TEACH Grant

The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program provides grants of up to $2,000 per semester to students who intend to teach in a public or private elementary or secondary school that serves students from low-income families. Student eligibility for the TEACH Grant will be based on academic standing, major, and course requirements. Other TEACH Grant requirements include: Counseling, Agreement to Serve or Repay, and TEACH Grant Certification.  By signing the TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve or Repay, the student must complete their service obligation, or their grant will be converted to a Direct Unsubsidized Loan.

For additional information visit Federal Student Aid.


How to accept your TEACH Grant

The following steps must be completed EACH YEAR that you would like to receive the TEACH Grant.

Step 1: Apply for the TEACH Grant

Step 2: Complete TEACH Grant Counseling

Step 3: Complete your TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve or Repay


Eligibility Requirements

Undergraduate Students

Graduate Students

  • Complete the FAFSA
  • Meet all eligibility requirements for federal aid
  • Be working on their first bachelor's degree
  • Have completed EDF315 (EDF315 is an upper level course. Students must have 24 credits earned before it may be taken.)
  • Have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 or have scored above the 75th percentile on a college entrance exam*
  • Be pursuing a TEACH Grant eligible major
  • Complete the FAFSA
  • Meet all eligibility requirements for federal aid
  • Be pursuing an eligible master's degree in education
  • Have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 (or cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.25 if you do not have a graduate GPA) OR
  • Have scored above the 75th percentile on a college entrance exam OR
  • Have previously worked in a high need field and be pursuing a master's degree that would enable them to teach OR
  • Be currently or previously employed as an elementary or secondary school teacher

Award Amounts

A student can receive up to $4,000 from the TEACH Grant per year.  The total lifetime TEACH Grant limits are $16,000 for Undergraduates and $8,000 for Graduates. TEACH will be prorated based on credits enrolled.  

  • TEACH grant disbursements made after October 1, 2020 and prior to September 30, 2024 are as follows: 
    • Full-time, $1,886, 3/4-time $1,414, 1/2-time $943, less than half-time $471

*Note that financial aid resources must not exceed the cost of attendance, so receiving a TEACH Grant may reduce the recipient's eligibility for other sources of financial aid.


What are the terms and conditions of the TEACH Grant service obligation?

In exchange for receiving a TEACH Grant, you must agree to the following:

  • You must serve as a full-time teacher for a total of at least four academic years within eight years after you complete or otherwise cease to be enrolled in the program(s) for which you received TEACH Grant funds.
  • You must perform the teaching service as a highly qualified teacher at a low-income school or educational service agency.
  • Your teaching service must be in a high-need field.
  • You must provide the U.S. Department of Education with documentation of your progress toward completing your service obligation.
  • If you do not meet the requirements of your service obligation, all TEACH Grant funds you received will be converted to a Direct Unsubsidized Loan. You must repay this loan in full, with interest charged from the date of each TEACH Grant disbursement.
  • Upon graduation you must complete TEACH Grant Exit Counseling.


Page last modified October 19, 2023