Title 34—Education--Volume 1
PART 686—TEACHER EDUCATION ASSISTANCE FOR COLLEGE AND HIGHER EDUCATION (TEACH) GRANT PROGRAM
§ 686.1   Scope and purpose.
The TEACH Grant program awards grants to students who intend to teach, to help meet the cost of their postsecondary education. In exchange for the grant, the student must agree to serve as a full-time teacher in a high-need field in a school serving low-income students, or as a full-time teacher in a high-need field for an educational service agency serving low-income students, for at least four academic years within eight years of ceasing enrollment at the institution where the student received the grant or, in the case of a student who receives a TEACH Grant at one institution and subsequently transfers to another institution and enrolls in another TEACH Grant-eligible program, within eight years of ceasing enrollment at the other institution. The eight-year period for completing the required four years of teaching does not include periods of suspension in accordance with § 686.41. If the student does not satisfy the service obligation, the amounts of the TEACH Grants received are treated as a Direct Unsubsidized Loan and must be repaid with interest charged from the date of each TEACH Grant disbursement. A TEACH Grant that has been converted to a Direct Unsubsidized Loan can be reconverted to a grant only in accordance with § 686.43.
§ 686.2   Definitions.
(a) Definitions for the following terms used in this part are in the regulations for Institutional Eligibility under the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, (HEA) 34 CFR part 600:
(b) Definitions for the following terms used in this part are in subpart A of the Student Assistance General Provisions, 34 CFR part 668:
(c) Definitions for the following terms used in this part are in 34 CFR part 77:
(d) Other terms used in this part are defined as follows:
Academic year or its equivalent for elementary and secondary schools (elementary or secondary academic year):
(1) One complete school year, or two complete and consecutive half-years from different school years, excluding summer sessions, that generally fall within a 12-month period.
(2) If a school has a year-round program of instruction, the Secretary considers a minimum of nine consecutive months to be the equivalent of an academic year.
Agreement to serve or repay: An agreement under which the individual receiving a TEACH Grant commits to meet the service obligation or repay the loan as described in § 686.12 and to comply with notification and other provisions of the agreement.
Annual award: The maximum TEACH Grant amount a student would receive for enrolling as a full-time, three-quarter-time, half-time, or less-than-half-time student and remaining in that enrollment status for a year.
Bilingual education: An educational program in which two languages are used to provide content matter instruction.
Educational service agency: A regional public multiservice agency authorized by State statute to develop, manage, and provide services or programs to local educational agencies (LEAs).
Elementary school: A nonprofit institutional day or residential school, including a public elementary charter school, that provides elementary education, as determined under State law.
English language acquisition: The process of acquiring English as a second language.
Full-time teacher: A teacher who meets the standard used by a State in defining full-time employment as a teacher. For an individual teaching in more than one school, the determination of full-time is based on the combination of all qualifying employment.
High-need field: Includes the following:
(1) Bilingual education and English language acquisition.
(2) Foreign language.
(3) Mathematics.
(4) Reading specialist.
(5) Science, including, but not limited to, computer science.
(6) Special education.
(7) Another field documented as high-need by the Federal Government, a State government or an LEA, and approved by the Secretary and listed in the Department's annual Teacher Shortage Area Nationwide Listing (Nationwide List).
Highly qualified: Has the meaning set forth in paragraphs (i) through (iv) of this definition, or the meaning set forth in section 602(10) of the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act.
(i) When used with respect to any public elementary school or secondary school teacher in a State, means that—
(A) The teacher has obtained full State certification as a teacher (including certification obtained through alternative routes to certification) or passed the State teacher licensing examination, and holds a license to teach in such State, except that when used with respect to any teacher teaching in a public charter school, the term means that the teacher meets the requirements set forth in the State's public charter school law; and
(B) The teacher has not had certification or licensure requirements waived on an emergency, temporary, or provisional basis.
(ii) When used with respect to—
(A) An elementary school teacher who is new to the profession, means that the teacher—
( 1 ) Holds at least a bachelor's degree; and
( 2 ) Has demonstrated, by passing a rigorous State test, subject knowledge and teaching skills in reading, writing, mathematics, and other areas of the basic elementary school curriculum (which may consist of passing a State-required certification or licensing test or tests in reading, writing, mathematics, and other areas of the basic elementary school curriculum); or
(B) A middle or secondary school teacher who is new to the profession, means that the teacher holds at least a bachelor's degree and has demonstrated a high level of competency in each of the academic subjects in which the teacher teaches by—
( 1 ) Passing a rigorous State academic subject test in each of the academic subjects in which the teacher teaches (which may consist of a passing level of performance on a State-required certification or licensing test or tests in each of the academic subjects in which the teacher teaches); or
( 2 ) Successful completion, in each of the academic subjects in which the teacher teaches, of an academic major, a graduate degree, coursework equivalent to an undergraduate academic major, or advanced certification or credentialing.
(iii) When used with respect to an elementary, middle, or secondary school teacher who is not new to the profession, means that the teacher holds at least a bachelor's degree and—
(A) Has met the applicable standard in paragraph (ii) of this definition, which includes an option for a test; or
(B) Demonstrates competence in all the academic subjects in which the teacher teaches based on a highly objective uniform State standard of evaluation that—
( 1 ) Is set by the State for both grade-appropriate academic subject matter knowledge and teaching skills;
( 2 ) Is aligned with challenging State academic content and student academic achievement standards and developed in consultation with core content specialists, teachers, principals, and school administrators;
( 3 ) Provides objective, coherent information about the teacher's attainment of core content knowledge in the academic subjects in which a teacher teaches;
( 4 ) Is applied uniformly to all teachers in the same academic subject and the same grade level throughout the State;
( 5 ) Takes into consideration, but is not based primarily on, the time the teacher has been teaching in the academic subject;
( 6 ) Is made available to the public upon request; and
( 7 ) May involve multiple, objective measures of teacher competency.
(iv)(A) When used with respect to any public, or other non-profit private, elementary or secondary school teacher who is exempt from State certification requirements means that the teacher is permitted to and does satisfy rigorous subject knowledge and skills tests by taking competency tests in the applicable grade levels and subject areas.
(B) For purposes of paragraph (iv)(A) of this definition, the competency tests taken by a private school teacher must be recognized by five or more States for the purpose of fulfilling the highly qualified teacher requirements as described in paragraphs (i) through (iii) of this definition, and the score achieved by the teacher on each test must equal or exceed the average passing score of those five States.
Institutional Student Information Record (ISIR): An electronic record that the Secretary transmits to an institution that includes an applicant's—
(1) Personal identification information;
(2) Application data used to calculate the applicant's EFC; and
(3) EFC.
Numeric equivalent: (1) If an otherwise eligible program measures academic performance using an alternative to standard numeric grading procedures, the institution must develop and apply an equivalency policy with a numeric scale for purposes of establishing TEACH Grant eligibility. The institution's equivalency policy must be in writing and available to students upon request and must include clear differentiations of student performance to support a determination that a student has performed at a level commensurate with at least a 3.25 GPA on a 4.0 scale in that program.
(2) A grading policy that includes only “satisfactory/unsatisfactory”, “pass/fail”, or other similar nonnumeric assessments qualifies as a numeric equivalent only if—
(i) The institution demonstrates that the “pass” or “satisfactory” standard has the numeric equivalent of at least a 3.25 GPA on a 4.0 scale awarded in that program, or that a student's performance for tests and assignments yielded a numeric equivalent of a 3.25 GPA on a 4.0 scale; and
(ii) For an eligible institution, the institution's equivalency policy is consistent with any other standards the institution may have developed for academic and other title IV, HEA program purposes, such as graduate school applications, scholarship eligibility, and insurance certifications, to the extent such standards distinguish among various levels of a student's academic performance.
Payment Data: An electronic record that is provided to the Secretary by an institution showing student disbursement information.
Post-baccalaureate program: A program of instruction for individuals who have completed a baccalaureate degree, that—
(1) Does not lead to a graduate degree;
(2) Consists of courses required by a State in order for a student to receive a professional certification or licensing credential that is required for employment as a teacher in an elementary school or secondary school in that State, except that it does not include any program of instruction offered by a TEACH Grant-eligible institution that offers a baccalaureate degree in education; and
(3) Is treated as an undergraduate program of study for the purposes of title IV of the HEA.
Retiree: An individual who has decided to change his or her occupation for any reason and who has expertise, as determined by the institution, in a high-need field.
Scheduled Award: The maximum amount of a TEACH Grant that a full-time student could receive for a year.
School or educational service agency serving low-income students (low-income school): An elementary school, secondary school, or educational service agency that is listed in the Department's Teacher Cancellation Low-Income (TCLI) Directory. The Secretary considers all elementary and secondary schools and educational service agencies operated by the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) in the Department of the Interior or operated on Indian reservations by Indian Tribal groups under contract or grant with the BIE to qualify as schools or educational service agencies serving low-income students.
Secondary school: A nonprofit institutional day or residential school, including a public secondary charter school, that provides secondary education, as determined under State law, except that the term does not include any education beyond grade 12.
Student Aid Report (SAR): A report provided to an applicant by the Secretary showing the amount of his or her expected family contribution.
