Study of the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program

Abstract

This report examines the TEACH Grant, which aims to increase the number of highly qualified individuals teaching in high-need fields, such as reading specialist, mathematics, or science, at high-need schools. TEACH Grants provide up to $4,000 per academic year to students preparing to become teachers. To receive a TEACH Grant, students must sign a service agreement to teach in a high-need field and school for a minimum of four years in an eight-year period. After leaving their program, recipients must provide annual certification indicating that they intend to or are currently teaching in a high-need field and school. For recipients who do not meet the service or certification requirements, their TEACH Grants convert to loans. This study was conducted to better understand institutional practices in implementing the TEACH Grant program and to identify factors associated with grant recipients not meeting the grant requirements.