Are you planning on becoming a teacher?

If you plan to complete coursework (now or in the future) necessary for you to become an elementary or secondary school teacher, then this may benefit you!

The College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007 created the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program, which awards grants to students who intend to teach.  This grant will help meet the cost of an eligible student’s postsecondary education beginning with the 2008-2009 academic year (Fall 2008 and Spring 2009). The TEACH Grant recipient’s obligation is to serve as a highly qualified, full-time teacher in a high-need subject area for at least four years within eight years of finishing the program at a school serving low-income students/families (see important note below*).   

These are the initial requirements to be considered to participate in the program:

• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at www.FAFSA.ed.gov.  You do not have to demonstrate financial need to be eligible for the TEACH grant program. 
• Be a U.S. Citizen or eligible non-citizen.
• Be enrolled in coursework that is necessary to begin a career in teaching or plan to complete such coursework -  Coursework that will prepare a student to teach in a high-need subject area http:www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/pol/tsa.doc
• Meet the following academic achievement requirements:
  
  
  • Score above the 75th percentile on one of the following college   
       Admission’s test(s)- SAT, ACT, GRE or
    
  • Graduate from High School with a Cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 on
       a 4.0 scale, and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 throughout 
       your academic program for which you receive a TEACH Grant.
    
  • Complete TEACH Grant counseling.
      
• Sign a TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve and Promise to Pay each year with the U.S. Department of Education. (This document will be available electronically on the Department of Education Website - www.teach-ats.ed.gov )

The TEACH Grant Program provides up to $4,000.00 per year ($16,000.00 total for four year programs). Graduate students are also eligible for up to $4,000.00 per year ($8,000.00). Eligible students will have funds disbursed based on number of hours enrolled during each semester, as of the 14th day of class. The annual award limits are as follows:

• $4,000.00 for full time students
• $3,000.00 for ¾ time students
• $2,000.00 for ½ time students
• $1,000.00 for less than ½ time students

For additional information regarding the TEACH Grant program, you may go online at www.teachgrant.ed.gov , or contact the U.S. Department of Education at 1-800-4FEDAID (800/433-3243) or contact our office at finaid@uno.edu.  If you have already completed your 2008-2009 FAFSA and did not indicate you were interested in this program, please contact the U.S. Department of Education to make the correction to your FAFSA application.

*IMPORTANT NOTE: Recipients who do not complete their teaching obligation will have to repay the TEACH Grants as if the grants were a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan, with interest accruing from the time the grant was disbursed.

Last Updated: July 10, 2008