The Federal TEACH (Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education) Grant program makes funding available to students who are committed to teaching in high-need fields or in low-income schools.
Augustana University has designated the following programs as TEACH grant eligible:
- Biology major with Secondary Education
- Chemistry major with Secondary Education
- French major with Secondary Education
- Math major with Secondary Education
- Music Education*
- Physics major with Secondary Education
- A Spanish major with Secondary Education
- Special Education**
- Master of Education
- Master of Education in Special Education (K-12)
*Teaching commitment must be performed in a state with music listed as a shortage area
**May be paired with Elementary Education; however, teaching commitment must be done in the area of Special Education
The Federal TEACH grant provides grants of up to $4000 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 areas designated as high-need. Any TEACH grant originated after Oct. 1, 2022, will have a 5.7% sequester-required reduction so the maximum grant awarded is $3,772 for full-time enrollment.
Criteria to be eligible for the Federal TEACH Grant:
- Major in one of the areas listed above;
- Complete a FAFSA;
- Be a U.S. Citizen;
- Score above the 75th percentile on a college admissions test or maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25;
- Sign a Federal TEACH Grant Agreement to serve each year the grant is received;
- Complete Federal TEACH Grant Counseling each year the grant is received;
- Must teach for four years within eight years of Graduation or the federal grant is turned into a loan with interest due back to the day the grant was disbursed!
Important Reminder
If you have graduated or are no longer planning on teaching you are required to complete EXIT Counseling.
Federal TEACH Grant recipients must confirm to the Department of Education within 120 days of completing or otherwise ceasing enrollment in the program that they are employed as a full-time teacher in accordance with the terms of the service agreement, or they are not yet employed as a full-time teacher but intend to meet the terms and conditions. Failure to do this will result in your grant changing to a loan.
If you receive a Federal TEACH Grant but do not complete the required teaching service, you will be required to repay the grants as a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, with interest charged from the date of each Federal TEACH Grant disbursement.
For more information, contact the Financial Aid Office at 605.274.5216.
Detailed information concerning the Federal TEACH grant can be found by visiting StudentAid.gov.