Providing all American students with a quality education has been a goal of the American Government for a very long time.  Over the years various programs have been put into place, and have fallen by the wayside in an attempt to make sure that all students receive the very best education possible.

Unfortunately, America’s lower income neighborhoods always seem to be falling behind the curve, and many of their problems stem from not being able to keep good teachers.  These lower income schools are always in need of teachers, and in an effort to meet these perpetual shortages, the Federal Government has come up with an incentive program for new teachers. This program is called the TEACH Grant Program.

What Exactly is the TEACH Grant Program?

The Teacher Education Assistance for Colleges and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program provides grants in the amount of $4,000 per year to students who agree that upon completion of their degree that they will teach for four years at an elementary, secondary or educational service agency that serves low income families.  An agreement to do this is required to be signed before funds are made available to the teaching students.

If students to not complete their full four year service obligation, the grant funds that were received get converted to an unsubsidized Stafford Loan that has to be repaid, and interest is charged from the time that the first TEACH grant was received.

Who is Eligible for the TEACH Grant?

Students have to be eligible for federal student aid programs, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) be enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate student at a school that participates in the TEACH Grant Program and be enrolled in a TEACH-Grant-eligible program.  Student are also required to keep up a GPA of at least 3.25 and they must agree to sign a TEACH grant Agreement to Serve.

TEACH-Grant-Eligible Programs

Teaching programs that are TEACH-Grant-eligible are those programs that are created to prepare students to teach as a qualified teacher in a high-need field; one that leads to a BA or master’s degree.  This includes two year programs that lead to bachelor’s degrees.  If there are questions as to whether or not the program you are enrolled in is TEACH-Grant-eligible, you will need to check with our financial aid office to ensure validity.

What is a TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve?

In order to receive a TEACH Grant the student has to agree to sign an ‘Agreement to Serve’ this means that they agree that for each year they receive a TEACH Grant they must sign an agreement to repay the Grant with time served at a low income school; specifically, a four year assignment.