The application process is the set of steps you’ll need to complete to be considered for a scholarship, loan forgiveness program or other opportunity.

An application process usually involves a form or collection of forms. Many applications require other materials as well, such as a personal statement or essay response, recommendation letters, school transcripts or other documents.

Eligibility refers to the basic criteria you must meet to be able to apply for a financial aid opportunity, such as a scholarship, grant, internship or loan forgiveness program. 

Financial aid opportunities all have their own eligibility requirements. Some common eligibility criteria include GPA, work experience, age or racial or gender identity.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, lets you receive need-based financial aid from the federal government—usually in the form of grants or loans. The FAFSA requires personal and income information to determine your financial aid award. 

Most colleges and universities also use the FAFSA to determine their financial aid awards, so it’s important to fill it out! Learn more about the FAFSA.

A grant is free money you don’t need to repay! Grants generally come from the federal or state government (like the Pell Grant), or from local organizations or universities. You get automatically considered for most grants when you fill out the FAFSA. 

Grants are often awarded based on income or family size, but some grant providers have other specific eligibility requirements. Ask your program’s financial aid office if there are any other forms you need to fill out.

A loan is a sum of money you can use to help pay for your education. You will need to pay back your loan with interest after you graduate. 

Many students first take loans from the federal government, because interest rates tend to be lower. (You’ll need to fill out the FAFSA to get a loan offer.) You might take out private loans from a bank or another provider if you max out on federal loans and still need additional funds.

Loan forgiveness (sometimes called loan cancellation) means you won’t have to pay back some or all of your student loans. In exchange for forgiven loans, you’ll commit to teaching for a set period of time—often in a high-need geographic or subject area.

Loan forgiveness can cover substantial amounts of money! That said, loan forgiveness programs vary. Make sure you understand the specific types of loans and amounts that can be forgiven, as well as any teaching commitments you’ll need to fulfill.

Learn about federal loan forgiveness.

Like a grant, a scholarship is money you don’t need to repay! Scholarships can come from the federal or state government, your college or university or outside organizations. 

Most scholarships have specific eligibility requirements, such as financial need, academic success, achievements in an area of interest, or racial or gender identity.

A stipend is a payment to help you with your education costs and living expenses. Most teaching programs don’t offer stipends—but if yours does, you can think of your stipend as a paycheck or allowance.

Unlike a scholarship or grant, you typically won’t need to use your stipend for a specific thing, like tuition. You’ll receive your payment directly and can spend it however you need! You might receive your full payment all at once, or you might receive your stipend on a biweekly or monthly basis.

It depends on the specific award you receive. Some funding will cover any education-related cost, including tuition, student housing, textbooks and school fees. Other awards only cover tuition, so check to find out what you can pay for with your funds.

For most teaching programs, you'll start by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. Many colleges and universities use the information from your FAFSA to determine your financial aid award—so you don't have to fill out a separate financial aid application for every school!

Most other scholarship, grant and internship opportunities offer application instructions on their websites.

After you've applied, reach out to the financial aid offices at your prospective programs. They can tell you what to expect from your financial aid award.

If your program is through a college or university, you’ll want to complete the FAFSA as soon as possible to meet deadlines for scholarship and grant opportunities.

Many states also have their own priority deadlines for the FAFSA. Meeting these deadlines gives you the best chance of receiving state funding for your education. Find your state's priority deadline.

Most scholarship, grant and internship opportunities have specific deadlines that are available on their website. Your teaching program might have a list of additional aid options with deadlines.

It depends on your award. Some funding programs will send the money to you directly. Others will send it to your college or university on your behalf. 

Other financial aid, such as loan forgiveness, might go directly to your loan provider to deduct from the remaining balance of your loans. 

You can usually find details about fund distribution on your funding program’s website.

​​​​​​Probably! With our national financial aid database, you can search for opportunities relevant to you. Filter by location, identity, educational background, teaching subject and more!

It depends on the program! Some teaching programs allow you to teach while completing your requirements. Others have flexible schedules or work-study options.

Check with your program to learn about what kind of flexibility and opportunities they offer.

TEACH.org currently only provides support and information for those seeking teaching opportunities within the United States.