TEACH Grant-eligible institution: An eligible institution as defined in 34 CFR part 600 that meets financial responsibility standards established in 34 CFR part 668, subpart L, or that qualifies under an alternative standard in 34 CFR 668.175 and—
(1) Provides a high-quality teacher preparation program at the baccalaureate or master's degree level that—
(i)(A) Is accredited by a specialized accrediting agency recognized by the Secretary for the accreditation of professional teacher education programs; or
(B) Is approved by a State and includes a minimum of 10 weeks of full-time pre-service clinical experience, or its equivalent, and provides either pedagogical coursework or assistance in the provision of such coursework; and
(ii) Provides supervision and support services to teachers, or assists in the provision of services to teachers, such as—
(A) Identifying and making available information on effective teaching skills or strategies;
(B) Identifying and making available information on effective practices in the supervision and coaching of novice teachers; and
(C) Mentoring focused on developing effective teaching skills and strategies;
(2) Provides a two-year program that—
(i) Is acceptable for full credit in a baccalaureate teacher preparation program of study offered by an institution described in paragraph (1) of this definition, as demonstrated by the institutions; or
(ii) Is acceptable for full credit in a baccalaureate degree program in a high-need field at an institution described in paragraph (3) of this definition, as demonstrated by the institutions;
(3) Offers a baccalaureate degree that, in combination with other training or experience, will prepare an individual to teach in a high-need field as defined in this part and has entered into an agreement with an institution described in paragraphs (1) or (4) of this definition to provide courses necessary for its students to begin a career in teaching; or
(4) Provides a post-baccalaureate program of study.
TEACH Grant-eligible program: An eligible program, as defined in 34 CFR 668.8, is a program of study at a TEACH Grant-eligible institution that is designed to prepare an individual to teach as a highly qualified teacher in a high-need field and leads to a baccalaureate or master's degree, or is a post-baccalaureate program of study. A two-year program of study that is acceptable for full credit toward a baccalaureate degree is considered to be a program of study that leads to a baccalaureate degree.
Teacher: A person who provides direct classroom teaching or classroom-type teaching in a non-classroom setting, including special education teachers and reading specialists.
Teacher preparation program: A State-approved course of study, the completion of which signifies that an enrollee has met all the State's educational or training requirements for initial certification or licensure to teach in the State's elementary or secondary schools. A teacher preparation program may be a regular program or an alternative route to certification, as defined by the State. For purposes of a TEACH Grant, the program must be provided by an institution of higher education.
Teacher Shortage Area Nationwide Listing (Nationwide List): A list of teacher shortage areas, as defined in 34 CFR 682.210(q)(8)(vii), in each State.
§ 686.3   Duration of student eligibility.
(a) An undergraduate or post-baccalaureate student enrolled in a TEACH Grant-eligible program may receive the equivalent of up to four Scheduled Awards during the period required for the completion of the first undergraduate baccalaureate program of study and first post-baccalaureate program of study combined.
(b) A graduate student is eligible to receive the equivalent of up to two Scheduled Awards during the period required for the completion of a TEACH Grant-eligible master's degree program of study.
§ 686.4   Institutional participation.
(a) A TEACH Grant-eligible institution that offers one or more TEACH Grant-eligible programs may elect to participate in the TEACH Grant program.
(b) If an institution begins participation in the TEACH Grant program during an award year, a student enrolled at and attending that institution is eligible to receive a grant under this part for the payment period during which the institution begins participation and any subsequent payment period.
(c) If an institution ceases to participate in the TEACH Grant program or becomes ineligible to participate in the TEACH Grant program during an award year, a student who was attending the institution and who submitted a SAR with an official EFC to the institution, or for whom the institution obtained an ISIR with an official EFC, before the date the institution became ineligible will receive a TEACH Grant for that award year for—
(1) The payment periods that the student completed before the institution ceased participation or became ineligible to participate; and
(2) The payment period in which the institution ceased participation or became ineligible to participate.
(d) An institution that ceases to participate in the TEACH Grant program or becomes ineligible to participate in the TEACH Grant program must, within 45 days after the effective date of the loss of eligibility, provide to the Secretary—
(1) The name and other student identifiers as required by the Secretary of each eligible student under § 686.11 who, during the award year, submitted a SAR with an official EFC to the institution or for whom it obtained an ISIR with an official EFC before it ceased to participate in the TEACH Grant program or became ineligible to participate;
(2) The amount of funds paid to each student for that award year;
(3) The amount due each student eligible to receive a grant through the end of the payment period during which the institution ceased to participate in the TEACH Grant program or became ineligible to participate; and
(4) An accounting of the TEACH Grant program expenditures for that award year to the date of termination.
§ 686.5   Enrollment status for students taking regular and correspondence courses.
(a) If, in addition to regular coursework, a student takes correspondence courses from either his or her own institution or another institution having an arrangement for this purpose with the student's institution, the correspondence work may be included in determining the student's enrollment status to the extent permitted under paragraph (b) of this section.
(b) Except as noted in paragraph (c) of this section, the correspondence work that may be included in determining a student's enrollment status is that amount of work that—
(1) Applies toward a student's degree or post-baccalaureate program of study or is remedial work taken by the student to help in his or her TEACH Grant-eligible program;
(2) Is completed within the period of time required for regular coursework; and
(3) Does not exceed the amount of a student's regular coursework for the payment period for which enrollment status is being calculated.
(c)(1) Notwithstanding the limitation in paragraph (b)(3) of this section, a student who would be a half-time student based solely on his or her correspondence work is considered a half-time student unless the calculation in paragraph (b) of this section produces an enrollment status greater than half-time.
(2) A student who would be a less-than-half-time student based solely on his or her correspondence work or a combination of correspondence work and regular coursework is considered a less-than-half-time student.
(d) The following chart provides examples of the application of the regulations set forth in this section. It assumes that the institution defines full-time enrollment as 12 credits per term, making half-time enrollment equal to six credits per term.
* Any combination of regular and correspondence work that is greater than zero, but less than six hours.
§ 686.6   Payment from more than one institution.
A student may not receive grant payments under this part concurrently from more than one institution.
§ 686.10   Application.
To receive a grant under this part, a student must—
(a) Complete and submit the Free application for Federal student aid (FAFSA) in accordance with the instructions in the FAFSA;
(b) Complete and sign an agreement to serve or repay in accordance with § 686.12; and
(c) Provide any additional information requested by the Secretary and the institution.
§ 686.11   Eligibility to receive a grant.
(a) Undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, and graduate students. (1) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, a student who meets the requirements of 34 CFR part 668, subpart C, is eligible to receive a TEACH Grant if the student—
(i) Has met the application requirements in § 686.10;
(ii) Is enrolled in a TEACH Grant-eligible institution in a TEACH Grant-eligible program;
(iii) Is completing coursework and other requirements necessary to begin a career in teaching or plans to complete such coursework and requirements prior to graduating; and
(iv) Has—
(A) If the student is in the first year of a program of undergraduate education as determined by the institution—
( 1 ) A final cumulative secondary school grade point average (GPA) upon graduation of at least 3.25 on a 4.0 scale, or the numeric equivalent; or
( 2 ) A cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 on a 4.0 scale, or the numeric equivalent, based on courses taken at the institution through the most-recently completed payment period;
(B) If the student is beyond the first year of a program of undergraduate education as determined by the institution, a cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.25 on a 4.0 scale, or the numeric equivalent, through the most recently completed payment period;
(C) If the student is a graduate student during the first payment period, a cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.25 on a 4.0 scale, or the numeric equivalent;
(D) If the student is a graduate student beyond the first payment period, a cumulative graduate GPA of at least 3.25 on a 4.0 scale, or the numeric equivalent, through the most-recently completed payment period; or
(E) A score above the 75th percentile of scores achieved by all students taking the test during the period the student took the test on at least one of the batteries from a nationally-normed standardized undergraduate, graduate, or post-baccalaureate admissions test, except that such test may not include a placement test.
(2)(i) An institution must document the student's secondary school GPA under § 686.11(a)(1)(v)(A) using—
(A) Documentation provided directly to the institution by the cognizant authority; or
(B) Documentation from the cognizant authority provided by the student.
(ii) A cognizant authority includes, but is not limited to—
(A) An LEA;
(B) An SEA or other State agency; or
(C) A public or private secondary school.
(iii) A home-schooled student's parent or guardian is the cognizant authority for purposes of providing the documentation of a home-schooled student's secondary school GPA.
(iv) If an institution has reason to believe the documentation provided by a student under paragraph (a)(2)(i)(B) of this section is inaccurate or incomplete, the institution must confirm the student's grades by using documentation provided directly to the institution by the cognizant authority.
(b) Current or former teachers or retirees. A student who has met the application requirements in § 686.10 and meets the requirements of 34 CFR part 668, subpart C, is eligible to receive a TEACH Grant if the student—
(1) Is a current teacher or retiree who is applying for a grant to obtain a master's degree or is or was a teacher who is pursuing certification through a high-quality alternative certification route; and
(2) Is enrolled in a TEACH Grant-eligible institution in a TEACH Grant-eligible program during the period required for the completion of a master's degree.
