once i graduated i got a bill, but did not pay it off. >> mayah selli's current score is around 620.anks demand higher scores for a mortgage. >> anything less than that, they are asking for a detailed explanation. >> the chicago school teacher may be in luck with support from a new program called welcome home illinois. the state wants to help an simented 3,000 first-time home buyers by providing $7500 in down-payment assistance. illinois housing development mary kenney says the state is stepping in because many banks have a get-tough attitude towards many home buyers. >> a lot of people are trying to clean up their balance sheet. they are trying to absorb new rules that have come out around qualified mortgages. >> tougher rules coupled with rising home prices and interest rates could be behind a decline in mortgage orange nations in the first quarter. major banks reported a drop of 50% from last year. >> from illinois, getting people into homes is critical. the state has the second highest unemployment rate in the nation. the idea is if people buy homes, they might also buy appliance