TEACH Grant

Congress created the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grant Program that provides to students who agree to participate in the program of up to $4000 per year. These students agree to teach in a private or public elementary or secondary school that serves students from low-income families. You should contact your financial aid office for more information.

Grant Conditions

In exchange for receiving a grant, you must agree to be a full time teacher in a high need filed in a public or private elementary or high school that serves low income students. You must each for at least four academic years within eight calendar years of completing your program of study. If you fail to complete your service obligation, you will have to repay the grant as an Unsubsidized Stafford Loan.

Eligibility

To receive the grant you must meet the following criteria:

• Complete the FAFSA – although you do not have to demonstrate financial need.

• US Citizen or eligible Non-Citizen

• Enrollment in an institution that has chosen to participate in the program

• Enrolled in coursework that is necessary to begin a teaching career or plan to complete this coursework.

• Maintain certain Academic standards

• Sign a Grant agreement

High Need Fields

High need fields are defined below:

• Bilingual Education and English Language Acquisition

• Foreign Language

• Mathematics

• Reading Specialist

• Science

• Special Education

• Other identified teacher shortage areas

Schools Serving Low Income Students

Schools serving low income students include any elementary or secondary school that is listed in the Department of Education’s Annual Directory of Designation Low Income Schools. You can find the directory at www.tcli.ed.gov.

TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve

For each year you receive a grant, you must sign a TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve that is available of the Department of Education website. The agreement requires the following:

• You must serve as a full time teacher for four academic years within eight calendar years after you have completed your academic program.

• You must teach as a highly qualified teacher at a low income designated school.

• You must teach in a high need field.

• You will have to repay the grant if you do not complete your required service.