TEACH Grant
The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant is a federal grant program administered by the U.S. Department of Education through participating schools. It provides funds toward education costs for students who plan to become teachers, accessed through the FAFSA at studentaid.gov.
To qualify, a student must enroll in an eligible teacher-preparation program and agree to teach a high-need subject in a school serving low-income families for at least four years within eight years of completing the program. The program is open to both women and men.
What sets the TEACH Grant apart from most other grants is its conversion clause. If a recipient does not fulfill the teaching service obligation, the grant converts into a Direct Unsubsidized Loan that must be repaid with interest. This makes careful review of the Agreement to Serve an essential step before accepting the funds.
Students apply by submitting the FAFSA, enrolling in an eligible program, and signing the TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve. The FAFSA is free to file, and no legitimate service charges a fee to help someone secure this grant.
Avoid grant scams
Legitimate grants are free to apply for. Walk away from anyone who:
- guarantees you a grant, or says you were 'selected' for money you never applied for;
- charges an upfront 'processing', 'application', or 'grant kit' fee;
- asks for your bank-account or card number to 'deposit' a grant;
- pressures you to act immediately.
Verify any program directly at its official .gov site, and report fraud at reportfraud.ftc.gov. More on our grant-scam awareness page.
Official sources: Federal Student Aid (studentaid.gov) — TEACH Grant. This page is educational information, not financial or legal advice; grants are competitive and never guaranteed. See our sources & how-we-work policy.
Frequently asked questions
Who qualifies for teach grant?
Students enrolled in an eligible teacher-preparation program who agree to teach a high-need subject in a low-income school for at least four years. Open to women and men alike..
Does teach grant have to be repaid?
This is grant if the service obligation is met; converts to a loan you must repay if it is not. Grants generally do not have to be repaid, but they are competitive and eligibility-bound.
Is there a fee to apply?
No. Applying for legitimate funding is free. Anyone charging a fee to 'get you a grant' is a scam — see our scam-awareness page.
How do I apply for teach grant?
Submit the FAFSA at studentaid.gov, enroll in an eligible program, and sign the TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve.
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