseling organization
• It needs to be completed within the last 12 months
• In many cases, Launch funds can be used to help cover the cost
  
  

Our mortgage team can help you find a qualifying course option that works for you.

Launch funds can help cover several upfront costs, including:

• Down payment
• Closing costs
• Homebuyer education
• Buyer broker fees

Your lender can help you understand if any other expenses may be eligible as well.

The amount you can receive depends on the price of the home you’re buying.

You can get up to $20,000, but the total assistance can’t be more than 20% of the home’s purchase price.

For example: If you’re buying a home for $82,000, you could receive a maximum of $16,400 in assistance — 20% of $82,000. 

However, if you're buying a home for $150,000, you could receive a maximum of $20,000 — even though 20% of the home's purchase price is $30,000. 

It will always be capped at either 20% of the home's purchase price, or $20,000.

⚠ Disclaimer: This is not a guarantee of how much funding you may receive. Many factors will be considered. Your mortgage professional will discuss your unique situation with you and provide you with a precise number based on your situation and funding availability.

If you've never owned or co-owned a primary residence, you'd be considered a first-time homebuyer.

However, there are situations where someone is considered a first-time homebuyer provided they haven't owned or co-owned a primary residence for the last three years.

If you have owned or co-owned a primary residence in the past and you want to know for certain whether or not you qualify for Launch assistance, talk to our mortgage team. 

Yes! Additional programs are becoming available soon:

• Revive (available starting 5/28/2026)
  Offers up to $15,000 to help current homeowners with repairs and accessibility upgrades to their primary residence.
  
  
• HomeBoost (available starting 7/8/2026)
  Provides down payment assistance for first-generation, first-time homebuyers in Indiana and Michigan.
  
  

Our team can help you determine which program may be the best fit for you.