Teach Grant

Federal TEACH

Grant Program

In July of 2008, the U.S. Department of Education introduced the Federal TEACH Grant Program for students who plan to pursue a career in teaching. The TEACH Grant is a non-need based grant for students who are majoring in one of the high need fields designated by the Secretary of Education. Students interested in applying for the TEACH Grant must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) every year.

High Need Majors

• Mathematics
• Science, with a minor in secondary education
• Special Education
• Foreign Language
• Bilingual Education & English Language Acquisition
• Reading Specialist
• English as a Second Language (ESL)

Student Eligibility

Grade Point Average

• Incoming freshmen must have a final cumulative high school grade point average of 3.25
• Currently enrolled undergraduates must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.25 as of the last completed semester
• Students entering a graduate program must have a final cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 3.25
• Currently enrolled graduates must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.25 as of the last completed semester

Standardized Test Score

• If a student does not meet the minimum grade point average, he or she can establish eligibility for the TEACH Grant by scoring above the 75th percentile on any part of a standardized college admissions test.

• Current or former teachers are eligible to receive the TEACH Grant for their first graduate program only
• Retirees from other professions are also eligible for the TEACH Grant for their first graduate program only
• These types of TEACH Grant candidates are not subject to the GPA or test score requirement

Awarding & Grant Requirements

• Maximum annual award for the TEACH Grant is $4,000
• Maximum aggregate TEACH Grant awards for undergraduate students is $16,000 or $8,000 for graduate students
• Students must teach in a low-income school for a minimum of 4 years after graduation
• Students are required to repay the grant in the form of a Direct Unsubsidized Loan if the student does not complete their 4 year teaching requirement