(c) Transfer students. If a student transfers from one institution to the current institution and does not qualify under § 686.11(a)(1)(v)(E), the current institution must determine that student's eligibility for a TEACH Grant for the first payment period using either the method described in paragraph (c)(1) of this section or the method described in paragraph (c)(2) of this section, whichever method coincides with the current institution's academic policy. For an eligible student who transfers to an institution that—
(1) Does not incorporate grades from coursework that it accepts on transfer into the student's GPA at the current institution, the current institution, for the courses accepted upon transfer—
(i) Must calculate the student's GPA for the first payment period of enrollment using the grades earned by the student in the coursework from any prior postsecondary institution that it accepts; and
(ii) Must, for all subsequent payment periods, apply its academic policy and not incorporate the grades from the coursework that it accepts on transfer into the GPA at the current institution; or
(2) Incorporates grades from the coursework that it accepts on transfer into the student's GPA at the current institution, the current institution must use the grades assigned to the coursework accepted by the current institution as the student's cumulative GPA to determine eligibility for the first payment period of enrollment and all subsequent payment periods in accordance with its academic policy.
§ 686.12   Agreement to serve or repay.
(a) General. A student who meets the eligibility requirements in § 686.11 may receive a TEACH Grant only after he or she signs an agreement to serve or repay provided by the Secretary and receives counseling in accordance with § 686.32.
(b) Contents of the agreement to serve or repay. The agreement to serve or repay—
(1) Provides that, for each TEACH Grant-eligible program for which the student received TEACH Grant funds, the grant recipient must fulfill a service obligation by performing creditable teaching service by serving—
(i) As a full-time teacher for a total of not less than four elementary or secondary academic years within eight years after the date the recipient ceased to be enrolled at the institution where the recipient received the TEACH Grant, or in the case of a student who receives a TEACH Grant at one institution and subsequently transfers to another institution and enrolls in another TEACH Grant-eligible program, within eight years of ceasing enrollment at the other institution;
(ii) In a low-income school as defined in § 686.2(d) and subject to the requirements under § 686.40(a)(3);
(iii) As a highly qualified teacher as defined in § 686.2(d); and
(iv) In a high-need field in the majority of classes taught during each elementary and secondary academic year;
(2) Requires the grant recipient to submit, upon completion of each year of service, documentation of the service in the form of a certification by a chief administrative officer of the school;
(3) Explains that the eight-year period for completing the service obligation does not include periods of suspension in accordance with § 686.41;
(4) Explains the conditions under which a TEACH Grant may be converted to a Direct Unsubsidized Loan, as described in § 686.43;
(5) Explains that, if a TEACH Grant is converted to a Direct Unsubsidized Loan, the grant recipient must repay the loan in full, with interest charged from the date of each TEACH Grant disbursement; and
(6) Explains that to avoid further accrual of interest as described in paragraph (b)(5) of this section, a grant recipient who decides not to teach in a qualified school or field, or who for any other reason no longer intends to satisfy the service obligation, may request that the Secretary convert his or her TEACH Grant to a Direct Unsubsidized Loan so that the grant recipient may begin repaying immediately, instead of waiting for the TEACH Grant to be converted to a loan under the condition described in § 686.43(a)(1)(ii); and
(7) Explains that a grant recipient whose TEACH Grant was converted to a Direct Unsubsidized Loan based on a request from the recipient in accordance with § 686.43(a)(1)(i) may request that the Secretary reconvert the recipient's loan to a TEACH Grant as provided in § 686.43(a)(8); and
(8) Requires the grant recipient to comply with the terms, conditions, and other requirements consistent with §§ 686.40 through 686.43 that the Secretary determines to be necessary.
(c) Completion of the service obligation. (1) A grant recipient must complete one service obligation for all TEACH Grants received for undergraduate study, and one service obligation for all TEACH Grants received for graduate study. Each service obligation begins when the grant recipient ceases enrollment at the institution where the TEACH Grants were received, or, in the case of a grant recipient who receives a TEACH Grant at one institution and subsequently transfers to another institution, within eight years from the date the grant recipient ceases enrollment at the other institution. However, creditable teaching service, a suspension approved under § 686.41(a)(2), or a military discharge granted under § 686.42(c)(2) may apply to more than one service obligation.
(2) Unless paragraph (c)(3) of this section applies—
(i) In the case of a TEACH Grant recipient who withdraws from an institution before completing a baccalaureate or post-baccalaureate program of study for which he or she received TEACH Grants, but later re-enrolls at the same institution or at a different institution in either the same baccalaureate or post-baccalaureate program or in a different TEACH Grant-eligible baccalaureate or post-baccalaureate program prior to the date that his or her TEACH Grants are converted to Direct Unsubsidized Loans under § 686.43(a)(1)(ii) and receives additional TEACH Grants or the Secretary otherwise confirms that the grant recipient has re-enrolled in a TEACH Grant-eligible program, the Secretary adjusts the starting date of the period for completing the service obligation to begin when the grant recipient ceases to be enrolled at the institution where he or she has re-enrolled; and
(ii) In the case of a TEACH Grant recipient who withdraws from an institution before completing a master's degree program of study for which he or she received TEACH Grants, but later re-enrolls at the same institution or at a different institution in either the same master's degree program or in a different TEACH Grant eligible master's degree program prior to the date that his or her TEACH Grants are converted to Direct Unsubsidized Loans under § 686.43(a)(1)(ii) and receives additional TEACH Grants or the Secretary otherwise confirms that the grant recipient has re-enrolled in a TEACH Grant-eligible program, the Secretary adjusts the starting date of the period for completing the service obligation to begin when the grant recipient ceases to be enrolled at the institution where he or she has re-enrolled.
(3) In the case of a TEACH Grant recipient covered under paragraph (c)(2)(i) or (ii) of this section who completed one or more complete academic years of creditable teaching service as described in § 686.12(b) during the period between the grant recipient's withdrawal and re-enrollment—
(i) The Secretary does not adjust the starting date of the period for completing the service obligation unless requested by the recipient;
(ii) The completed teaching service counts toward satisfaction of the grant recipient's service obligation under paragraph (c)(2)(i) of this section; and
(iii) If the grant recipient continues to perform creditable teaching service after re-enrolling in a TEACH Grant-eligible program, the grant recipient may receive credit toward satisfaction of the service obligation for any complete academic years of creditable teaching performed while the recipient is concurrently enrolled in the TEACH Grant-eligible program only if the recipient does not request and receive a temporary suspension of the period for completing the service obligation under § 686.41(a)(1)(i).
(d) Teaching in a high-need field listed in the Nationwide List. For a grant recipient's teaching service in a high-need field listed in the Nationwide List to count toward satisfying the recipient's service obligation, the high-need field in which he or she prepared to teach must be listed in the Nationwide List for the State in which the grant recipient teaches—
(1) For teaching service performed before July 1, 2010, at the time the grant recipient begins teaching in that field, even if that field subsequently loses its high-need designation for that State; or
(2) For teaching service performed on or after July 1, 2010—
(i) At the time the grant recipient begins teaching in that field, even if that field subsequently loses its high-need designation for that State; or
(ii) At the time the grant recipient signed the agreement to serve or repay or received the TEACH Grant, even if that field subsequently loses its high-need designation for that State before the grant recipient begins teaching in that field.
§ 686.20   Submission process and deadline for a SAR or ISIR.
(a) Submission process. (1) Except as provided in paragraph (a)(2) of this section, an institution must disburse a TEACH Grant to a student who is eligible under § 686.11 and is otherwise qualified to receive that disbursement and electronically transmit disbursement data to the Secretary for that student if—
(i) The student submits a SAR with an official EFC to the institution; or
(ii) The institution obtains an ISIR with an official EFC for the student.
(2) In determining a student's eligibility to receive a grant under this part, an institution is entitled to assume that the SAR information or ISIR information is accurate and complete except under the conditions set forth in 34 CFR 668.16(f).
(b) SAR or ISIR deadline. Except as provided in 34 CFR 668.164(g), for a student to receive a grant under this part in an award year, the student must submit the relevant parts of the SAR with an official EFC to his or her institution or the institution must obtain an ISIR with an official EFC by the earlier of—
(1) The last date that the student is still enrolled and eligible for payment at that institution; or
(2) By the deadline date established by the Secretary through publication of a notice in the Federal Register.
§ 686.21   Calculation of a grant.
(a)(1)(i) The Scheduled Award for a TEACH Grant for an eligible student is $4,000.
(ii) Each Scheduled Award remains available to an eligible student until the $4,000 is disbursed.
(2)(i) The total amount that a student may receive in TEACH Grants for undergraduate and post-baccalaureate study may not exceed $16,000.
(ii) The total amount that a student may receive in TEACH Grants for graduate study may not exceed $8,000.
(b) The annual award for—
(1) A full-time student is $4,000;
(2) A three-quarter-time student is $3,000;
(3) A half-time student is $2,000; and
(4) A less-than-half-time student is $1,000.
(c) Except as provided in paragraph (d) of this section, the amount of a student's grant under this part, in combination with the other student financial assistance available to the student, including the amount of a Federal Pell Grant for which the student is eligible, may not exceed the student's cost of attendance at the TEACH Grant-eligible institution. Other student financial assistance is estimated financial assistance, as defined in 34 CFR 673.5(c).
(d) A TEACH Grant may replace a student's EFC, but the amount of the grant that exceeds the student's EFC is considered estimated financial assistance, as defined in 34 CFR 673.5(c).
(e) In determining a student's payment for a payment period, an institution must include—
(1) In accordance with 34 CFR 668.20, any noncredit or reduced credit courses that an institution determines are necessary—
(i) To help a student be prepared for the pursuit of a first undergraduate baccalaureate or post-baccalaureate degree or certificate; or
(ii) In the case of English language instruction, to enable the student to utilize already existing knowledge, training, or skills; and
(2) In accordance with 34 CFR 668.5, a student's participation in a program of study abroad if it is approved for credit by the home institution at which the student is enrolled.
