Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grants (TEACH Grants)

To provide annual grants of up to $4,000 to eligible undergraduate and graduate students who agree to teach specified high-need subjects at schools serving primarily disadvantaged populations for four years within eight years of graduation. For stud

The TEACH Grant program is intended to create incentives for postsecondary education students to teach in in-demand fields and high-need schools. The program awards annual grants of up to $4,000 to eligible undergraduate and graduate students who agree to serve as full-time teachers in mathematics, science, foreign language, bilingual education and English language acquisition, special education, reading, or other in-demand fields and areas at a high-need school, for not less than 4 years within 8 years of graduation.

Undergraduate and graduate students completing coursework or other requirements necessary to begin a career in teaching. Students must attend an institution of higher education that provides high quality teacher preparation and professional development services, including extensive clinical experience as part of preservice preparation; be financially sound; provide pedagogical coursework, or assistance in the provision of such coursework, including the monitoring of student performance, and formal instruction related to the theory and practice of teaching; and provide supervision and support services to teachers, or assistance in the provision of such services, including mentoring focused on effective teaching skills and strategies.

To be eligible for a TEACH Grant award, students must meet certain academic achievement requirements, scoring above the 75th percentile on one or more portions of a college admissions test or maintaining a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.25. In addition, teachers, retirees from another occupation with expertise in a field in which there is a shortage of teachers, or current or former teachers using a high-quality alternative route to certification are eligible to receive TEACH awards to obtain a graduate degree. A student applying for a grant to obtain a graduate degree must be a teacher or a retiree from another occupation with expertise in a field in which there is a shortage of teachers; grants for graduate education may also be obtained by a student who is or was a teacher who is pursuing high-quality alternative certification. In addition, students must sign an agreement to serve as a full-time teacher for not less than four years within eight years of completing the course of study for which they received a TEACH Grant. Service must be performed at a school serving a primarily disadvantaged population and must be in one of the following fields: mathematics, science, a foreign language, bilingual education, special education, as a reading specialist, or in another field documented as high-need. Students must also agree to provide evidence of qualifying employment upon completion of each year of service. Failure to complete the service requirements results in the student's TEACH Grants being treated as Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, with interest accrued from the date of award. Students must also sign a statement of educational purpose, not owe a refund on a Title IV grant, and not be in default on a Title IV loan. Eligible males that are at least 18 years old and born after December 31, 1959, can receive aid only if they have registered with the Selective Service.

Undergraduate and graduate students completing coursework or other requirements necessary to begin a career in teaching. Students must attend an institution of higher education that provides high quality teacher preparation and professional development services, including extensive clinical experience as part of preservice preparation; be financially sound; provide pedagogical coursework, or assistance in the provision of such coursework, including the monitoring of student performance, and formal instruction related to the theory and practice of teaching; and provide supervision and support services to teachers, or assistance in the provision of such services, including mentoring focused on effective teaching skills and strategies.

Students are limited to one TEACH Grant during an academic year. Funds for these grants will likely be disbursed at least twice during an academic year.

Preapplication coordination is required. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Institutions act as disbursing agents for the Department of Education. The institution that the student attends disburses the TEACH Grants based on the enrollment status of the student.

Approximately 2 to 4 weeks.

Students who have applied in the previous award year must continue to meet all eligibility requirements and reaffirm their intention to fulfill the service requirements before obtaining subsequent grants.