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Teacher Education Assistance for College & Higher Education (TEACH) Grant

Conditional grants of up to $4,000 per year to students who intend to teach in a public or private elementary or secondary school that serves students from low-income families. 

In exchange for receiving a TEACH Grant, students must agree to serve as a full-time teacher in a high-need field in a public or private elementary or secondary school that serves low-income students. For more information on high-need fields and schools serving low-income students, visit https://studentaid.gov. 

As a recipient of a TEACH Grant, students must teach for at least four academic years within eight calendar years of completing the program of study for which they received a TEACH Grant. 

If a student receives a TEACH Grant but does not complete the required teaching service, they will be required to repay the grants as a Direct Unsubsidized Direct Loan, with interest charged from the date of each TEACH Grant disbursement.

To receive a TEACH Grant, students must meet the following criteria: 

  • The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must have been filed for the application year and USA must have the results of the FAFSA.
  • Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.
  • Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements.
  • Attend each term at USA-- Disbursement amounts are prorated based on hours of attendance (Example: Full Time = 100% of award, 3/4 time = 75% of award, 1/2 time = 50% of award, less than half time = 25% of award). 

 

If an Undergraduate Student (2nd undergraduate students ARE NOT eligible):

  • Be enrolled in the College of Education and Professional Studies in an eligible TEACH Grant major.
  • A final high school GPA of 3.25 for new first year students or a cumulative USA GPA of 3.25 for continuing students.
  • teacher candidacy in an eligible USA major. Contact the Advising Office in the College of Education and Professional Studies for eligible majors.
  • Maintain a cumulative USA GPA of at least a 3.25.

 

Eligible USA Undergraduate Majors:

  • *Elementary Education: K-6
  • Special Education: K-6 Teacher Education, Collaborative Teacher Education 6-12
  • Secondary Education 6-12 (with a double major in Education and Arts & Sciences); Biology, Chemistry, *English Language Arts, General Science, Mathematics, Physics, *Social Studies
    (*): 2022-2023 Eligible. TEACH Grant for this major is dependent upon official Alabama teacher shortage areas for award year. 

 

If a Graduate Student (NOT eligible if received TEACH for previous degrees in the same teaching field):

  • Be enrolled in the College of Education and Professional Studies in an eligible TEACH Grant major.
  • An overall undergraduate GPA of at least 3.25 documented on the transcript at the time of graduation for new graduate students or a cumulative USA graduate GPA of 3.25 for continuing graduate students/
  • Maintain a cumulative USA graduate GPA of at least a 3.25.

 

Eligible USA Graduate Majors:

  • English for Speakers of Other Languages
  • Reading Specialist (Ed.S. Only)
  • Special Education: Collaborative Education K-6, Collaborative Education 6-12
  • Secondary Education 6-12: *English Language Arts, Foreign Language (French, German or Spanish), General Science, Mathematics, Social Studies
    (*): 2022-2023 Eligible. TEACH Grant for this major is dependent upon official Alabama teacher shortage areas for award year.