Take control of your child’s education.

Many states now offer school choice scholarships to give families the freedom to choose the best K-12 education to meet the needs of their children.

Tennessee

Tennessee offers a wide range of educational opportunities for your family. getschoolchoice.org is here to guide you through finding the right education solution for your child, whether it is Education Freedom Scholarships, education savings accounts, or navigating other decisions you now have the freedom to make.

Tennessee Programs

Scholarships Available: Education Freedom Scholarships, Educational Savings Accounts, Individual Education Accounts
Your contact information will be shared with the Tennessee Department of Education.

Scholarship Opportunities in Tennessee:

+ Education Freedom Scholarships

Tennessee Education Freedom Scholarship (EFS) Program
Is my student eligible?

  • Education Freedom Scholarships will allow residents of Tennessee who have a child entitled to attend a public school in grades K-12 to use state funds toward education expenses, including tuition and/or fees at registered Category I, II, or III private schools located in Tennessee.

Application Dates: The EFS application opened May 15th.

Information required for application:

  • Tennessee Residency (2 documentations of proof required)
  • Student’s Proof of U.S. Citizenship such as a birth certificate(1 proof required)
  • OR Lawful Presence in the U.S. (2 proofs required)
  • To be considered for a qualified (income-based prioritization) scholarship, the application must demonstrate ONE of the following:  Income Eligibility Income levels below 300% of the Federal Free or Reduced-Price Lunch Guidelines
  • Eligibility for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program OR Eligibility for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Education Freedom Scholarship Application Step-By-Step Guide

+ Educational Savings Accounts

Is my student eligible?

  • Students must be Tennessee residents zoned to a qualifying school district: Memphis-Shelby County Schools, Metro Nashville Public Schools, Hamilton County Schools, or schools that were in the Achievement School District (ASD) on May 24, 2019.
  • Income Limitations: Varies by household size. Check my ESA Eligibility.

Apply here.

Application Dates:

  • Opens: February 3, 2025
  • Priority Deadline: May 1, 2025
  • Application Deadline: July 1, 2025

More Tools: Parents can view the ESA handbook here.

+ Individual Education Accounts

Is my student eligible?

  • Students must be eligible to enroll in grades Kindergarten-12th grade, have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) with a primary or secondary diagnosis of one of the following: autism, deaf-blindness, hearing impairment (including deafness), intellectual disability, orthopedic impairment, traumatic brain injury, developmental day, visual impairment (including blindness), or multiple disabilities.
  • Additionally, students must either:
    • 1) Have been enrolled in and attended a Tennessee public school for one full school year immediately preceding the school year in which they receive an IEA,
    • 2) Be enrolling in a Tennessee school for the first time, or
    • 3) Have received an IEA in the previous school year.
  • Income Limitations: None

Apply here.

Application Dates:

  • Opens: February 3, 2025
  • Priority Deadline: May 1, 2025
  • Final Deadline: July 1, 2025
  • Enrollment Deadline: July 31, 2025
  • Contract Deadline: September 15, 2025

More Tools: Parents can visit here for more on the application process.