§ 686.22   Calculation of a grant for a payment period.
(a) Eligibility for payment formula —(1) Programs using standard terms with at least 30 weeks of instructional time. A student's grant for a payment period is calculated under paragraph (b) or (d) of this section if—
(i) The student is enrolled in an eligible program that—
(A) Measures progress in credit hours;
(B) Is offered in semesters, trimesters, or quarters; and
(C)( 1 ) For an undergraduate student, requires the student to enroll for at least 12 credit hours in each term in the award year to qualify as a full-time student; or
( 2 ) For a graduate student, each term in the award year meets the minimum full-time enrollment status established by the institution for a semester, trimester, or quarter; and
(ii) The program uses an academic calendar that provides at least 30 weeks of instructional time in—
(A) Two semesters or trimesters in the fall through the following spring, or three quarters in the fall, winter, and spring, none of which overlaps any other term (including a summer term) in the program; or
(B) Any two semesters or trimesters, or any three quarters where—
( 1 ) The institution starts its terms for different cohorts of students on a periodic basis ( e.g. , monthly);
( 2 ) The program is offered exclusively in semesters, trimesters, or quarters; and
( 3 ) Students are not allowed to be enrolled simultaneously in overlapping terms and must stay with the cohort in which they start unless they withdraw from a term (or skip a term) and reenroll in a subsequent term.
(2) Programs using standard terms with less than 30 weeks of instructional time. A student's payment for a payment period is calculated under paragraph (c) or (d) of this section if—
(i) The student is enrolled in an eligible program that—
(A) Measures progress in credit hours;
(B) Is offered in semesters, trimesters, or quarters;
(C)( 1 ) For an undergraduate student, requires the student to enroll in at least 12 credit hours in each term in the award year to qualify as a full-time student; or
( 2 ) For a graduate student, each term in the award year meets the minimum full-time enrollment status established by the institution for a semester, trimester, or quarter; and
(D) Is not offered with overlapping terms; and
(ii) The institution offering the program—
(A) Provides the program using an academic calendar that includes two semesters or trimesters in the fall through the following spring, or three quarters in the fall, winter, and spring; and
(B) Does not provide at least 30 weeks of instructional time in the terms specified in paragraph (a)(2)(ii)(A) of this section.
(3) Other programs using terms and credit hours. A student's payment for a payment period is calculated under paragraph (d) of this section if the student is enrolled in an eligible program that—
(i) Measures progress in credit hours; and
(ii) Is offered in academic terms other than those described in paragraphs (a)(1) and (2) of this section.
(4) Programs not using terms or using clock hours. A student's payment for any payment period is calculated under paragraph (e) of this section if the student is enrolled in an eligible program that—
(i) Is offered in credit hours but is not offered in academic terms; or
(ii) Is offered in clock hours.
(5) Programs for which an exception to the academic year definition has been granted under 34 CFR 668.3. If an institution receives a waiver from the Secretary of the 30 weeks of instructional time requirement under 34 CFR 668.3, an institution may calculate a student's payment for a payment period using the following methodologies:
(i) If the program is offered in terms and credit hours, the institution uses the methodology in—
(A) Paragraph (b) of this section provided that the program meets all the criteria in paragraph (a)(1) of this section, except that in lieu of meeting the requirements in paragraph (a)(1)(ii)(B) of this section, the program provides at least the same number of weeks of instructional time in the terms specified in paragraph (a)(1)(ii)(A) of this section as are in the program's academic year; or
(B) Paragraph (d) of this section.
(ii) The institution uses the methodology described in paragraph (e) of this section if the program is offered in credit hours without terms.
(b) Programs using standard terms with at least 30 weeks of instructional time. The payment for a payment period, i.e. , an academic term, for a student in a program using standard terms with at least 30 weeks of instructional time in two semesters or trimesters or in three quarters as described in paragraph (a)(1)(ii) of this section, is calculated by—
(1) Determining his or her enrollment status for the term;
(2) Based upon that enrollment status, determining his or her annual award; and
(3) Dividing the amount described in paragraph (b)(2) of this section by—
(i) Two at institutions using semesters or trimesters or three at institutions using quarters; or
(ii) The number of terms over which the institution chooses to distribute the student's annual award if—
(A) An institution chooses to distribute all of the student's annual award determined under paragraph (b)(2) of this section over more than two terms at institutions using semesters or trimesters or more than three quarters at institutions using quarters; and
(B) The number of weeks of instructional time in the terms, including the additional term or terms, equals the weeks of instructional time in the program's academic year.
(c) Programs using standard terms with less than 30 weeks of instructional time. The payment for a payment period, i.e. , an academic term, for a student in a program using standard terms with less than 30 weeks of instructional time in two semesters or trimesters or in three quarters as described in paragraph (a)(2)(ii)(A) of this section, is calculated by—
(1) Determining his or her enrollment status for the term;
(2) Based upon that enrollment status, determining his or her annual award;
(3) Multiplying his or her annual award determined under paragraph (c)(2) of this section by the following fraction as applicable:
(i) In a program using semesters or trimesters—
The number of weeks of instructional time offered in the program in the fall and spring semesters or trimesters
The number of weeks in the program's academic year
(ii) In a program using quarters—
(4)(i) Dividing the amount determined under paragraph (c)(3) of this section by two for programs using semesters or trimesters or three for programs using quarters; or
(ii) Dividing the student's annual award determined under paragraph (c)(2) of this section by the number of terms over which the institution chooses to distribute the student's annual award if—
(A) An institution chooses to distribute all of the student's annual award determined under paragraph (c)(2) of this section over more than two terms for programs using semesters or trimesters or more than three quarters for programs using quarters; and
(B) The number of weeks of instructional time in the terms, including the additional term or terms, equals the weeks of instructional time in the program's academic year definition.
(d) Other programs using terms and credit hours. The payment for a payment period, i.e. , an academic term, for a student in a program using terms and credit hours, other than those described in paragraph (a)(1) or (2) of this section, is calculated by—
(1) Determining his or her enrollment status for the term;
(2) Based upon that enrollment status, determining his or her annual award; and
(3) Multiplying his or her annual award determined under paragraph (d)(2) of this section by the following fraction:
(e) Programs using credit hours without terms or clock hours. The payment for a payment period for a student in a program using credit hours without terms or using clock hours is calculated by multiplying the Scheduled Award by the lesser of—
(1)
(2)
(f) Maximum disbursement. A single disbursement may not exceed 50 percent of an award determined under paragraph (d) of this section. If a payment for a payment period calculated under paragraph (d) of this section would require the disbursement of more than 50 percent of a student's annual award in that payment period, the institution must make at least two disbursements to the student in that payment period. The institution may not disburse an amount that exceeds 50 percent of the student's annual award until the student has completed the period of time in the payment period that equals, in terms of weeks of instructional time, 50 percent of the weeks of instructional time in the program's academic year.
(g) Minimum payment. No payment for a payment period as determined under this section or § 686.25 may be less than $25.
(h) Definition of academic year. For purposes of this section and § 686.25, an institution must define an academic year—
(1) For each of its TEACH Grant-eligible undergraduate programs of study, including post-baccalaureate programs of study, in terms of the number of credit or clock hours and weeks of instructional time in accordance with the requirements of 34 CFR 668.3; and
(2) For each of its TEACH Grant-eligible master's degree programs of study in terms of the number of weeks of instructional time in accordance with the requirements of 34 CFR 668.3 and the minimum number of credit or clock hours a full-time student would be expected to complete in the weeks of instructional time of the program's academic year.
(i) Payment period completing a Scheduled Award. In a payment period, if a student is completing a Scheduled Award, the student's payment for the payment period—
(1) Is calculated based on the total credit or clock hours and weeks of instructional time in the payment period; and
(2) Is the remaining amount of the Scheduled Award being completed plus an amount from the next Scheduled Award, if available, up to the payment for the payment period.
§ 686.23   Calculation of a grant for a payment period that occurs in two award years.
If a student enrolls in a payment period that is scheduled to occur in two award years—
(a) The entire payment period must be considered to occur within one award year;
(b) The institution must determine for each TEACH Grant recipient the award year in which the payment period will be placed subject to the restriction set forth in paragraph (c) of this section;
(c) The institution must place a payment period with more than six months scheduled to occur within one award year in that award year;
(d) If the institution places the payment period in the first award year, it must pay a student with funds from the first award year; and
(e) If the institution places the payment period in the second award year, it must pay a student with funds from the second award year.
§ 686.24   Transfer student: attendance at more than one institution during an award year.
(a) If a student who receives a TEACH Grant at one institution subsequently enrolls at a second institution, the student may receive a grant at the second institution only if—
(1) The student submits a SAR with an official EFC to the second institution; or
(2) The second institution obtains an ISIR with an official EFC.
(b) The second institution must calculate the student's award in accordance with § 686.22 or 686.25.
(c) The second institution may pay a TEACH Grant only for that period in which a student is enrolled in a TEACH Grant-eligible program at that institution.
(d) The student's TEACH Grant for each payment period is calculated according to the procedures in § 686.22 or 686.25 unless the remaining balance of the Scheduled Award at the second institution is the balance of the student's last Scheduled Award and is less than the amount the student would normally receive for that payment period.
