TEACH Grant
The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program is available for selected postbaccalaureate and master’s programs and plans in education. It is NOT available to undergraduates at this time. The TEACH Grant is actually a grant/loan combination that requires a TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve (ATS), as the grant will convert to unsubsidized loan in the future if contracted teaching obligations are not met. If this happens, interest accrual will be effective as of the date of the first TEACH disbursement.
The TEACH grant is not included in financial aid offers but can be offered retroactively to eligible students during the award year. Specific eligible education programs have been determined in conjunction with the College of Communication and Education.
Eligibility for the TEACH Grant will be determined by Chico State using guidelines established by the U.S. Department of Education. TEACH Grant eligible students will receive a message in their Student Center that provides specific instructions regarding the necessary steps to receive the grant.
General Qualifications for the TEACH Grant
Students must meet the following conditions in order to qualify:
- Have filed a FAFSA and have an official SAI
- Be a U.S. citizen or have eligible non-citizen status
- Be admitted to an eligible postbaccalaureate credential or master's program in a high-need field:
- Single Subject - Math, Science, Foreign Language, Reading Specialist, and any other field that has been identified as high-need by the federal government, a state government, or a local education agency. For more information view the U.S. Department of Education's Teacher Shortage Report
- Multiple Subject and Bilingual Multiple Subject
- Concurrent/Special Ed Programs
- MA Education Programs - CLASS program
- Be enrolled in one of the TEACH-eligible program plans (PDF).
- Have earned a cumulative grade point average of 3.25 or greater or qualify as a current or retired teacher obtaining a master's degree
- Complete required TEACH Grant initial and subsequent counseling
- Sign Agreement to Serve (ATS)
- Meet standard eligibility criteria for all Federal Title IV financial aid, such as not being in default on a student loan and maintaining satisfactory academic progress
What is an Agreement to Serve?
Each award year, a TEACH Grant recipient must sign an Agreement to Serve (ATS) that explains that the recipient must teach for four years within eight years of completing or ceasing enrollment in a TEACH Grant-eligible program as a full-time highly qualified teacher in a low-income elementary or secondary school in a high-need field. According to contractual obligations, a minimum of fifty percent of classes taught must be in a high-need field. You will need your FSA ID to access and sign the ATS. See directions below in “Steps to Follow.”
Award Information
| Maximum annual amount: | $4,000 per academic year *may be reduced due to sequestration |
| Maximum aggregate amount: | |
| Up to $16,000 aggregate amount |
| Up to $8,000 aggregate amount |
| Duration of eligibility: | Maximum of two years depending on cumulative units earned |
Determination of Student Eligibility
- Eligible students are identified by the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office and the School of Education according to enrollment and GPA criteria.
- Interested students are required by federal requirements to complete TEACH Grant counseling and the Agreement to Serve before funds can be disbursed. See below for specific information.
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TEACH Grant Awarding Timeline
Because this award requires verification of specific enrollment criteria and counseling requirements, eligibility will be determined after University Census each term. TEACH Grants will be awarded after University Census and after the Financial Aid & Scholarship Office receives acknowledgement that the student has completed all the above requirements.
Check your Student Center for any changes to your financial aid. Federal regulations require that a student's combined aid and other resources cannot exceed the student's cost of attendance.