A Republican bill with 2 Democratic cosponsors · See all 2 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The TEACH Improvement Act of 2026 seeks to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 regarding TEACH grants. It establishes new definitions for eligible institutions, post-baccalaureate programs, and teacher candidates. The bill outlines specific grant amounts for undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, and graduate students. It also creates rules for how institutions can lose or regain eligibility based on how many students fail to complete their service obligations. Additionally, the bill establishes requirements for student service in high-need teaching fields and includes provisions for converting grants into loans if service requirements are not met.
Yes· 3 of 8
- Scored +7
Does this make college cost less?
The bill establishes specific grant amounts for undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, and graduate students to fund their studies.
- Scored +6
Would students be better off under this?
The bill provides specific, structured grant amounts for various levels of higher education study.
- Scored +5
Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this?
The bill provides direct financial support for students pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Financial Aid for Teachers: The bill provides specific grant amounts to help pay for education, such as $4,000 for the first two years and $5,000 for the next two years for certain applicants (Section 420M(a)(1)(A)).
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Support for Graduate Students: Individuals pursuing a master's degree can receive up to $10,000 in grant money (Section 420M(d)(2)).
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Flexibility for Career Changes: Current or prospective teachers can use these grants to obtain graduate degrees in high-need subjects like mathematics, science, or special education (Section 420N(a)(2)(B)).
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Protection Against Financial Hardship: The Secretary can establish categories of extenuating circumstances where a recipient might be excused from fulfilling their service obligation (Section 420N(d)(2)).
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Recourse for Errors: If a grant is converted to a loan due to administrative errors or processing delays, the Secretary can reinstate the grant and discharge related interest or fees (Section 420N(c)(2)(B)).
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Funding for Necessary Preparation: The bill allows for the inclusion of noncredit or remedial courses, such as English language acquisition, to help prepare candidates for their degree (Section 420M(d)(3)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Risk of Debt Conversion: If a recipient fails to meet the service obligation, their grant is converted into a Federal Direct Stafford Loan (Section 420N(b)(2)).
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Financial Reductions for Part-Time Students: Students attending an institution on less than a full-time basis will have their grant amounts reduced proportionally (Section 420M(c)(1)).
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Stringent Service Requirements: To keep the grant, recipients must serve as a full-time teacher for at least 4 academic years within an 8-year window (Section 420N(b)(1)(A)).
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Institutional Restrictions: Schools with high rates of grant-to-loan conversions may face restrictions on offering grants to new students or may be required to provide additional financial aid counseling and task forces (Section 420M(e)(1) and (e)(2)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would students be better off under this? — The bill provides specific, structured grant amounts for various levels of higher education study. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill provides grant-based financial aid that does not need to be repaid if service obligations are met. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — The bill provides direct financial support for students pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — The bill offers significant grant amounts to assist with the cost of professional development and higher education.
- Education And Technology
- Does this make college cost less? — The bill establishes specific grant amounts for undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, and graduate students to fund their studies. Does this reduce what student borrowers owe or repay? — The bill includes provisions for the Secretary to discharge loans and reinstate grants due to administrative errors or extenuating circumstances.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires the Secretary to maintain and annually update publicly available lists of qualifying schools and fields.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The bill provides direct grant funding for higher education to help reduce the financial burden on future teachers.
- 4/28/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Ruben GallegoDemocrat · Arizona
John ReedDemocrat · Rhode Island