TEACH Grant

What is a TEACH Grant?
TEACH stands for Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education.  A TEACH grant is a federal grant designed to assist students who plan to become teachers in low income schools in high need fields. Awards are contingent on federal funding levels and are therefore subject to change based on Congressional action.

How much can a student receive?

• $4,000 maximum award per grade level, prorated based on enrollment status
• $16,000 total for an undergraduate and/or post-baccalaureate teacher credential program
• $8,000 total for graduate study
• $24,000 combined total for undergraduate and graduate study

What are the requirements for Undergraduate students?

I. New Undergraduate/Transfer Students

• Establish a final GPA of 3.25 from their high school or prior institution or receive a test score above the 75th percentile in at least one battery of a nationally known admissions test (e.g. SAT)
• Maintain enrollment in one of the approved TEACH Grant eligible programs listed below
• Complete the FAFSA
• Complete the online Federal TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve (ATS)
• Complete the Federal TEACH Grant Entrance Counseling

II. Continuing Undergraduate Students

• Establish and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.25
• Maintain enrollment in one of the approved TEACH Grant eligible programs listed below
• Complete the FAFSA
• Complete the online Federal TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve (ATS)
• Complete the Federal TEACH Grant Entrance Counseling

Enrollment Eligibility

Eligible Majors

        
What are the requirements for Graduate students?

I. New Graduate Students

• Be accepted to and maintain enrollment in one of the approved TEACH Grant eligible programs listed below
• Have a cumulative GPA of 3.25 from your undergraduate coursework at your prior institution
• Complete the FAFSA
• Complete the online Federal TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve (ATS)
• Complete the Federal TEACH Grant Entrance Counseling

II. Continuing Graduate Students

• Establish and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.25
• Maintain enrollment in one of the approved TEACH Grant eligible programs listed below
• Complete the FAFSA
• Complete the online Federal TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve (ATS)
• Complete the Federal TEACH Grant Entrance Counseling

Enrollment Eligibility

Eligible Majors

 
III. Current Teachers, Former Teachers and Retirees
**Do not have to meet academic achievement requirements if:

• Current teacher is pursing a master’s degree
• Retiree has expertise in a high-need field, as determined by the institution, and is pursing a master’s degree
• Current or former teacher is pursuing certification through a high-quality alternative certification route that is offered by an institution of higher education and is part of a master’s degree program

How does a student receive a TEACH Grant?
    
Step 1:  Complete Entrance Interview

• Complete online at https://teach-ats.ed.gov
  • Ensures that students are provided with information about how to identify low income schools and documented high need fields
  • Informs students that in order for the teaching to count towards the service obligation, the high need field in which the student has prepared to teach must be one of the six high-need fields
  • Informs the grant recipient of the opportunity to request a suspension of the eight-year period for completion of the ATS
  • Explains the circumstances under which a TEACH grant will be converted to a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan
  • Emphasizes that once a TEACH grant is converted to a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan, it can not be reconverted to a grant

Step 2: Complete Agreement to Serve

• Complete online at https://teach-ats.ed.gov
• Agree to serve as a full-time teacher in a high-need field in a public or private elementary or secondary school that serves low-income students

Step 3:  Once you have completed both the Entrance Counseling and the Agreement to Serve, St. John's University will be notified of your acceptance of the TEACH Grant and you will be reviewed for eligibility.  Once the review is completed the grant will be posted to your account.

Remember:

• Teach Grant recipients must teach for at least four academic years within eight calendar years of completing the program of study for which they received the grant.
• If a student fails to complete this service obligation:
  • All amounts of the TEACH grant received will be converted to a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan
  • Repayment for the loan is made to the U.S. Department of Education
  • Interest on the loan will be charged from the date the grant(s) were disbursed
  • Recipients will be given a 6-month grace period prior to entering repayment

Complete Exit Counseling

• Completed online at https://teach-ats.ed.gov
• Ensures that students are provided with information about how to identify low income schools and documented high need fields
• Informs students that in order for the teaching to count towards the service obligation, the high need field in which the student has prepared to teach must be one of the six high-need fields
• Informs the grant recipient of the opportunity to request a suspension of the eight-year period for completion of the ATS
• Explains the circumstances under which a TEACH grant will be converted to a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan
• Emphasizes that once a TEACH grant is converted to a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan, it can not be reconverted to a grant