Editor LauraThe TEACH Grant is a federal program that offers up to $4,000 per year toward educational expenses for students who plan to teach at low-income schools. The TEACH Grant Program was created in 2008 and was introduced as part of the College Cost Reduction and Access Act (CCRAA). This legislation granted the Department of Education authority to provide grants to students who agree to serve as full-time teachers in certain high-need fields such as mathematics or science at elementary or secondary schools within high-need schools designated by the local school board after graduation.
These grants are provided directly from the government and are not loans, so you do not have to pay them back unless you fail to complete your teaching obligation. However, if you meet certain criteria, then your TEACH Grant may be converted into a Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan on which interest will be charged retroactively from date of disbursement.”
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STEP 1 – Get TEACH Grant Program Guidelines.
To apply for a Teach Grant, you need to complete these steps:
- Read the TEACH Grant Program Guidelines on the Department of Education website. It will give you an overview of what the grant program is and how it works, as well as information about eligibility requirements and deadlines. Once you have read through this document thoroughly, any questions that remain can be answered by calling or emailing your state department of education or local school district.
STEP 2 – Choose from the covered programs on the list of Eligible TEACH Grant Programs and select your program of study.
The TEACH Grant Program is a federal grant, which means you’ll be able to use it to pay for the cost of education-related expenses. This includes tuition, fees and books/supplies. You can also use the TEACH Grant to cover some living expenses while you’re in school, like rent and food.
It’s important that you choose an eligible program on the list of Eligible TEACH Grant Programs (see Step 1 above). If you pick one that isn’t on this list, you won’t be eligible for the grant money!
STEP 3 – Obtain a TEACH Grant Application through your school’s financial aid office.
Before you submit your TEACH Grant Application, you’ll need to obtain a copy of it from the financial aid office at your school. You can find it online through the Department of Education’s website or by visiting your school’s financial aid office in person.
If you have any questions about obtaining an application, call us at 1-866-TEACH-GRANT (1-866-832-2447).
STEP 4 – Obtain a Promissory Note for each year you plan to receive a TEACH Grant.
- Obtain a Promissory Note for each year you plan to receive a TEACH Grant. The promissory note is a legal document that obligates you to repay the loan. The U.S. Department of Education will not consider your application complete until you submit this document, which can be downloaded from their website or requested by calling 1-800-848-0970 (1-800-USAFA).
- A promissory note is not an agreement between two parties; it is simply a contract between the student and government acknowledging that an obligation exists for repayment of funds received by way of grant or loan programs such as the TEACH Grant Program. It does not constitute any type of contractual commitment between individuals or organizations other than those specified in this document.*
STEP 5 – Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) before completing the TEACH Grant application form if you have not already done so.
If you have not already done so, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) before completing the TEACH Grant application form. The FAFSA will be used to determine your eligibility for federal student aid programs, including grants such as the TEACH Grant and other types of loans. If you are not eligible for one or more of these federal programs, you may be eligible for some state student aid programs.
For example: if you are a resident of Michigan and apply to attend a community college in that state and submit your FAFSA application with your income tax information, then you will automatically be considered for the MOST Student Loan program which offers up to $6,495 per year ($500 per semester).
STEP 6 – Work with the Financial Aid Office at your school to complete the TEACH Grant application form.
- Fill out the TEACH Grant application form.
- Work with your school’s financial aid office to complete the form.
STEP 7 – Complete and sign a Promissory Note for each year that you plan to receive a TEACH Grant.
- Sign the Promissory Note within 120 days of disbursement.
- Do not sign the Promissory Note if you have not yet enrolled in classes.
- Make sure you understand the terms of your promissory note, including your responsibilities and repayment conditions.
NOTE: You must be enrolled in classes at least half-time within 120 days of receiving a TEACH Grant in order to receive the grant funds. If you do not meet this enrollment requirement, the grant will convert to an unsubsidized Direct Stafford Loan on which interest will be charged retroactively to the date of disbursement.
To receive your TEACH grant, you must be enrolled in classes at least half-time within 120 days of receiving the grant. If you do not meet this enrollment requirement, the grant will convert to an unsubsidized Direct Stafford Loan on which interest will be charged retroactively to the date of disbursement.
Note: You must have a minimum GPA of 2.50 or higher to qualify for any student loan financial aid programs (including Federal Stafford Loans).
Closing
If you are ready to apply for a TEACH Grant, we encourage you to use our online application. This will help make the process faster and easier than completing an application form by hand. You can also check out our FAQ page for more information about the program and its requirements.