TEACH Grant Sequester Cuts Continue; Maximum Award Down to $3,724
In an announcement on the Federal Student Aid website, the U.S. Department of Education has outlined cuts to this year’s award amounts for TEACH Grants, reducing grants by 6.9% for the year that started October 1, 2016.
This cut, which brings the maximum TEACH grant award down from $4,000 to $3,724, is due to the federal budget sequester. (See this helpful FAQ on what sequester means for the federal budget, or this report from the Congressional Research Service for much more technical information.) Along with other sequestration-mandated cuts in federal funding, the TEACH grants have undergone reductions since 2013 ranging from 6.8 to 12.6%. An e-mail to financial aid administrators last year spelled out the most recent cuts.
Teacher preparation programs and candidates should be mindful of these cuts as they continue their financial aid planning. Programs and candidates with questions should contact the financial aid offices at their institution for more information, or visit the Federal Student Aid website.
Tags: federal issues, funding
