About Lipscomb
The Federal TEACH Grant
Beginning with the 2008-2009 school year, Lipscomb University participates in the Federal TEACH grant program. The Federal TEACH grant is available to students who have been accepted into the College of Education at Lipscomb University. This is typically for undergraduate students at the end of their sophomore year or beginning of junior year. For graduate students, the TEACH grant is available for Degree-seeking graduate education students.
The Federal Teach Grant is a non-need based program for students majoring and certified as a highly qualified teacher in one of the following high need fields:
- Mathematics
- Science
- Special Education
- Foreign Language
- Bilingual Education and English Language Acquisition
- Reading Specialist
- Other identified teacher shortage areas as of the time you begin teaching in that field. These are teacher subject shortage areas (not geographic areas) that are listed in the Department of Education's Annual Teacher Shortage Area Nationwide Listing. To access the listing please go to http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/pol/tsa.doc.
The annual (fall/spring/summer) maximum award amount is $4000 based on full-time enrollment and will be prorated for enrollment of than full-time. Aggregate maximum for Undergraduates is $16000 and Aggregate maximum for Graduate students is $8000.
The Federal TEACH Grant has many requirements:
- Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
- Have a cumulative GPA of at least a 3.25 from previous semesters OR score above the 75th percentile on a standardized admissions test (ACT, SAT, GRE, MAT)
- Qualifying based on the cumulative GPA requires that the student maintain at least a 3.25 cumulative GPA to receive the grant in multiple years.
- Qualifying based on the standardized test does not have a minimum GPA requirement per federal rule
- Complete the initial Federal TEACH grant eligibility form with the College of Education (Undergraduate and Graduate)
- Be accepted as a Degree-seeking student into the College of Education
- Be registered for at least 6 credit hours in a given semester
- Complete and sign an Agreement to Serve with the Department of Education that states you agree to teach full-time in a high need subject (listed above) and in a Title I (high need) school for a minimum of 4 years within 8 years of graduation or leaving school (must be completed annually)
- Complete Federal TEACH grant entrance counseling with the Department of Education (must be completed annually)
- Complete the Lipscomb University Financial Aid Office's documentation worksheet that acknowledges the responsibilities of this grant before the grant can be issued.
- Complete Federal TEACH grant exit counseling prior to graduation or leaving school and at the end of your eligibility.
It is very important to understand that if you do not teach for 4 years, in a high need subject and in a Title I (high need) school the full amount of the Federal TEACH grant will be converted to a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan with interest backdated to the beginning of your program of study.
For more information about the Federal TEACH grant you are encouraged to visit the Department of Education's website at: www.teachgrant.ed.gov.
To view a list of eligible Title I schools visit www.tcli.ed.gov
For more information about the Federal TEACH grant and to apply at Lipscomb University, please contact Tiffany Summers in the Financial Aid Office.