Teach Grants

Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grant Program (TEACH)

Through the College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007, Congress created the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program that provides grants of up to $4,000 per year to students who are enrolled in a TEACH Grant-eligible program who agree to teach in a high-need field, at a low-income elementary or secondary school for four years within eight years of completing the program. If, after reading all of the information on this fact sheet, you are interested in learning more about the TEACH Grant Program, you should contact the financial aid office.

TEACH Grant Basics

In exchange for receiving a TEACH Grant, you must agree to serve as a full-time, highly qualified teacher in a high-need field in a public or private elementary or secondary school that serves low-income students (see below for more information on high-need fields and schools serving low-income students).

As a recipient of a TEACH Grant, you must teach for at least four (4) academic years within eight (8) calendar years of:

  • Completing the program of study for which you received a TEACH Grant; or
  • Are otherwise no longer enrolled in that program Example: If you withdraw from school or if you change to a different program for which you are not eligible to receive a TEACH grant.

IMPORTANT:

If you fail to complete this service obligation, all amounts of TEACH Grants that you received will be converted to a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan. You must then repay this loan to the U.S. Department of Education. You will be charged interest from the date the grant(s) was disbursed. Note: TEACH Grant recipients will be given a 6-month grace period prior to entering repayment if a TEACH Grant is converted to a Direct Unsubsidized Loan.

Award Amounts

Undergraduate and Post-Baccalaureate Grants

 Master's Degree Grants
Up to $16,000
*($4,000 per year)
Up to $8,000
*($4,000 per year)


The award amounts listed above are based on full-time enrollment and the TEACH Grant in combination with other financial aid assistance cannot exceed the annual Cost of Attendance (COA).

  • Disbursements will be prorated for less than full-time enrollment.
    • Full-time
    • 3/4 time
    • 1/2 time
    • Less than 1/2 time
    • $4,000
    • $3,000
    • $2,000
    • $1,000
  • 12 units = full-time enrollment for undergraduate, credential, and post-baccalaureate students.
  • 12 units (weighted) = full-time for graduate students
  • 500 level courses weighted at 1.5 units (i.e. 4 units x 1.5 = 6 units)

Student Eligibility Requirements

To receive a TEACH Grant you must meet the following criteria:

  • Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
  • Demonstration of financial need not required. The TEACH Grant is not need-based.
  • Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.
  • Must be officially admitted (conditional admission can qualify) by CCOE and enrolled as a post-baccalaureate or graduate student in a credential program.
  • Maintaining a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25.
  • Be eligible for federal student aid programs.
  • Sign a TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve or Repay (see below for more information on the TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve or Repay).
  • Complete TEACH Entrance Counseling (see below for more information).

High-Need Fields

High-need fields are the specific areas identified below:

Definition of Highly-Qualified Teacher

  • Highly Qualified Teachers: To be deemed highly qualified, teachers must have: 1) a bachelor's degree, 2) full state certification or licensure, and 3) prove that they know each subject they teach.
  • State Requirements: NCLB requires states to 1) measure the extent to which all students have highly qualified teachers, particularly minority and disadvantaged students, 2) adopt goals and plans to ensure all teachers are highly qualified and, 3) publicly report plans and progress in meeting teacher quality goals.
  • Demonstration of Competency: Teachers (in middle and high school) must prove that they know the subject they teach with: 1) a major in the subject they teach, 2) credits equivalent to a major in the subject, 3) passage of a state-developed test, 4) HOUSSE (for current teachers only, see below), 5) an advanced certification from the state, or 6) a graduate degree.
  • High, Objective, Uniform State Standard of Evaluation (HOUSSE): NCLB allows states to develop an additional way for current teachers to demonstrate subject-matter competency and meet highly qualified teacher requirements. Proof may consist of a combination of teaching experience, professional development, and knowledge in the subject garnered over time in the profession.

Schools Serving Low-Income Students

Schools serving low-income students include any elementary or secondary school that is listed in the Department of Education Annual Directory of Designated Low-Income Schools for Teacher Cancellation Benefits.

TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve or Repay

Each year you receive a TEACH Grant, you must sign a TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve or Repay.

The TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve or Repay specifies the conditions under which the grant will be awarded, the teaching service requirements, and includes an acknowledgment by you that you understand that if you do not meet the teaching service requirements you must repay the grant as a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan, with interest accrued from the date the grant funds were disbursed. Specifically, the TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve or Repay will require the following:

  • For each TEACH Grant-eligible program for which you received TEACH Grant funds, you must serve as a full-time teacher for a total of at least four academic years within eight calendar years after you completed or withdrew from the academic program for which you received the TEACH Grant.
  • You must perform the teaching service as a highly-qualified teacher at a low-income school. The term highly-qualified teacher is defined in section 9101(23) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 or in section 602(10) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
  • Your teaching service must be in a high-need field.
  • You must comply with any other requirements that the Department of Education determines to be necessary.

If you do not complete the required teaching service obligation, TEACH Grant funds you received will be converted to a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan that you must repay, with interest charged from the date of each TEACH Grant disbursement.

IMPORTANT REMINDER

If you receive a TEACH Grant but do not complete the required teaching service, as explained above, you will be required to repay the grants as a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, with interest charged from the date of each TEACH Grant disbursement.

What is a TEACH Grant Eligible Program?

A program of study that is designed to:

  • prepare an individual to teach as a highly-qualified teacher in a high-need field; and,
  • leads to a baccalaureate or master's degree; or
  • is a post-baccalaureate program of study

How to Apply?

  • Complete the current year FAFSA
  • Complete the TEACH Grant Counseling Session.
  • Complete the “Agreement to Serve or Repay” (ATS)
  • The Counseling Session and ATS must be completed 'EACH' year to be considered for the grant.
  • https://studentaid.gov/app/launchTeach.action
  • The Financial Aid Office will receive electronic notification of your completion of the counseling and ATS requirements. Once this confirmation has been received, you will be determined if you meet the criteria and are eligible to receive grant.
  • The Financial Aid Office will review your eligibility after Census and award the grant accordingly.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Complete the FAFSA.
  • Do not have to demonstrate financial need.
  • Be a U.S. Citizen or eligible non-citizen.
  • Enrolled as a post-baccalaureate, or graduate student in a postsecondary education institution that participates in the TEACH Grant program.
  • Be enrolled in course work necessary to begin a career in teaching or plan to complete such course work.
  • Not have already earned a 1st BA or post-baccalaureate degree.
  • Meet certain academic achievement requirements (generally above the 75% percentile on a college admissions test or maintaining a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25).
  • Be eligible for federal student aid programs.
  • Sign a TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve or Repay (ATS).

Complete the TEACH Grant Initial and Subsequent Counseling (TEACH Grant Counseling) each year you receive a TEACH Grant and before completing the ATS.

Teaching Service Requirements & Exit Counseling

  • Complete the EXIT Counseling session once you complete or withdraw from the TEACH Grant eligible program.
  • This may be done online from the TEACH Grant Home Page.

Where to find more information?

Financial Aid and Scholarships - Student Services Building, Room 2330

TEACH Grant Home Page: