[Oasfaa] TEACH Grants?

[Jonna Raney]

Can someone tell me what these are?  Will we be awarding them?  If so, is this starting Oct 1, 2007?  If not, how will students apply for them?  It sounds like the school has to request the funds, so I guess we'll award them?  Are they like ACG/SMART?   I'm confused.  

Jonna

Sec. 104. Teach Grants

The bill establishes the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant program providing $4,000 a year (not to exceed $16,000 for undergraduates or $8,000 for graduate students).

These funds must be used for tuition and fees and can only be used for room and board in the case of institutionally owned housing.

Part-time TEACH Grant candidates will have their award reduced in proportion to the amount of time the candidate attends school (a student attending half-time would receive half the award)

The amount awarded in combination with other student aid shall not exceed the student's cost of attendance. If the TEACH Grant exceeds the cost of attendance it shall be reduced until it does not exceed the COA.

Undergraduate and Graduate students may receive TEACH Grants for the period required to complete their first course of study, except for time spent in a noncredit or remedial courses of study. TEACH Grant recipients may also not be awarded more than $16,000. Noncredit and remedial courses and study abroad courses shall not be excluded from eligibility.

85 percent of TEACH Grant funds will be provided to an institution prior to the start of each payment period based on the on the amount requested by the institution to pay TEACH Grant candidates. This would be an interim system until the Department determines an alternative payment system through a negotiate rulemaking process.

Eligible students must demonstrate:

    * They have a GPA of 3.25 on a 4.0 scale (freshman students must have a 3.25 high school GPA or score in the 75th percentile on at least one school admissions test)
    * They are completing (or plan to complete) coursework and requirements necessary to begin a career in teaching. 

TEACH Grant applicants must agree to serve as a full-time teacher for at least four academic years at a high-need school within eight years after completing the course of study.

They must teach in the following fields:

    * Math
    * Science
    * Foreign Language
    * Bilingual Education
    * Special Education
    * Teach as a Reading Specialist
    * Another Field documented as high need by the Federal Government, State government or local education agency and approved by the Department 

Additionally, student must:

    * Submit certification by the chief administrative officer of the school upon completing a year of teaching
    * Comply with requirements for being a highly qualified teacher as defined by the Department 

Students who do not complete their obligations will have their grant aid treated as a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan.

The bill authorizes such sums as may be necessary to provide TEACH Grants to each eligible applicant.