Before You Apply

• Please read the official program guidelines because this grant may be converted to a loan if you do not meet the education program requirements or teaching obligations.
• Take time to review the high need, teacher shortage area fields. These are defined by federal statute and listed in the federal TEACH Fact Sheet. Other teacher shortage areas are listed in the Annual Teacher Shortage Area Nationwide Listing. If a field was designated as high-need at the time you received the TEACH Grant it may satisfy your teaching obligation even if the field is no longer classified as high-need when you begin teaching.
• Be familiar with school districts serving low-income students. See the Department of Education’s Annual Directory of Designated Low-Income Schools for Teacher Cancellation Benefits.

Application Process

1. Notify your advisor of your decision to pursue teaching so the education major code can be added to your Truman student system record.
2. Develop a long-term course plan for your undergraduate and graduate work with your Education Advisor.
3. File your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the current school year. This will confirm you meet the general eligibility requirements for federal student aid.
4. Be sure you have either scored at the 75th percentile on a college admission test (ACT, SAT, GRE) or have a cumulative GPA of at least a 3.25 (on a 4.0 scale).
5. Submit Truman’s TEACH Grant Application specifying the amount you would like to apply for along with your planned enrollment (full-time, half-time, etc.) for each term.
6. Complete TEACH Grant Intial and Subsequent Counseling online through the Department of Education.
7. Complete the Agreement to Serve or Pay (ATS) online.

Getting Your Money

Once your eligibility is determined, the amount is awarded and then both counseling and the agreement must be done. Funds will then be paid with the annual award being split into two disbursements.

If you change your mind, you can cancel the award within 14 days of notification that it was disbursed.

For more information about pursuing a TEACH Grant eligible program, contact: Truman’s School of Health Sciences and Education.

For more information about certification and disbursement of a TEACH Grant, contact: Truman’s Financial Aid Office in McClain 103.