Tennessee EFS: Amounts, Rules and Schools

How EFS works

What you get	$7,530 per student for 2026-27
Who qualifies	Universal eligibility; a share of seats is reserved for lower-income families.
How full it is	35,000 scholarships for 2026-27 after a 15,000-seat expansion in May 2026. More than 56,000 students applied. There is a waitlist.
When to apply	Applications open early in the calendar year for the following school year.
How the money moves	The state pays the participating school directly through its program platform.
What it covers	Tuition and fees first; remaining funds may go to approved education expenses. A vendor marketplace is due to open October 19, 2026.

Worth knowing: A constitutional challenge to the program is pending in Davidson County Chancery Court.

We read this on 2026-09-20 from: Tennessee Department of Education, Education Freedom Scholarships; TDOE, 2026-05-07, program expansion. Rules change when the legislature meets, so check the official program site before you count on a number.

Run your own numbers

What would you pay?

Yearly tuition the school quoted Fees, books, uniforms EFS award Children

We filled in the standard EFS amount. Change it if your award letter says something different. An award can never be more than the school actually charges. This is arithmetic, not a quote.

Which schools take it

Tennessee posts its registered schools as a web table that does not allow automated reading. We do not yet mark Tennessee schools as participating; confirm on the state’s list.

Browse Tennessee private schools The state’s own list

Get one email when applications open

Most programs open once a year, and several ran out of money or seats in 2026. Pick your state and we will email you the day the next window opens, with the official link. That is the only email you get.

One email per application window. No calls, no sharing your details.

Questions parents ask

How much does EFS pay in Tennessee?

$7,530 per student for 2026-27.

Who is eligible?

Universal eligibility; a share of seats is reserved for lower-income families.

Does it cover the full cost of private school?

Not always. The award is a set amount and every school sets its own price. Ask each school for tuition plus fees, then subtract the award. The calculator on this page does the sum for you.

How do I know a school accepts EFS?

Tennessee posts its registered schools as a web table that does not allow automated reading. We do not yet mark Tennessee schools as participating; confirm on the state’s list.

When do I apply?

Applications open early in the calendar year for the following school year.

Tennessee Education Freedom Scholarships