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Brief Overview of TEACH (below is a summary from the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators)

Students enrolled less than full-time will have their TEACH Grant reduced according to a schedule established by the Department in regulations. The amount of TEACH Grant awarded when combined with other student aid may not exceed a student's cost of attendance (COA).

Student Eligibility Requirements:

Undergraduate students must have a 3.25 GPA (high school GPA for first year undergrads) OR score in the 75th percentile on at least one admissions test.

GPA requirements do not apply graduate students who are currently teachers or who are retiring and have expertise in a subject where there is shortage of teachers (math, science, special ed, English as a second language, or another high-need subject).

Graduate students completing a high-quality alternative teacher certification program, like Teach for America, are also eligible for the program.

Current or prospective teachers applying for a grant to obtain a graduate degree must either be: a teacher or a retiree from another occupation with expertise in a field in which there is a shortage of teachers, such as mathematics, science, special education, English language acquisition, or another high-need subject; or must be or was a teacher who is using high-quality alternative certification routes, such as Teach for America, to get certified. See language. (Title I, Section 104, Subsection B, Page 6)

Students must be completing (or planning to complete) the coursework required to become a teacher.

Institution Eligibility Requirements:

In order to award TEACH Grant aid the Department must determine that an otherwise eligible institution:

  • Provides high quality teacher preparation and professional development services, including extensive clinical experience as a part of pre-service preparation
 
  • Is financially responsible
 
  • Provides pedagogical coursework, or assistance in the preparation of coursework, including monitoring student performance, and formal instruction related to the theory and practices of teaching
 
  • Provides supervision and support services to teachers or assistance in the provision of such services, including mentoring focused on developing effective teaching skills and strategies.

The bill authorizes such sums as may be necessary to provide TEACH Grants to each eligible applicant.

Posted:  08/13/08