College and University Blog
Grants and Scholarships: The TEACH Grant
Despite the strings, contingencies, and miles-long paper trail, regarding the cost of college education, grants and scholarships are worth their weight in gold. As the saying goes, “nothing good in life comes easy,” true is it then for getting a scholarship or grant. The first step is knowing where to look.
As we head near the threshold of 2010, hopeful for better times ahead, we can start afresh by uncovering some of the many grant and scholarship offers and opportunities.
The TEACH Grant
The TEACH (Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education) Grant originated in 2007 via the College Cost Reduction and Access Act passed by Congress and provides up to $4,000 per year to students enrolled in college with career intentions in the teaching field specifically to high-need, low-income families.
With all grants and scholarships, there are stipulations that apply. Students that receive TEACH grants must agree to and fulfill the following post-graduation conditions:
- Students must acquire a full-time teaching position in a public or private elementary or secondary school that deals with high-need, low-income families. (Elementary or secondary schools servicing low-income families as of date of hire will be listed in the Department of Education’s Annual Directory of Designated Low-Income Schools for Teacher Cancellation Benefits. High-needs qualifies as teacher shortage areas as of the teaching hire date and as specified in the Department of Education’s Annual Teaching Shortage Area Nationwide Listing. )
- Must teach in a high-need field and carry out teaching duties and requirements as a highly-qualified teacher per section 9101(23) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 or 602(10) of the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act.
- Students must teach 4 full academic years 8 calendars years after the program study qualifying the student for the TEACH grant has been completed.
- A TEACH Grant Agreement must be signed each year the grant is awarded. The agreement serves as the student’s acknowledgement that all stipulations under the TEACH Grant Agreement are understood.
- If the student does not meet the conditions specified, all monies given toward the TEACH grant will be transferred to a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan; in which case, repayment for all TEACH grant monies, including interest, will be due to the U.S. Department of Education. If the grant is turned into a Direct Unsubsidized loan, students will be allowed a period of 6 months before the repayment process begins.
TEACH Grant Student Eligibility Requirements
In order to qualify for a TEACH Grant, students must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Students must be U.S. citizens or show proof of eligible non-citizenship.
- Though it is not a requirement that a student should indicate financial difficulty, in order to qualify for a TEACH grant, students must fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA form.
- Students must be enrolled in an institution participating in the TEACH Grant program as either an undergraduate, graduate, or post-baccalaureate.
- Students must be registered in requisite study programs for a career in the teaching field.
- Students must meet all academic requirements including a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher or scoring above the 75th percentile in college admissions testing.
Who To Contact
Given your school is a TEACH grant participator and you are interested and eligible in obtaining TEACH Grants, contact your school’s financial aid office.