Federal TEACH Grant Information

The Federal Teach Grant program is a grant program which provides up to $4,000 per year to students (regardless of income or need) who intend to teach in a public or private elementary or secondary school that serves students from low income families in a high need teaching field.  The grant is awarded to students who apply and meet the defined program requirements.

If you are awarded the Federal TEACH Grant and change majors or do not complete the service requirements, the grant will become a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan and subject to all standard repayment obligations.  The obligation must be completed within eight years of completing your program. 

Full TEACH grant program details can be found on the federal student aid website.

Radford University's TEACH Grant Eligibility Requirements

  • Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
  • Complete Radford's Federal TEACH Grant Application
  • Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
  • Be enrolled in a TEACH eligible degree program.  Questions regarding eligible programs can be directed to Dr. Debbie Bays Wilbon – dbays@radford.edu
  • Must be able to document passing scores (based on state requirements and/or Radford University's teacher education program requirements) on the Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment, and Praxis II (based on specific program in which applicant is enrolled)
  • Must have, at a minimum, sophomore standing (freshman are not eligible for the TEACH Grant)
  • Must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25.  New students must score above the 75th percentile on the SAT or ACT test
  • Must be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours (5 credit hours as a graduate student)
  • Must complete Entrance Counseling and subsequent Counseling each year that you receive the grant
  • Sign a Teach Grant Agreement to Serve each year that grant is received
  • Must complete Exit Counseling at the time you become ineligible or complete your program

TEACH GRANT Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I Apply for Admission to a TEACH Grant Eligible Program?

Information may be obtained from the Radford University's Education Department.

How Do I Apply for a TEACH Grant?

First, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Renewal FAFSA. After your FAFSA is processed, RU will review the results and request additional information, if necessary.  You must also complete the RU Teach Grant Application.  The Financial Aid Office will send your name to RU's Education Department to confirm your program eligibility.  Upon completion of your financial aid application and confirmation of your acceptance into an eligible program, we will send an email to you directing you to OneCampus to accept the award. Upon acceptance, the RU Financial Aid Office will email instructions to you to complete your TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve.

What happens if I change majors / concentrations or do not fulfill the requirements of the service agreement?

If you change majors or concentrations to one that is not an approved TEACH Grant field, you have not fulfilled the provisions of the TEACH Grant Agreement to Service.

Students that do not fulfill the requirements of the agreements will have all TEACH Grant awards converted to Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans that you must repay, with interest charged from the date of the TEACH Grant Disbursement.  Information about Direct Loans may be found on the federal website or on our financial aid website. 

You will be obligated to teach full-time in a high need field at a low income school for at least 4 years for each program that you receive TEACH Grant funds to complete.  Students who receive two years of the TEACH Grant ($8,000) and who do not complete the stipulations of the agreement will have their Teach Grant become a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan.  For example, a student with an $8,000 TEACH Grant who has not fulfilled the requirements of the service contract within eight years after they leave school would have a loan that totals more than $18,000 (with accrued interest).  This would be in addition to all other Direct Loans that the student had acquired.

For full repayment obligations review the information on the federal aid website.

If you think that you may not meet the service obligations you can review the total amount of TEACH Grant that will convert to a loan using the National Student Loan Database (NSLDS).

Other Important Information:
To see the "Teacher Shortage Areas" search the information on this U S Department of Education site.