(e) A transfer student must repay any amount received in an award year that exceeds the amount which he or she was eligible to receive.
§ 686.25   Correspondence study.
(a) An institution calculates a TEACH Grant for a payment period for a student in a program of study offered by correspondence courses without terms, but not including any residential component, by—
(1) Using the half-time annual award; and
(2) Multiplying the half-time annual award by the lesser of—
(i)
(ii)
(b) For purposes of paragraph (a) of this section—
(1) The institution must make the first payment to a student for an academic year, as calculated under paragraph (a) of this section, after the student submits 25 percent of the lessons or otherwise completes 25 percent of the work scheduled for the program or the academic year, whichever occurs last; and
(2) The institution must make the second payment to a student for an academic year, as calculated under paragraph (a) of this section, after the student submits 75 percent of the lessons or otherwise completes 75 percent of the work scheduled for the program or the academic year, whichever occurs last.
(c) In a program of correspondence study offered by correspondence courses using terms but not including any residential component—
(1) The institution must prepare a written schedule for submission of lessons that reflects a workload of at least 30 hours of preparation per semester hour or 20 hours of preparation per quarter hour during the term;
(2)(i) If the student is enrolled in at least six credit hours that commence and are completed in that term, the half-time annual award is used to calculate the payment for the payment period; or
(ii) If the student is enrolled in less than six credit hours that commence and are completed in that term the less-than-half-time annual award is used to calculate the payment for the payment period;
(3) A payment for a payment period is calculated using the formula in § 686.22(d) except that paragraphs (c)(1) and (2) of this section are used in lieu of § 686.22(d)(1) and (2), respectively; and
(4) The institution must make the payment to a student for a payment period after that student completes 50 percent of the lessons or otherwise completes 50 percent of the work scheduled for the term, whichever occurs last.
(d) Payments for periods of residential training must be calculated under § 686.22(d) if the residential training is offered using terms and credit hours or under § 686.22(e) if the residential training is offered using credit hours without terms or clock hours.
§ 686.30   Scope.
This subpart deals with TEACH Grant program administration by a TEACH Grant-eligible institution.
§ 686.31   Determination of eligibility for payment and cancellation of a TEACH Grant.
(a) For each payment period, an institution may pay a grant under this part to an eligible student only after it determines that the student—
(1) Is eligible under § 686.11;
(2) Has completed the relevant initial or subsequent counseling as required in § 686.32;
(3) Has signed an agreement to serve or repay as described in § 686.12;
(4) Is enrolled in a TEACH Grant-eligible program; and
(5) If enrolled in a credit-hour program without terms or a clock-hour program, has completed the payment period, as defined in 34 CFR 668.4, for which he or she has been paid a grant.
(b)(1) If an institution determines at the beginning of a payment period that a student is not maintaining satisfactory progress, but changes that determination before the end of the payment period, the institution may pay a TEACH Grant to the student for the entire payment period.
(2) If an institution determines at the beginning of a payment period that a student enrolled in a TEACH Grant-eligible program is not maintaining the required GPA for a TEACH Grant under § 686.11 or is not pursuing a career in teaching, but changes that determination before the end of the payment period, the institution may pay a TEACH Grant to the student for the entire payment period.
(c) If an institution determines at the beginning of a payment period that a student is not maintaining satisfactory progress or the necessary GPA for a TEACH Grant under § 686.11 or is not pursuing a career in teaching, but changes that determination after the end of the payment period, the institution may not pay the student a TEACH Grant for that payment period or make adjustments in subsequent payments to compensate for the loss of aid for that period.
(d) An institution may make one disbursement for a payment period to an otherwise eligible student if—
(1)(i) The student's final high school GPA is not yet available; or
(ii) The student's cumulative GPA through the prior payment period under § 686.11 is not yet available; and
(2) The institution assumes liability for any overpayment if the student fails to meet the required GPA to qualify for the disbursement.
(e)(1) In accordance with 34 CFR 668.165, before disbursing a TEACH Grant for any award year, an institution must—
(i) Notify the student of the amount of TEACH Grant funds that the student is eligible to receive, how and when those funds will be disbursed, and the student's right to cancel all or a portion of the TEACH Grant; and
(ii) Return the TEACH Grant proceeds, cancel the TEACH Grant, or both, if the institution receives a TEACH Grant cancellation request from the student by the later of the first day of a payment period or 14 days after the date it notifies the student of his or her right to cancel all or a portion of a TEACH Grant.
(2)(i) If a student requests cancellation of a TEACH Grant after the period of time in paragraph (e)(1)(ii) of this section, but within 120 days of the TEACH Grant disbursement date, the institution may return the TEACH Grant proceeds, cancel the TEACH Grant, or do both.
(ii) If the institution does not return the TEACH Grant proceeds, or cancel the TEACH Grant, the institution must notify the student that he or she may contact the Secretary to request that the TEACH Grant be converted to a Direct Unsubsidized Loan Direct Unsubsidized Loan.
§ 686.32   Counseling requirements.
(a) Initial counseling. (1) An institution must ensure that initial counseling is conducted with each TEACH Grant recipient prior to making the first disbursement of the grant.
(2) The initial counseling must be in person, by audiovisual presentation, or by interactive electronic means. In each case, the institution must ensure that an individual with expertise in title IV, HEA programs is reasonably available shortly after the counseling to answer the student's questions. As an alternative, in the case of a student enrolled in a correspondence program of study or a study-abroad program of study approved for credit at the home institution, the student may be provided with written counseling materials before the grant is disbursed.
(3) The initial counseling must—
(i) Explain the terms and conditions of the TEACH Grant agreement to serve or repay as described in § 686.12;
(ii) Provide the grant recipient with information about how to identify low-income schools and documented high-need fields;
(iii) Inform the grant recipient that, for the teaching to count towards the recipient's service obligation, the high-need field in which he or she has prepared to teach must be—
(A) One of the six high-need fields listed in § 686.2; or
(B) A high-need field that is listed in the Nationwide List for the State in which the grant recipient teaches—
( 1 ) At the time the grant recipient begins teaching in that field, even if that field subsequently loses its high-need designation for that State; or
( 2 ) For teaching service performed on or after July 1, 2010, at the time the grant recipient signed the agreement to serve or repay or received the TEACH Grant, even if that field subsequently loses its high-need designation for that State before the grant recipient begins teaching in that field;
(iv) Inform the grant recipient of the opportunity to request a suspension of the eight-year period for completion of the agreement to serve or repay and the conditions under which a suspension may be granted in accordance with § 686.41;
(v) Explain to the grant recipient that conditions, such as conviction of a felony, could preclude the grant recipient from completing the service obligation;
(vi) Emphasize to the grant recipient that if the grant recipient fails or refuses to complete the service obligation contained in the agreement to serve or repay or any other condition of the agreement to serve or repay—
(A) The TEACH Grant must be repaid as a Direct Unsubsidized Loan; and
(B) The grant recipient will be obligated to repay the full amount of each grant and the accrued interest from each disbursement date;
(vii) Explain the circumstances, as described in § 686.43, under which a TEACH Grant will be converted to a Direct Unsubsidized Loan;
(viii) Explain that to avoid further accrual of interest as described in § 686.12(b)(4)(ii), a grant recipient who decides not to teach in a qualified school or field, or who for any other reason no longer intends to satisfy the service obligation, may request that the Secretary convert his or her TEACH Grant to a Direct Unsubsidized Loan that the grant recipient may begin repaying immediately, instead of waiting for the TEACH Grant to be converted to a loan under the condition described in § 686.43(a)(1)(ii);
(ix) Emphasize that, once a TEACH Grant is converted to a Direct Unsubsidized Loan, it may be reconverted to a grant only if—
(A) The Secretary determines, based on documentation provided by the recipient or in the Secretary's records, that the grant recipient was satisfying the service obligation as described in § 686.12 or that the grant was converted to a loan in error; or
(B) In the case of a grant recipient whose TEACH Grant was converted to a Direct Unsubsidized Loan in accordance with § 686.43(a)(1)(i), the grant recipient requests that the Secretary reconvert the loan to a grant and is determined to be eligible for reconversion in accordance with § 686.43(a)(8);
(x) Review for the grant recipient information on the availability of the Department's Federal Student Aid Ombudsman's office;
(xi) Describe the likely consequences of loan default, including adverse credit reports, garnishment of wages, Federal offset, and litigation; and
(xii) Inform the grant recipient of sample monthly repayment amounts based on a range of student loan indebtedness.
(b) Subsequent counseling. (1) If a student receives more than one TEACH Grant, the institution must ensure that the student receives additional counseling prior to the first disbursement of each subsequent TEACH Grant award.
(2) Subsequent counseling may be in person, by audiovisual presentation, or by interactive electronic means. In each case, the institution must ensure that an individual with expertise in title IV, HEA programs is reasonably available shortly after the counseling to answer the student's questions. As an alternative, in the case of a student enrolled in a correspondence program of study or a study-abroad program of study approved for credit at the home institution, the student may be provided with written counseling materials before the grant is disbursed.
