TEACH Improvement Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Hinson, Ashley [R-IA-2]
Introduced
Summary
Would reestablish and strengthen the TEACH Grants program to fund future teachers and reduce grant-to-loan conversions. The bill would set who qualifies, how much candidates may receive, institutional performance rules, servicer accountability, and reporting requirements.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Bigger TEACH Grants and caps
If enacted, the bill would set TEACH Grant awards at $4,000 per year for the first two years and $5,000 per year for the next two years for most students. Certain applicants would get $5,000 per year each year. Undergraduate and post-baccalaureate students would be capped at $18,000 total and graduate students at $10,000 total. These rules would start July 1, 2026.
Schools face TEACH Grant restrictions
If enacted, the Department would only treat a college as an eligible TEACH Grant school if it meets standards for teacher preparation, financial responsibility, coursework, and mentoring. Schools with high historical grant-to-loan conversion rates would face penalties: a 40% conversion rate over three award years triggers a three-award-year regime with limits and extra counseling, and a 50% rate can bar a school from offering TEACH Grants to new students for three award years. Schools could only regain full eligibility after meeting multi-year conditions. These rules would start July 1, 2026.
New TEACH Grant eligibility rules
If enacted, applicants would have to apply by dates the Department sets and be Title IV eligible. Undergraduates would need a GPA comparable to 3.25 (or a strong secondary GPA for first-year students) or a test score above the 75th percentile. Graduate and post-baccalaureate rules are clarified: post-baccalaureate programs that do not lead to a degree but meet State certification coursework would count, and the bill ties 'teacher candidate' to specified categories. These rules would start July 1, 2026.
Stronger rules for loan servicers
If enacted, the Department would have to make rules that hold third-party servicers accountable and impose penalties if servicers fail to perform TEACH Grant duties. Servicers would be responsible for losses of TEACH Grant benefits caused by their failures. These rules would start July 1, 2026.
Advance payments to schools and students
If enacted, at least 85% of a school's TEACH Grant funds would be advanced before each payment period until the Department adopts another system. The Secretary could still put a school on reimbursement instead of prepayment. If a school chooses not to use institutional disbursement, the Department could pay TEACH Grants directly to students in advance. These rules would start July 1, 2026.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Hinson, Ashley [R-IA-2]
IA • R
Cosponsors
Rep. Adams, Alma S. [D-NC-12]
NC • D
Sponsored 7/9/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov