TEACH Grant

Why Future Teachers Should Put TEACH at the Center of Their Funding Stack

Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grants are one of the few federal programs that give aspiring educators upfront money in exchange for a service commitment. Unlike loan forgiveness that comes years later, TEACH delivers up to $4,000 per year while you are still in school—money that can cover tuition, residency stipends, or certification exams. If you are committed to teaching math, science, special education, bilingual education, or other high-need fields in low-income communities, TEACH can shave thousands off your college bill and signal to employers that you are serious about serving where you are needed most. This guide shows you how to qualify, stay compliant, and stack TEACH with scholarships, residencies, and loan forgiveness so the grant never turns into a loan.

Program Fundamentals

• Award amount: $4,000 per academic year before sequestration reductions (typically around $3,772 in recent years). Available for up to four years of undergraduate study and for eligible graduate programs.
• Service requirement: Teach full-time for four years in a high-need subject at a low-income school within eight years of completing the program.
• Conversion risk: If you fail to meet service obligations or miss annual certification, the grant converts into an unsubsidized Direct Loan with interest accrued from the date the grant was disbursed.
• Eligible programs: Your college must participate in the TEACH Grant Program and offer a TEACH-Grant-eligible program. Many institutions require admission to teacher education and ongoing GPA checks.

Step-by-Step Application Checklist

1. Complete the FAFSA early. TEACH recipients must file the FAFSA each year. Meeting priority deadlines maximizes your chances of receiving full awards before campus funds run out.
2. Apply for admission to a TEACH-eligible program. Verify eligibility through your financial aid office. Many schools require a formal entry into teacher education (often sophomore year) with background checks and prerequisite coursework.
3. Sign the TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve (ATS). Renew annually via StudentAid.gov. The ATS outlines service obligations, documentation requirements, and conversion warnings. Read carefully.
4. Complete TEACH Grant counseling. Online counseling must be done each year before funds disburse. It covers high-need subjects, service timelines, and compliance tips.
5. Maintain GPA requirements. Keep at least a 3.25 cumulative GPA or score in the top 25% on college admissions tests. Some programs allow alternative standards (e.g., program-specific assessments).
6. Coordinate with financial aid. Work with your aid office to integrate TEACH with Pell Grants, scholarships, and state aid. Confirm disbursement timelines and ensure you remain within lifetime aggregate limits.

Choosing High-Need Subjects and Schools Strategically

• High-need subjects: Math, science, special education, bilingual education, English language acquisition, foreign languages, reading specialists, and other federally identified shortage areas. Check the annual Nationwide List of Teacher Shortage Areas.
• Low-income schools: Schools listed in the Teacher Cancellation Low Income (TCLI) Directory qualify. Charter schools and educational service agencies may be included if they serve low-income populations.
• State priorities: Some states add shortage areas (e.g., STEM, early childhood special education). Align your endorsements with state demand to maximize job placement and retention.

Maximizing TEACH Without Triggering Conversion

1. Track service clock carefully. You have eight years after completing your program to finish four academic years of teaching. Part-time service does not count; however, a year of service is considered complete after 30 weeks and 120 days.
2. Submit annual certification. Each year you are teaching, submit TEACH Grant Certification Form to FedLoan Servicing (or the current servicer). Have your principal or HR verify subject, school, and dates.
3. Request suspension when needed. If attending graduate school, serving in the military, or experiencing a qualifying condition, apply for a suspension of the eight-year clock to avoid conversion.
4. Document everything. Save copies of contracts, pay stubs, certification forms, and emails. If the servicer claims you failed to certify, documentation will support appeals.
5. Teach in qualifying settings. Double-check that your subject and school remain on the TCLI list annually. If the school leaves the list after you start, your service still counts as long as you began while it was eligible.

Stacking TEACH with Other Funding

• Residency stipends: Pair TEACH with teacher residency programs that pay living stipends while you complete coursework in high-need schools.
• Scholarships and state incentives: Many states offer scholarships or loan forgiveness for shortage areas. Examples include New York’s Math and Science Teaching Incentive, Texas’s Teach for Texas Loan Repayment, and federal SMART Grants.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF): After you fulfill TEACH service, continue teaching in qualifying schools to earn PSLF on any remaining federal loans.
• Perkins or state loan cancellation: If you have Perkins Loans, service in low-income schools can qualify for cancellation alongside TEACH obligations.
• AmeriCorps Segal Award: Serve with programs like Teach For America, earn a Segal Award, and apply it toward tuition or loans while simultaneously working toward TEACH requirements.

Insider Tips from Successful TEACH Recipients

• Start networking early. Partner with districts that hire in your subject area. Student teach or substitute in target schools to increase job offers.
• Secure mentorship. Teaching in high-need schools can be challenging. Align with mentor teachers and instructional coaches to improve retention and job satisfaction.
• Use data to prove impact. Keep student growth data, lesson plans, and professional development logs. These strengthen your resume and support future grant applications.
• Plan for geographic flexibility. If jobs are scarce locally, widen your search to rural or urban districts with acute shortages. TEACH service can be completed anywhere in the U.S. or territories.
• Track deadlines religiously. Set calendar alerts for annual certification, ATS renewal, and suspension requests. Missed deadlines are the number one reason grants convert to loans.

Handling Life Events Without Losing the Grant

1. Graduate school transitions: If you pursue a master’s while teaching, maintain documentation showing you continue to teach full-time. If you pause teaching to attend grad school, request suspension of the service clock.
2. Family or medical leave: Approved leave under FMLA does not break your service year if you return and complete the 120 days/30 weeks minimum. Provide documentation to the servicer.
3. Relocation: Moving to a different state is allowed. Just ensure the new school is on the TCLI list and that you continue teaching a high-need subject.
4. Switching subjects: If your new assignment is not a high-need subject, the year will not count. Advocate with administrators to keep high-need placements or seek add-on endorsements.
5. Conversion appeals: If conversion occurs erroneously, submit a written appeal with evidence (certifications, emails, suspension approvals). Engage your institution’s financial aid office or state education agency for support.

Timeline for TEACH Success

• Freshman year: Explore teacher education pathways, meet GPA benchmarks, and volunteer in schools to confirm interest.
• Sophomore year: Apply to teacher education programs, complete prerequisite exams (Praxis Core, state-specific tests), and submit initial TEACH paperwork.
• Junior/Senior year: Maintain GPA, complete field experiences in high-need schools, and begin job networking with districts on the TCLI list.
• Final semester: Re-sign ATS, complete counseling, confirm certification pathways, and apply to positions aligned with shortage subjects.
• Years 1–4 of teaching: Submit annual certification, track service, pursue professional development, and explore advanced endorsements to remain in high-need roles.

Frequently Asked Questions

What counts as a high-need subject? The U.S. Department of Education publishes a Nationwide List each year. Common areas include math, science, foreign language, bilingual education, English as a Second Language, reading specialists, and special education. States may add local shortage areas.

Do charter schools qualify? Yes, if they are listed in the TCLI Directory or operate under a local education agency serving low-income families.

Can I teach abroad? Only if the school is operated by the U.S. government (e.g., Department of Defense Education Activity). Otherwise, overseas service does not qualify.

What happens if I teach part-time? Part-time service does not count. However, two part-time roles that equal full-time employment under district standards may qualify if certified accordingly.

Can I regain grant status after conversion? Once converted, the grant becomes a loan permanently. You can, however, continue to pursue PSLF or other forgiveness on the loan balance.

Resources and Support

• TEACH Grant Overview
• Nationwide Teacher Shortage Area List
• Teacher Cancellation Low Income Directory
• TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve
• Loan Servicer Contact (Aidvantage)

Action Checklist

1. Today: Confirm your program’s TEACH eligibility, schedule TEACH counseling, and map out remaining coursework for your certification area.
2. This semester: Maintain GPA standards, log classroom experiences in high-need schools, and meet with your advisor to review compliance steps.
3. Before graduation: Secure a job offer from a TCLI-listed school, prepare documentation for annual certification, and set up calendar reminders for TEACH deadlines.
4. During service: Submit certification forms each year, track professional development hours, and apply for state or district stipends that reward high-need teachers.
5. After completing four years: Celebrate fulfilling your obligation, keep copies of final certifications, and transition to other incentives like National Board Certification stipends or PSLF.

By understanding the rules, documenting your service meticulously, and aligning your career with high-need communities, you can harness the TEACH Grant as a powerful investment in your teaching career—one that rewards both your wallet and the students who rely on your expertise.