(3) Subsequent counseling must—
(i) Review the terms and conditions of the TEACH Grant agreement to serve or repay as described in § 686.12;
(ii) Emphasize to the grant recipient that if the grant recipient fails or refuses to complete the service obligation contained in the agreement to serve or repay or any other condition of the agreement to serve or repay—
(A) The TEACH Grant must be repaid as a Direct Unsubsidized Loan; and
(B) The grant recipient will be obligated to repay the full amount of the grant and the accrued interest from the disbursement date;
(iii) Explain the circumstances, as described in § 686.43, under which a TEACH Grant will be converted to a Direct Unsubsidized Loan;
(iv) Explain that to avoid further accrual of interest as described in § 686.12(b)(4)(ii), a grant recipient who decides not to teach in a qualified school or field, or who for any other reason no longer intends to satisfy the service obligation, may request that the Secretary convert his or her TEACH Grant to a Direct Unsubsidized Loan that the grant recipient may begin repaying immediately, instead of waiting for the TEACH Grant to be converted to a loan under the condition described in § 686.43(a)(1)(ii);
(v) Emphasize that, once a TEACH Grant is converted to a Direct Unsubsidized Loan, it may be reconverted to a grant only if—
(A) The Secretary determines, based on documentation provided by the recipient or in the Secretary's records, that the grant recipient was satisfying the service obligation as described in § 686.12 or that the grant was converted to a loan in error; or
(B) In the case of a grant recipient whose TEACH Grant was converted to a Direct Unsubsidized Loan in accordance with § 686.43(a)(1)(i), the grant recipient requests that the Secretary reconvert the loan to a grant and is determined to be eligible for reconversion in accordance with § 686.43(a)(8); and
(vi) Review for the grant recipient information on the availability of the Department's Federal Student Aid Ombudsman's office.
(c) Exit counseling. (1) An institution must ensure that exit counseling is conducted with each grant recipient before he or she ceases to attend the institution at a time determined by the institution.
(2) The exit counseling must be in person, by audiovisual presentation, or by interactive electronic means. In each case, the institution must ensure that an individual with expertise in title IV, HEA programs is reasonably available shortly after the counseling to answer the grant recipient's questions. As an alternative, in the case of a grant recipient enrolled in a correspondence program of study or a study-abroad program of study approved for credit at the home institution, the grant recipient may be provided with written counseling materials within 30 days after he or she completes the TEACH Grant-eligible program.
(3) Within 30 days of learning that a grant recipient has withdrawn from the institution without the institution's knowledge, or from a TEACH Grant-eligible program, or failed to complete exit counseling as required, exit counseling must be provided either in-person, through interactive electronic means, or by mailing written counseling materials to the grant recipient's last known address.
(4) The exit counseling must—
(i) Review the terms and conditions of the TEACH Grant agreement to serve or repay as described in § 686.12 and emphasize to the grant recipient that the four-year service obligation must be completed within the eight-year period described in § 686.12;
(ii) Explain the treatment of a grant recipient who withdraws from and then reenrolls in a TEACH Grant-eligible program at a TEACH Grant eligible institution as described in § 686.12(c);
(iii) Inform the grant recipient of the opportunity to request a suspension of the eight-year period for completion of the service obligation and the conditions under which a suspension may be granted in accordance with § 686.41;
(iv) Provide the grant recipient with information about how to identify low-income schools and documented high-need fields;
(v) Inform the grant recipient that, for the teaching to count towards the recipient's service obligation, the high-need field in which he or she has prepared to teach must be—
(A) One of the six high-need fields listed in § 686.2; or
(B) A high-need field that is listed in the Nationwide List for the State in which the grant recipient teaches—
( 1 ) At the time the grant recipient begins teaching in that field, even if that field subsequently loses its high-need designation for that State; or
( 2 ) For teaching service performed on or after July 1, 2010, at the time the grant recipient signed the agreement to serve or repay or received the TEACH Grant, even if that field subsequently loses its high-need designation for that State before the grant recipient begins teaching in that field;
(vi) Emphasize to the grant recipient that if the grant recipient fails or refuses to complete the service obligation contained in the agreement to serve or repay or fails to meet any other condition of the agreement to serve or repay—
(A) The TEACH Grant must be repaid as a Direct Unsubsidized Loan; and
(B) The grant recipient will be obligated to repay the full amount of each grant and the accrued interest from each disbursement date;
(vii) Explain to the grant recipient that the Secretary will, at least annually during the service obligation period, send the recipient the notice described in § 686.43(a)(2);
(viii) Explain the circumstances, as described in § 686.43, under which a TEACH Grant will be converted to a Direct Unsubsidized Loan;
(ix) Explain that to avoid further accrual of interest as described in § 686.12(b)(4)(ii), a grant recipient who decides not to teach in a qualified school or field, or who for any other reason no longer intends to satisfy the service obligation, may request that the Secretary convert his or her TEACH Grant to a Direct Unsubsidized Loan that the grant recipient may begin repaying immediately, instead of waiting for the TEACH Grant to be converted to a loan under the condition described in § 686.43(a)(1)(ii);
(x) Emphasize that once a TEACH Grant is converted to a Direct Unsubsidized Loan it may be reconverted to a grant only if—
(A) The Secretary determines, based on documentation provided by the recipient or in the Secretary's records, that the grant recipient was satisfying the service obligation as described in § 686.12 or that the grant was converted to a loan in error; or
(B) In the case of a grant recipient whose TEACH Grant was converted to a Direct Unsubsidized Loan in accordance with § 686.43(a)(1)(i), the grant recipient requests that the Secretary reconvert the loan to a grant and is determined to be eligible for reconversion in accordance with § 686.43(a)(8); and
(xi) Explain to the grant recipient how to contact the Secretary.
(5) If exit counseling is conducted through interactive electronic means, an institution must take reasonable steps to ensure that each grant recipient receives the counseling materials and participates in and completes the exit counseling.
(5) If exit counseling is conducted through interactive electronic means, an institution must take reasonable steps to ensure that each grant recipient receives the counseling materials and participates in and completes the exit counseling.
(d) Compliance. The institution must maintain documentation substantiating the institution's compliance with paragraphs (a) through (c) of this section for each TEACH Grant recipient.
(e) Conversion counseling. (1) At the time a TEACH Grant recipient's TEACH Grant is converted to a Direct Unsubsidized Loan, the Secretary conducts conversion counseling with the recipient by interactive electronic means and by mailing written counseling materials to the most recent address provided by the recipient.
(2) The conversion counseling—
(i) Informs the borrower of the average anticipated monthly repayment amount based on the borrower's indebtedness;
(ii) Reviews for the borrower available repayment plan options, including standard, graduated, extended, income-contingent, and income-based repayment plans, including a description of the different features of each plan and the difference in interest paid and total payments under each plan;
(iii) Explains to the borrower the options to prepay each loan, to pay each loan on a shorter schedule, and to change repayment plans;
(iv) Provides information on the effects of loan consolidation including, at a minimum—
(A) The effects of consolidation on total interest to be paid, and length of repayment;
(B) The effects of consolidation on a borrower's underlying loan benefits, including grace periods, loan forgiveness, cancellation, and deferment opportunities; and
(C) The options of the borrower to prepay the loan and to change repayment plans;
(v) Includes debt-management strategies that are designed to facilitate repayment;
(vi) Explains to the borrower the availability of Public Service Loan Forgiveness and teacher loan forgiveness;
(vii) Explains how the borrower may request reconsideration of the conversion of the TEACH Grant to a Direct Unsubsidized Loan if the borrower believes that the grant was converted to a loan in error, or if the borrower can provide documentation showing that he or she was satisfying the service obligation as described in § 686.12;
(viii) Describes the likely consequences of default, including adverse credit reports, delinquent debt collection procedures under Federal law, and litigation;
(ix) Informs the borrower of the grace period as described in § 686.43(c);
(x) Provides—
(A) A general description of the terms and conditions under which a borrower may obtain full or partial forgiveness or discharge of the loan (including under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program), defer repayment of the loan, or be granted a forbearance on repayment of the loan; and
(B) A copy, either in print or by electronic means, of the information the Secretary makes available pursuant to section 485(d) of the HEA;
(xi) Requires the borrower to provide current information concerning name, address, Social Security number, and driver's license number and State of issuance, as well as the borrower's permanent address;
(xii) Reviews for the borrower information on the availability of the Federal Student Aid Ombudsman's office;
(xiii) Informs the borrower of the availability of title IV loan information in the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) and how NSLDS can be used to obtain title IV loan status information;
(xiv) Provides a general description of the types of tax benefits that may be available to borrowers;
(xv) Informs the borrower of the amount of interest that has accrued on the converted TEACH Grants and explains that any unpaid interest will be capitalized at the end of the grace period; and
(xvi) In the case of a borrower whose TEACH Grant was converted to a Direct Unsubsidized Loan in accordance with § 686.43(a)(1)(i), explains that the borrower may request that the Secretary reconvert the loan to a grant as provided in § 686.43(a)(8).
§ 686.33   Frequency of payment.
(a) In each payment period, an institution may pay a student at such times and in such installments as it determines will best meet the student's needs.
(b) The institution may pay funds in one lump sum for all the prior payment periods for which the student was eligible under § 686.11 within the award year as long as the student has signed the agreement to serve prior to disbursement of the TEACH Grant. The student's enrollment status must be determined according to work already completed.
§ 686.34   Liability for and recovery of TEACH Grant overpayments.
(a)(1) Except as provided in paragraphs (a)(2) and (3) of this section, a student is liable for any TEACH Grant overpayment made to him or her.
(2) The institution is liable for a TEACH Grant overpayment if the overpayment occurred because the institution failed to follow the procedures set forth in this part or in 34 CFR part 668. The institution must restore an amount equal to the overpayment to its TEACH Grant account.
