The EFS is Tennessee's statewide school-choice scholarship, signed into law in February 2025. It lets families use state funds toward private-school tuition and fees at state-registered (Category I–III) non-public schools in Tennessee. For the 2026–27 school year the award is $7,530 per student (it was $7,295 in 2025–26).
Eligibility is broad: any Tennessee resident entitled to attend a K–12 public school can apply. Because the number of scholarships is capped, awards are prioritized rather than first-come. Priority generally goes, in order, to current EFS recipients, then to families with the greatest financial need or students with certain disabilities, then to other households — with income-based eligibility set at or below 300% of the free-and-reduced-price-lunch threshold (roughly $173,160 for a household of four in 2026–27).
Applications are submitted through the state's official EFS portal, and the window for each school year opens in January. Applicants create an account, submit documentation, and — if awarded — enroll at a participating private school.
Tennessee also runs an older, separate program called the ESA (Education Savings Account) Pilot, created in 2019 for eligible students with lower household incomes who are zoned to certain districts — including Davidson County (Nashville) — and a related program for students with specific disabilities. The ESA has narrower eligibility than the universal EFS. If your child has a disability or you think you may qualify, review the official ESA program page.
A private school must be registered with the state to accept EFS funds. Tuition and fees vary widely, and the scholarship may not cover the full cost. Every private-school page in this guide links that school's official tuition or financial-aid page so you can see the real numbers. Browse Nashville private schools →
The Education Freedom Scholarship is worth $7,530 per student for the 2026-27 school year. It can be applied to tuition and fees at a state-registered private school in Tennessee.
Any Tennessee resident entitled to attend a K-12 public school can apply. Because scholarships are capped, awards are prioritized — first to current recipients, then to families with the greatest financial need or students with certain disabilities, then to other households (income-based eligibility is set at or below 300% of the free-and-reduced-price-lunch threshold).
Apply through the state's official EFS portal, linked from tn.gov/education/efs. The application window for each school year opens in January. The 2026-27 window has closed; watch the official page for the next window.
No — only at private schools that are registered with the state as Category I, II, or III non-public schools. The scholarship prioritizes tuition and fees and may not cover the full cost, so confirm each school's tuition directly.
EFS is the new, near-universal scholarship created in 2025. ESA is an older, narrower program (2019) for eligible lower-income students in certain districts including Davidson County, plus a related program for students with specific disabilities.