Tennessee families in all 95 counties can now apply for taxpayer-funded school vouchers to help offset costs for private K-12 schooling.
The Education Freedom Scholarship program opened applications on May 15 for families to secure vouchers for the 2025-26 school year. In a May 13 news release from the Tennessee Department of Education, Gov. Bill Lee hailed the program as a way for families to enroll children in the school that best fits their needs, regardless of their family income or location.
A previous version of the program limited vouchers to three counties and families that did not surpass a set income cap. The current program is open to applicants statewide and will offer 20,000 vouchers to families. The first 10,000 vouchers have income and other restrictions, while the remaining 10,000 do not.
“I’m grateful to the schools that have registered to participate in the Education Freedom Scholarship program and look forward to delivering excellent educational choices for students,” Lee said in the release.
The scholarship program passed after a yearslong, highly controversial push by Lee. After a failed effort to pass the expansion in 2024, lawmakers ultimately passed legislation after Lee called a special session in January.
Here’s what to know about who qualifies, where to apply and more.
More: Tennessee lawmakers pass $447M school voucher program in major win for Gov. Bill Lee
Where to apply for Tennessee school vouchers
Applications and more information are available at tn.gov/education/EFS. Paper applications are available in English, Chinese, Arabic and Spanish. However, all information provided on the applications must be submitted in English.
How much are the vouchers worth?
Scholarships for the 2025-26 school year are worth $7,295.
Is there an income cap or other restrictions on the vouchers?
To receive a scholarship, students must be residents of Tennessee entitled to attend a public K-12 school. They must also be lawfully present in the United States.
The first 10,000 scholarships will go to students whose household income falls below a threshold, along with students with certain disabilities and those who received vouchers under the state’s previous program. More information can be found by going to tn.gov/education/EFS and scrolling down to the “ESA Student Application Checklist.”
For reference, here’s a look at the household income requirements:
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Family of two: under $113,442
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Family of three: under $143,301
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Family of four: under $173,160
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Family of five: under $203,019
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Family of six: under $232,878
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Family of seven: under $262,737
The remaining 10,000 scholarships are available to students regardless of income.
Gov. Bill Lee, signs the statewide school voucher bill at Tennessee State Capitol building in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025.
Are the scholarships first-come, first-served?
The department will award the 20,000 scholarships in the order it receives completed applications, with the first 10,000 earmarked for students who meet the guidelines outlined on the Tennessee Department of Education site.
What schools accept Education Freedom Scholarships?
As of May 13, a total of 230 schools either registered or signaled they intend to participate in the Education Freedom Scholarship program, according to the Tennessee Department of Education. The list is updated at the end of the day each Tuesday and Thursday and can be found by going to tn.gov/education/EFS and scrolling to the tab labeled “Registered EFS Schools.”
Learn more about Tennessee school vouchers
More information on Education Freedom Scholarships, including a family handbook, frequently asked questions, a step-by-step guide and eligibility guidelines, can be found at tn.gov/education/EFS
The website also includes a link to sign-up for email updates. It’s not clear when the applications will close. Questions about the program can be directed to [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee school vouchers awarded on first-come basis: How to apply
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