(3) A student is not liable for, and the institution is not required to attempt recovery of or refer to the Secretary, a TEACH Grant overpayment if the amount of the overpayment is less than $25 and is not a remaining balance.
(b)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (a)(3) of this section, if an institution makes a TEACH Grant overpayment for which it is not liable, it must promptly send a written notice to the student requesting repayment of the overpayment amount. The notice must state that failure to make the requested repayment, or to make arrangements satisfactory to the holder of the overpayment debt to repay the overpayment, makes the student ineligible for further title IV, HEA program funds until final resolution of the TEACH Grant overpayment.
(2) If a student objects to the institution's TEACH Grant overpayment determination, the institution must consider any information provided by the student and determine whether the objection is warranted.
(c) Except as provided in paragraph (a)(3) of this section, if the student fails to repay a TEACH Grant overpayment or make arrangements satisfactory to the holder of the overpayment debt to repay the TEACH Grant overpayment, after the institution has taken the action required by paragraph (b) of this section, the institution must refer the overpayment to the Secretary for collection in accordance with procedures required by the Secretary. After referring the TEACH Grant overpayment to the Secretary under this section, the institution need make no further efforts to recover the overpayment.
§ 686.35   Recalculation of TEACH Grant award amounts.
(a) Change in enrollment status. (1) If the student's enrollment status changes from one academic term to another academic term within the same award year, the institution must recalculate the TEACH Grant award for the new payment period taking into account any changes in the cost of attendance.
(2)(i) If the student's projected enrollment status changes during a payment period after the student has begun attendance in all of his or her classes for that payment period, the institution may (but is not required to) establish a policy under which the student's award for the payment period is recalculated. Any such recalculations must take into account any changes in the cost of attendance. In the case of an undergraduate or post-baccalaureate program of study, if such a policy is established, it must be the same policy that the institution established under 34 CFR 690.80(b) for the Federal Pell Grant Program and it must apply to all students in the TEACH Grant-eligible program.
(ii) If a student's projected enrollment status changes during a payment period before the student begins attendance in all of his or her classes for that payment period, the institution must recalculate the student's enrollment status to reflect only those classes for which he or she actually began attendance.
(b) Change in cost of attendance. If the student's cost of attendance changes at any time during the award year and his or her enrollment status remains the same, the institution may, but is not required to, establish a policy under which the student's TEACH Grant award for the payment period is recalculated. If such a policy is established, it must apply to all students in the TEACH Grant-eligible program.
§ 686.36   Fiscal control and fund accounting procedures.
(a) An institution must follow the provisions for maintaining general fiscal records in this section and in 34 CFR 668.24(b).
(b) An institution must maintain funds received under this section in accordance with the requirements in 34 CFR 668.164.
§ 686.37   Institutional reporting requirements.
(a) An institution must provide to the Secretary information about each TEACH Grant recipient that includes but is not limited to—
(1) The student's eligibility for a TEACH Grant, as determined in accordance with §§ 686.11 and 686.31;
(2) The student's TEACH Grant amounts; and
(3) The anticipated and actual disbursement date or dates and disbursement amounts of the TEACH Grant funds.
(b) The Secretary accepts a student's Payment Data that is submitted in accordance with procedures established through publication in the Federal Register, and that contains information the Secretary considers to be accurate in light of other available information including that previously provided by the student and the institution.
§ 686.38   Maintenance and retention of records.
(a) An institution must follow the record retention and examination provisions in this part and in 34 CFR 668.24.
(b) For any disputed expenditures in any award year for which the institution cannot provide records, the Secretary determines the final authorized level of expenditures.
§ 686.40   Documenting the service obligation.
(a) If a grant recipient is performing full-time teaching service in accordance with the agreement to serve or repay, or agreements to serve or repay if more than one agreement exists, the grant recipient must, upon completion of each of the four required elementary or secondary academic years of teaching service, provide to the Secretary documentation of that teaching service on a form approved by the Secretary and certified by the chief administrative officer of the school or educational service agency in which the grant recipient is teaching. The documentation must show that the grant recipient—
(1) Taught full-time in a low-income school as a highly qualified teacher as defined in § 686.2(d); and
(2)(i) Taught a majority of classes during the period being certified in any of the high-need fields of mathematics, science, a foreign language, bilingual education, English language acquisition, special education, or as a reading specialist; or
(ii) Taught a majority of classes during the period being certified in another high-need field designated by that State and listed in the Nationwide List, in accordance with § 686.12(d).
(b) For purposes of completing the service obligation, the elementary or secondary academic year may be counted as one of the grant recipient's four complete elementary or secondary academic years if the grant recipient completes at least one-half of the elementary or secondary academic year and the grant recipient's school employer considers the grant recipient to have fulfilled his or her contract requirements for the elementary or secondary academic year for the purposes of salary increases, tenure, and retirement if the grant recipient is unable to complete an elementary or secondary academic year due to—
(1) A condition that is a qualifying reason for leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA) (29 U.S.C. 2612(a)(1) and (3));
(2) A call or order to Federal or State active duty, or Active Service as a member of a Reserve Component of the Armed Forces named in 10 U.S.C. 10101, or service as a member of the National Guard on full-time National Guard duty, as defined in 10 U.S.C. 101(d)(5); or
(3) Residing in or being employed in a federally declared major disaster area as defined in the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5122(2)).
(c)(1) A grant recipient who taught in more than one qualifying school or qualifying educational service agency during an elementary or secondary academic year and demonstrates that the combined teaching service was the equivalent of full-time, as supported by the certification of one or more of the chief administrative officers of the schools or educational service agencies involved, is considered to have completed one elementary or secondary academic year of qualifying teaching.
(2) If the school or educational service agency at which the grant recipient is employed meets the requirements of a low-income school in the first year of the grant recipient's four elementary or secondary academic years of teaching and the school or educational service agency fails to meet those requirements in subsequent years, those subsequent years of teaching qualify for purposes of satisfying the service obligation described in § 686.12(b).
§ 686.41   Periods of suspension.
(a)(1) A grant recipient who has completed or who has otherwise ceased enrollment in a TEACH Grant-eligible program for which he or she received TEACH Grant funds may request a suspension from the Secretary of the eight-year period for completion of the service obligation based on—
(i) Enrollment in a program of study for which the recipient would be eligible for a TEACH Grant or in a program of study that has been determined by a State to satisfy the requirements for certification or licensure to teach in the State's elementary or secondary schools;
(ii) Receiving State-required instruction or otherwise fulfilling requirements for licensure to teach in a State's elementary or secondary schools;
(iii) A condition that is a qualifying reason for leave under the FMLA;
(iv) A call to order to Federal or State active duty or Active Service as a member of a Reserve Component of the Armed Forces named in 10 U.S.C. 10101, or service as a member of the National Guard on full-time National Guard duty, as defined in 10 U.S.C. 101(d)(5);
(v) Military orders for the recipient's spouse for—
(A) Deployment with a military unit or as an individual in support of a call to Federal or State Active Duty, or Active Service; or
(B) A change of permanent duty station from a location in the continental United States to a location outside of the continental United States or from a location in a State to any location outside of that State; or
(vi) Residing in or being employed in a federally declared major disaster area as defined in the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5122(2)).
(2) A grant recipient may receive a suspension described in paragraphs (a)(1)(i) through (vi) of this section in one-year increments that—
(i) Does not exceed a combined total of three years under paragraphs (a)(1)(i) through (iii) of this section;
(ii) Does not exceed a total of three years under paragraph (a)(1)(iv) of this section;
(iii) Does not exceed a total of three years under paragraph (a)(1)(v) of this section; or
(iv) Does not exceed a total of three years under paragraph (a)(1)(vi) of this section.
(b) A grant recipient, or his or her representative in the case of a grant recipient who qualifies under paragraph (a)(1)(iv) or (vi) of this section, must apply for a suspension on a form approved by the Secretary, prior to being subject to any of the conditions under § 686.43(a)(1) through (5) that would cause the TEACH Grant to convert to a Direct Unsubsidized Loan.
(c) A grant recipient, or his or her representative in the case of a grant recipient who qualifies under paragraph (a)(1)(iv) or (vi) of this section, must provide the Secretary with documentation supporting the suspension request as well as current contact information including home address and telephone number.
(d) On a case-by-case basis, the Secretary may grant a temporary suspension of the period for completing the service obligation if the Secretary determines that a grant recipient was unable to complete a full academic year of teaching or begin the next academic year of teaching due to exceptional circumstances significantly affecting the operation of the school or educational service agency where the grant recipient was employed or the grant recipient's ability to teach.
(e) The Secretary notifies the grant recipient regarding the outcome of the application for suspension.
§ 686.42   Discharge of agreement to serve or repay.
(a) Death. (1) If a grant recipient dies, the Secretary discharges the obligation to complete the agreement to serve or repay based on—
(i) An original or certified copy of the death certificate;
(ii) An accurate and complete photocopy of the original or certified copy of the death certificate;
(iii) An accurate and complete original or certified copy of the death certificate that is scanned and submitted electronically or sent by facsimile transmission; or
(iv) Verification of the grant recipient's death through an authoritative Federal or State electronic database approved for use by the Secretary.
(2) Under exceptional circumstances and on a case-by-case basis, the Secretary discharges the obligation to complete the agreement to serve or repay based on other reliable documentation of the grant recipient's death that is acceptable to the Secretary.
