I was wondering how everyone is qualifying for their loan. I will have a stipend of $23,000 next year. I could have used my current income to qualify if I were going to school in the same city, but because I'm moving from Boston to Chicago, I have to use my future income. Unfortunately, because I don't get a W-2 form for my stipend, the bank said I am considered "self-employed," even though my stipend is guaranteed all 5 years. The loan officer informed me that people who are self-employed have to be self-employed for 2 years before they will qualify for a new home loan. For those of you considering buying a house or who have bought a house while in graduate school, how did you get around this?