The U.S. Department of Education states, “A Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant is different from other federal student grants because it requires you to take certain kinds of classes in order to get the grant, and then do a certain kind of job to keep the grant from turning into a loan.”
Who Can Get a TEACH Grant?
As with any federal student aid, the first step is to meet the basic eligibility requirements. These include being able to demonstrate financial need, being a U.S. citizen or an eligible noncitizen, being enrolled as an undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, or graduate student at a school that participates in the TEACH Grant Program, and meeting certain mandatory academic achievement requirements as well as other requirements detailed here.
What Programs Are Eligible for a TEACH Grant?
Programs eligible for a TEACH Grant include those that prepare you to teach as a highly qualified teacher in a high-need field and that lead to a bachelor’s or master’s degree, or are post-baccalaureate programs.
Universities participating in the TEACH Grant Program determine which of their courses or programs are eligible, and a program that is eligible at one university may not be eligible at another. It’s best to contact the financial aid office at your university of interest to find out which programs are eligible.
Are Online Programs Eligible for the TEACH Grant?
The short answer is yes, but find out for sure by contacting the university’s financial aid office to determine which programs they offer are TEACH Grant-eligible.
What Are High-Need Fields?
The following fields/roles have a high need for educators:
- Bilingual education and English language acquisition
- Foreign language
- Mathematics
- Reading specialist
- Science
- Special education
- Any other field on this list of teacher shortage areas.
What Is a TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve?
In order to receive a TEACH Grant, you must sign an “Agreement to Serve.” This agreement outlines the details such as when, where and how long you will teach in a high-need field. You will be required to teach full time for a total of at least four school years within eight years after completing the TEACH Grant-eligible program. You must meet the requirements outlined for a highly qualified teacher and you must teach at a low-income school or educational service agency and in a high-need field. See a preview of the Agreement to Serve.
More Details About the TEACH Grant
To find out more about the terms and conditions for TEACH Grants, check the TEACH Grant website or this federal student aid resource. Both contain answers to questions you may have about TEACH Grants, including those that relate to service obligation suspension or cancellation.
Is TAMIU’s Online Reading-Focused Master of Science Eligible for a TEACH Grant?
Yes, Texas A&M International University’s online Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction with a Specialization in Reading is TEACH Grant-eligible. Students can complete this 33 credit-hour program in as few as 12 months. The tuition for Texas residents, including all fees, is $11,082, and can be paid by the course.
Learn more about TAMIU’s online Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction program with a Specialization in Reading.
Sources:
U.S. Department of Education: TEACH Grant
U.S. Department of Education: Federal Student Aid – Basic Eligibility Criteria
U.S. Department of Education: TEACH Grant Program – Downloadable PDF
U.S. Department of Education: Teacher Shortage Areas
StudentLoans.gov: Preview of the Agreement to Serve
