TEACH Grant: Funding Your Path to a Teaching Career

The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant is a federal aid program offering up to $4,000 annually to students pursuing teaching careers in high-need fields at low-income schools. This visually engaging guide simplifies the TEACH Grant process, providing actionable steps and insights to help you secure funding and achieve your teaching goals.

What Is the TEACH Grant?

The TEACH Grant supports students committed to teaching in high-need subjects at low-income schools. In 2023-24, the U.S. Department of Education awarded $87 million in TEACH Grants, helping thousands of future educators cover college costs without repayment—provided they meet the service obligation.

Action Step: Include the TEACH Grant in your financial aid plan by starting with the FAFSA.

Purpose of the TEACH Grant

The TEACH Grant encourages students to enter teaching professions in critical areas like mathematics, science, special education, foreign languages, and bilingual education. It addresses teacher shortages and improves education access in underserved communities.

Key Benefit: The TEACH Grant doesn’t require repayment if you fulfill the teaching commitment, making it a cornerstone of debt-free education funding.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the TEACH Grant, you must meet these requirements:

• Academic Achievement: Maintain a GPA of at least 3.25 or score above the 75th percentile on a college admissions test (e.g., SAT, ACT).
• Enrollment: Be enrolled in an eligible teacher preparation program at a participating college or university.
• Commitment: Agree to teach full-time for at least four years within eight years of graduation in a high-need field at a low-income school.
• FAFSA: Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to confirm financial eligibility.

Action Step: Verify your program’s eligibility with your college’s financial aid office or check tuitioncovered.com/teach-grant.

High-Need Fields

The TEACH Grant targets subjects with teacher shortages, including:

• Mathematics
• Science (e.g., biology, chemistry, physics)
• Special Education
• Foreign Languages
• Bilingual Education
• Other fields listed in the Nationwide Teacher Shortage Areas

Pro Tip: Research high-need fields in your state to align your studies with grant requirements.

Eligible Programs

The TEACH Grant is available for students in teacher preparation programs meeting federal criteria, such as undergraduate or graduate degrees in education or specific subject areas. Confirm eligibility with your institution.

Action Step: Check with your college’s financial aid office or visit tuitioncovered.com/teach-grant-programs for eligible programs.

Service Obligation

To keep the TEACH Grant as a grant (not a loan), you must:

• Teach full-time for four years within eight years of completing your program.
• Work in a low-income school (per the U.S. Department of Education’s Title I list).
• Teach in a high-need field as specified by the grant.

Failure to meet the obligation converts the grant to a Direct Unsubsidized Loan with interest from the award date.

Key Consideration: Plan your career to meet the obligation. Explore low-income schools at tuitioncovered.com/low-income-schools.

Application Process

Securing the TEACH Grant involves three steps:

1. Complete the FAFSA: Submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid starting October 1.
2. Complete the TEACH Grant Initial and Subsequent Counseling
3. Sign a TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve (ATS) to acknowledge and commit to the service obligation.

Action Step: Download our FAFSA Checklist to prepare for step one.

Teaching Obligation Suspension

You can temporarily pause the eight-year timeline for the teaching obligation under certain conditions:

• Graduate Study: Enrolled in a qualifying graduate program (e.g., master’s in education).
• Military Service: Active duty in qualifying military service.
• Other Circumstances: Approved hardships like medical or family emergencies.

Action Step: Learn about suspension requests at tuitioncovered.com/teach-grant-suspension.

Maximizing the TEACH Grant

The TEACH Grant offers up to $4,000 per year, totaling $16,000 for a four-year program. To maximize it:

• Combine with Other Aid: Pair with scholarships or work-study to minimize loans. Use our Financial Aid Planner.
• Plan Your Career: Research low-income schools and high-need fields early to ensure compliance.
• Stay Informed: Reapply annually and complete required counseling to maintain eligibility.

Take Control of Your Teaching Journey

The TEACH Grant is a powerful tool to fund your education and launch a rewarding teaching career. Start today:

1. File your FAFSA at tuitioncovered.com/fafsa-guide.
2. Confirm your program’s eligibility and complete TEACH Grant counseling.
3. Explore high-need fields and low-income schools at tuitioncovered.com/teacher-shortage-areas.