TEACH Grant

The University of New Hampshire through the Department of Education is participating in the U.S. Department of Education’s Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program. This federal program enacted in 2008 is designed to provide financial assistance ($4,000 per year) to teacher candidates entering high-need/critical shortage fields who will serve as highly qualified teachers in low-income schools for four of eight years following completion of their program at UNH (Durham or Manchester campus).

See TEACH Grant requirements on government website 

High-Need/Critical Shortage Fields

The TEACH Grant teacher credential areas that are part of the UNH program are:

  • Bilingual Education/English as a Second Language (ESOL)
  • Foreign Language
  • Mathematics
  • Reading Specialist
  • Science (biology, general science, earth science, physical science, chemistry, & Physics)
  • Special Education including Early Childhood Education Special Needs Option

Programs in these fields are offered at the graduate level through their specific Master of Education and Master of Arts in Teaching degrees. The mathematics credential program has an undergraduate and a graduate program. In addition, students who are admitted to the credential only program in each of these fields may be eligible for the TEACH Grant.

Eligibility for the TEACH Grant

Students must be preparing for a certification program in one of the fields listed above. Students must meet the academic qualification for the grant by either of the following:

  • obtain a score at the 75th percentile on one of the batteries of the SAT or the GRE, or
  • have and maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.25 throughout the student’s participation in the TEACH Grant.

Service Requirement

Students participating in the TEACH Grant upon completion of the program, including receiving the appropriate teaching credential for his/her critical needs field,

  • must teach four out of the next eight years in a low-income elementary or secondary school identified as low-income school that is eligible for assistance from Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) in which more than 30 percent of student population is made up of children who qualify for services provided under Title I of the ESEA. The list of New Hampshire Title I schools is available through the State Department of Education. A national list of schools can be accessed at http://www.tcli.ed.gov (then click on the search button).
  • A majority of the recipient’s teaching assignment/classes must be in the high-need field for which the grant was received and the credential was issued.
  • Students who receive the TEACH Grant must submit appropriate documentation from the Chief Administrative Officer of the school for each year of service.

Warning of Noncompletion

Students who receive a TEACH Grant but do not fulfill the service requirement or leave the program of study for which they received the grant will have their grant converted to an unsubsidized Direct Loan with interest accrued from each grant disbursement date. Once a TEACH Grant is converted to an unsubsidized Direct Loan, it cannot be reconverted to a grant. A default of the loan will likely have serious consequences such a negatively impacting credit reports, wage garnishment, federal offset, and/or litigation.

Students should take part in and sign the TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve document only if they fully understand the consequences of failure or refusal to complete the requirements of the Grant.

Entry Point for Each High-Need/Critical Need Area

Students are eligible to apply for and participate in each of programs only at the entry points listed below.

  • Bilingual Education/English as a Second Language (ESOL)
    • Undergraduates must have completed EDUC 500 and received a positive recommendation.
    • Graduate students must be admitted to the program.
  • Foreign Language
    • Undergraduates must have completed EDUC 500 and received a positive recommendation.
    • Graduate students must be admitted to the program.
  • Mathematics
    • Undergraduates must have completed EDUC 500 and received a positive recommendation.
    • Graduate students must be admitted to the program.
  • Reading Specialist
    • Graduate students must be admitted to the program.
  • Science
    • Undergraduates must have completed EDUC 500 and received a positive recommendation.
    • Graduate students must be admitted to the program.
  • Special Education
    • Undergraduates must have completed or are enrolled in EDUC 750 and/or 751A or B and have the support of the instructor.
    • Graduate students must be admitted to the special education program.
    • Credential areas: General Special Education, Learning Disabilities, and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.
  • Early Childhood Education Special Needs Option
    • Undergraduate students may apply as early as the second semester of their junior year or any time in their senior year.
    • Undergraduates must have taken or currently be enrolled in EDUC 760 plus one other special education course (e.g., EDUC 750a).
    • Graduate students must be admitted to the early childhood education special needs option program.

Process

1. Submit any required Financial Aid forms such as the FAFSA.

2. Attend a TEACH Grant orientation meeting or review the program description

3. Meet with one of the authorizing officials for each program.

  • Bilingual Education/English as a Second Language (ESOL)
    • Department Coordinator or designated Teacher Education faculty member
  • Foreign Language
    • Department Coordinator or designated Teacher Education faculty member
  • Mathematics
    • Department Coordinator or designated Teacher Education faculty member
  • Reading Specialist
    • Department Coordinator or designated Reading faculty member.
  • Science
    • Department Coordinator or designated Teacher Education faculty member
  • Special Education
    • Undergraduate students will submit the following documentation in
      • November or February for consideration in the following semester
      • Enrollment or completion of EDUC 750 and/or 751 A or B and support of the instructor
      • An academic reference
      • A reference that speaks to the student’s successful interaction with children (e.g., camp counselor, volunteer in a school) or an evaluation from EDUC 500
      • Copies of transcripts to date and
      • A statement (500 words or less) of why the student wants to pursue certification in special education
      • The program faculty will meet with the undergraduate student for an informal interview when all of the documents are presented. This interview will serve as the initial advising session for the TEACH Grant.
    • Graduate students will meet with the program coordinator or designee.
  • Early Childhood Education Special Needs Option
    • Undergraduate students will
      • Submit 2 references - 1 academic; 1 that speaks to their experience
      • Submit a transcript
      • Submit a statement of Consideration
      • Participate in an interview with Early Childhood Education faculty
    • Graduate students will meet with the Program Coordinator or designee.

4. Turn in the filled-out and signed (student and Department of Education Advising Official signatures) Advising Form for TEACH Grant to the Financial Aid Office.

5. Students must fill out the Agreement to Serve document. This document is found at http://www.teach-ats.ed.gov.

6. For subsequent Grants, follow steps 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5.

7. Attend an exit counseling session. One session will be held at the end of the fall, spring, and summer terms.

Suspension of Eight-Year Service Period

A grant recipient may request a suspension of the 8 year service period for the following reasons:

  • Up to 3 year suspension may be requested, except the suspension is unlimited for military service for conditions covered by the Family Leave Act. For example,
    • Birth of son or daughter
    • Caring for spouse, child, or parent with a serious medical condition
    • Recipient’s serious health condition
  • Call or ordered to active duty status in the U.S. Armed Forces or National Guard for more than 30 days.

Questions regarding the TEACH Grant program may be directed to the Department of Education (603) 862-2310 or to Financial Aid (603) 862-3600.