CHECKED 2026-10-07 · 2026-2027

Tennessee Private School Scholarships: EFS, ESA and IEA

Tennessee’s Education Freedom Scholarship (EFS) helps eligible K–12 students attend registered private schools. It is separate from the older Education Savings Account (ESA) and Individualized Education Account (IEA) programs.

Status checked October 7, 2026: EFS applications for 2026–27 are closed. The 2026–27 annual award is $7,530. No 2027–28 application dates are presented here as confirmed. Official EFS status

Tennessee Education Freedom Scholarship

Award. $7,530 per student for 2026–27 (up from $7,295 in 2025-26), paid in four quarterly disbursements. Funds go toward education expenses at participating private schools, with tuition and fees prioritized.

Who is eligible. Any Tennessee resident student entitled to attend a public school in grades K–12 who enrolls in a registered Category I, II, or III non-public school in Tennessee. Students must be U.S. citizens or lawfully present. Pre-K students are not eligible. There is no income cap for eligibility.

Seats are limited. In its May 7, 2026 announcement, the state reported 35,000 scholarships reserved after expansion, more than 56,000 applications and 17,735 applications on a waitlist. Those are dated program figures, not a live count of available places. State expansion announcement

Priority and receipt order. For 2026–27, the state processes completed applications by priority category and order received. This is not described as a random lottery. Categories start with current recipients, then specified lower-income or ESA/IEA eligibility, another income-priority group, public-school students or entering kindergartners, and other eligible students. The income tests use free/reduced-price-lunch criteria; do not confuse those percentages with percentages of FPL. Document priority in the initial application. EFS priority rules

Payments and preparing for the next cycle

The state’s current page lists projected quarter-two funding on October 15, 2026, and quarter-three funding on January 15, 2027. Payment requires the applicable program steps; a calendar date is not a guarantee that a particular school bill will already be credited. Check the official calendar and your portal for the full schedule and any changes.

For 2027–28, monitor the official EFS page and family updates. The prior cycle’s dates are not a promise about the next one. Prepare to document residency, citizenship or lawful presence, and any priority category using the next cycle’s instructions. In the current cycle, two residency documents and the appropriate eligibility documents are required. Submit a complete application promptly once the actual window and rules are announced.

Participating schools. The state reported nearly 300 registered schools in May 2026; verify current participation rather than relying on that count. Schools must be Category I, II, or III non-public schools located in Tennessee. The Tennessee Department of Education publishes the list.

Other Tennessee options

Education Savings Account (ESA) program. A separate program with its own income, district/residency, prior-enrollment and other eligibility conditions. Use its current rules rather than assuming EFS eligibility also qualifies a child for ESA. ESA program

Individualized Education Account (IEA). An education savings account for students with qualifying disabilities. IEA funds can cover private school tuition, therapies, and other services. Check the IEA page for its own calendar, documentation and award rules. IEA program

Documented ESA or IEA eligibility can affect EFS priority. Compare the programs’ actual terms and confirm exclusivity and transfer rules before accepting or changing a benefit; do not add program maximums together as though they were an automatic combined award.

How to compare schools with an EFS award

Request the full annual tuition and fee schedule for your child’s grade. Ask which expenses are covered, whether school aid is adjusted when EFS arrives, and how the school handles payment timing. Compare the actual award with the bill, including any enrollment deposit, transportation or aftercare.

A school’s registration does not prove it has an open seat or offers the services your child needs. Complete its admission process separately and read the enrollment contract and refund terms before committing.

For 529 savings, school aid and payment plans, see how to pay for private school.

Official sources and updates

Checked October 7, 2026. Program rules and application status can change. Confirm the current requirements before applying or committing to a school.

This guide provides general educational information. It does not determine admission, scholarship eligibility, an award, or an individual tax result.