TEACH Grant Program

What is the Federal TEACH Grant?

The U.S. Department of Education’s (the Department’s) TEACH Grant Program awards grants to students who intend to teach, to help pay for their postsecondary education.

As a condition for receiving a TEACH Grant, you must agree to teach full-time for at least four years as a highly-qualified teacher in a high-need field, in a school or educational service agency (ESA) serving low-income students.
You must complete the four years of teaching within eight years after you complete or otherwise cease to be enrolled in the program of study for which you received the grant. If you do not meet the terms of your TEACH Grant service obligation, all TEACH Grant funds that you received will be converted to a Direct Unsubsidized Loan, under the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program that you must repay in full, with interest charged from the date of each TEACH Grant disbursement.
If you are enrolled full- time, you can receive up to $4,000 each year in TEACH Grant funds, up to a maximum of:

$16,000 for undergraduate and/or post baccalaureate study, and
$8,000 for graduate study.

What is the minimum enrollment to remain eligible?

This program requires at least 1/2-time enrollment in order to maintain eligibility. Be aware that some programs may require full-time enrollment.

Meet the basic eligibility criteria for the federal student aid programs.
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®).
Be enrolled as an undergraduate, postbaccalaureate, or graduate student at a school that participates in the TEACH Grant Program.
Be enrolled in a TEACH-Grant-eligible program.
Meet certain academic achievement requirements (generally, scoring above the 75th percentile on one or more portions of a college admissions test or maintaining a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25).
Complete TEACH Grant Initial and Subsequent Counseling, and
Complete an Agreement to Serve (ATS).

What is the minimum enrollment to remain eligible?

This program requires at least 1/2-time enrollment in order to maintain eligibility. Be aware that some programs may require full-time enrollment.

What is A Highly-Qualified Teacher?

You must perform your teaching service as a highly-qualified teacher. The term highly-qualified teacher is defined:

In section 9101(23) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, or
If you are a special education teacher, in section 602(10) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

For more information about the requirements for being a highly-qualified teacher, please visit U.S Department of Education.

What are the TEACH Grant High-Need Fields?

High-need fields are

Bilingual education and English language acquisition,
Foreign language,
Mathematics,
Reading specialist,
Science, and
Special education, as well as
Any other field that has been identified as high-need by the federal government, a state government, or a local education agency, and that is included in the Teacher Shortage Area Nationwide Listing (Nationwide List).

If you plan to teach in a high-need field that is included in the Nationwide List, that field must be listed for the state where you teach either at the time you begin your qualifying teaching service or at the time you received a TEACH Grant.

What Schools and Educational Services Agencies Service Low-Income Students?

To search the Department’s Low-Income School Directory, please visit Teacher Cancellation Low Income Directory.

An educational service agency is a regional public multiservice agency (not a private organization) that is authorized by state law to develop, manage, and provide services or programs to local education agencies, (such as public school districts).

When you complete or otherwise leave your TEACH eligible program of study, you need to:

Teach full-time as a highly qualified teacher in a high-need field at an eligible low-income elementary school, secondary school, or educational service agency for at least 4 academic years.
Complete the required 4 years of teaching within 8 years of completing or otherwise leaving your TEACH Grant program of study.
Certify, with the Mohela Servicing Center, annually after completing or otherwise leaving your TEACH Grant program of study, and each year thereafter, that you are meeting (or intend to meet*) the requirements of your service obligation.

If you don't meet these requirements, your TEACH Grants may be converted to Direct Unsubsidized Loans that you'll have to repay in full, with interest charged from the date of each TEACH Grant disbursement. For more information about your teaching obligation, review your Agreement to Serve.

Once you complete the program for which you've received the TEACH Grant or your enrollment status drops below half-time, complete the TEACH Grant Exit Counseling.

How do I apply?

Have filed a FAFSA and have an official Student Aid Index
Be a U.S. citizen or have eligible non-citizen status
Be admitted to an eligible high-need field. High-need fields are:

Bilingual education and English language acquisition,
Foreign language,
Mathematics,
Reading specialist,
Science, and
Special education, as well as
Any other field that has been identified as high-need by the federal government, a state government, or a local education agency, and that is included in theTeacher Shortage Area Nationwide Listing (Nationwide List).

Have earned a cumulative grade point average of 3.25 or greater or qualify as a current or retired teacher obtaining a master's degree
Complete required TEACH Grant initial and subsequent counseling
Sign Agreement to Serve (ATS)
Meet standard eligibility criteria for all Federal Title IV financial aid, such as not being in default on a student loan and maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress

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