(b) Total and permanent disability. (1) A grant recipient's agreement to serve or repay is discharged if the recipient becomes totally and permanently disabled, as defined in 34 CFR 685.102(b), and the grant recipient applies for and satisfies the eligibility requirements for a total and permanent disability discharge in accordance with 34 CFR 685.213.
(2) If at any time the Secretary determines that the grant recipient does not meet the requirements of the three-year period following the discharge as described in 34 CFR 685.213(b)(7), the Secretary will notify the grant recipient that the grant recipient's obligation to satisfy the terms of the agreement to serve or repay is reinstated.
(3) The Secretary's notification under paragraph (b)(2) of this section will—
(i) Include the reason or reasons for reinstatement;
(ii) Provide information on how the grant recipient may contact the Secretary if the grant recipient has questions about the reinstatement or believes that the agreement to serve or repay was reinstated based on incorrect information; and
(iii) Inform the TEACH Grant recipient that he or she must satisfy the service obligation within the portion of the eight-year period that remained after the date of the discharge.
(4) If the TEACH Grant made to a recipient whose TEACH Grant agreement to serve or repay is reinstated is later converted to a Direct Unsubsidized Loan, the recipient will not be required to pay interest that accrued on the TEACH Grant disbursements from the date the agreement to serve or repay was discharged until the date the agreement to serve or repay was reinstated.
(c) Military discharge. (1) A grant recipient who has completed or who has otherwise ceased enrollment in a TEACH Grant-eligible program for which he or she received TEACH Grant funds and has exceeded the period of time allowed under § 686.41(a)(2)(ii), may qualify for a proportional discharge of his or her service obligation due to an extended call or order to active duty status. To apply for a military discharge, a grant recipient or his or her representative must submit a written request to the Secretary.
(2) A grant recipient described in paragraph (c)(1) of this section may receive a—
(i) One-year discharge of his or her service obligation if a call or order to active duty status is for more than three years;
(ii) Two-year discharge of his or her service obligation if a call or order to active duty status is for more than four years;
(iii) Three-year discharge of his or her service obligation if a call or order to active duty status is for more than five years; or
(iv) Full discharge of his or her service obligation if a call or order to active duty status is for more than six years.
(3) A grant recipient or his or her representative must provide the Secretary with—
(i) A written statement from the grant recipient's commanding or personnel officer certifying—
(A) That the grant recipient is on active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States;
(B) The date on which the grant recipient's service began; and
(C) The date on which the grant recipient's service is expected to end; or
(ii)(A) A copy of the grant recipient's official military orders; and
(B) A copy of the grant recipient's military identification.
(4) For the purpose of this section, the Armed Forces means the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, the Coast Guard, a reserve component of the Armed Forces named in 10 U.S.C. 10101, or the National Guard.
(5) Based on a request for a military discharge from the grant recipient or his or her representative, the Secretary will notify the grant recipient or his or her representative of the outcome of the discharge request. For the portion on the service obligation that remains, the grant recipient remains responsible for fulfilling his or her service obligation in accordance with § 686.12.
§ 686.43   Obligation to repay the grant.
(a)(1) The TEACH Grant amounts disbursed to the recipient will be converted into a Direct Unsubsidized Loan, with interest accruing from the date that each grant disbursement was made and be collected by the Secretary in accordance with the relevant provisions of subpart A of 34 CFR part 685 if—
(i) The grant recipient, regardless of enrollment status, requests that the TEACH Grant be converted into a Direct Unsubsidized Loan because he or she has decided not to teach in a qualified school or educational service agency, or not to teach in a high-need field, or for any other reason; or
(ii) The grant recipient does not begin or maintain qualified employment within the timeframe that would allow that individual to complete the service obligation within the number of years required under § 686.12.
(2) At least annually during the service obligation period under § 686.12, the Secretary notifies the grant recipient of—
(i) The terms and conditions that the grant recipient must meet to satisfy the service obligation;
(ii) The requirement for the grant recipient to provide to the Secretary, upon completion of each of the four required elementary or secondary academic years of teaching service, documentation of that teaching service on a form approved by the Secretary and certified by the chief administrative officer of the school or educational service agency in which the grant recipient taught and emphasizes the necessity to keep copies of this information and copies of the recipient's own employment documentation;
(iii) The service years completed and the remaining timeframe within which the grant recipient must complete the service obligation;
(iv) The conditions under which the grant recipient may request a temporary suspension of the period for completing the service obligation;
(v) The conditions as described under paragraph (a)(1) of this section under which the TEACH Grant amounts disbursed to the recipient will be converted into a Direct Unsubsidized Loan;
(vi) The potential total interest accrued;
(vii) The process by which the recipient may contact the Secretary to request reconsideration of the conversion, the deadline by which the grant recipient must submit the request for reconsideration, and a list of the specific documentation required by the Secretary to reconsider the conversion; and
(viii) An explanation that to avoid further accrual of interest as described in § 686.12(b)(4)(ii), a grant recipient who decides not to teach in a qualified school or field, or who for any other reason no longer intends to satisfy the service obligation, may request that the Secretary convert his or her TEACH Grant to a Direct Unsubsidized Loan that the grant recipient may begin repaying immediately, instead of waiting for the TEACH Grant to be converted to a loan under the condition described in paragraph (a)(1)(ii) of this section.
(3) On or about 90 days before the date that a grant recipient's TEACH Grants would be converted to Direct Unsubsidized Loans in accordance with paragraph (a)(1)(ii) of this section, the Secretary notifies the grant recipient of the date by which the recipient must submit documentation showing that the recipient is satisfying the obligation.
(4) If the TEACH Grant amounts disbursed to a recipient are converted to a Direct Unsubsidized Loan, the Secretary notifies the recipient of the conversion and offers conversion counseling as described in § 686.32(e).
(5) Except as provided in paragraph (a)(8) of this section, if a grant recipient's TEACH Grant was converted to a Direct Unsubsidized Loan, the Secretary will reconvert the loan to a TEACH Grant based on documentation provided by the recipient or in the Secretary's records demonstrating that the recipient was satisfying the service obligation as described in § 686.12 or that the grant was converted to a loan in error.
(6) If a grant recipient who requests reconsideration demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Secretary that a TEACH Grant was converted to a loan in error, the Secretary—
(i) Reconverts the loan to a TEACH Grant;
(ii) Applies any academic years of qualifying teaching service that the grant recipient completed before or during the period when the grant was incorrectly in loan status toward the grant recipient's four-year service obligation requirement;
(iii) Upon reconversion of the loan to a TEACH Grant, provides the grant recipient with an additional period of time, equal to eight years minus the number of full academic years of teaching that the recipient completed prior to the reconversion of the loan to a TEACH Grant, including any years of qualifying teaching completed during the period when the TEACH Grant was incorrectly in loan status, to complete the remaining portion of the service obligation.
(iv) Ensures that the grant recipient receives credit for any payments that were made on the Direct Unsubsidized Loan that was reconverted to a TEACH Grant;
(v) Notifies the recipient of the reconversion to a grant and explains that the recipient is once again responsible for meeting all requirements of the service obligation under § 686.12; and
(vi) Requests deletion of any derogatory information reported to the consumer reporting agencies related to the grant while it was in loan status and furnishes a statement confirming that the grant was converted to a loan in error that the recipient may provide to creditors until the recipient's credit history has been corrected.
(7) If a grant recipient who requests reconsideration does not demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Secretary that a TEACH Grant was converted to a loan in error, the Secretary—
(i) Notifies the recipient that the loan cannot be converted to a TEACH Grant;
(ii) Explains the reason or reasons why the loan cannot be converted to a TEACH Grant; and
(iii) Explains how the recipient may contact the Federal Student Aid Ombudsman if he or she continues to believe that the TEACH Grant was converted to a loan in error.
(8) In the case of a grant recipient whose TEACH Grant was converted to a Direct Unsubsidized Loan in accordance with paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section, the Secretary will reconvert the loan to a grant and restore the recipient's service obligation if—
(i) The grant recipient submits a request to the Secretary to reconvert the loan to a TEACH Grant;
(ii) Excluding any periods of suspension granted under § 686.41, there is sufficient time remaining for the grant recipient to complete the required four academic years of qualifying teaching service within eight years from the date the grant recipient ceased enrollment at the institution where the recipient received the grant or, in the case of a student who received a TEACH Grant at one institution and subsequently transferred to another institution and enrolled in another TEACH Grant-eligible program, within eight years from the date the recipient ceased enrollment at the other institution; and
(iii) In the case of a recipient who would not have sufficient time remaining to complete the service obligation within the eight-year period as described in paragraph (a)(8)(ii) of this section unless the recipient qualifies for a suspension under § 686.40, which may be granted retroactively, the recipient requests and is determined to be eligible for the suspension.
(9) A TEACH Grant recipient remains obligated to meet all requirements of the service obligation under § 686.12, even if the recipient does not receive the notices from the Secretary as described in paragraph (a)(2) of this section.
(b) A TEACH Grant that is converted to a loan, and is treated as a Direct Unsubsidized Loan, is not counted against the grant recipient's annual or aggregate loan limits under 34 CFR 685.203.
(c) A grant recipient whose TEACH Grant has been converted to a Direct Unsubsidized Loan—
(1) Enters a six-month grace period prior to entering repayment, and
(2) Is eligible for all of the benefits of the Direct Loan Program.