At a glance
Tennessee enacted a universal Education Savings Account (ESA) program in 2025 (the Education Freedom Act), providing eligible students about $7,000 to spend on approved education expenses. Tennessee also has the Individualized Education Account (IEA) for students with disabilities.
This state's choice programs
The Education Freedom Scholarship (ESA) gives eligible families roughly $7,000 per student — which must first be used for tuition but can also cover other approved expenses. It started with a cap of 20,000 scholarships (with half reserved for lower-income students and students with disabilities), and lawmakers have moved to raise the cap. The IEA serves students with disabilities.
Eligibility
The new ESA is universal-eligible but capped — so not every applicant is guaranteed a funded seat, with priority for lower-income families and students with disabilities. Confirm current caps and priorities.
Applying
Apply through the Tennessee Department of Education’s ESA program. Watch the application window and confirm requirements.
Public school choice, too
Remember: “school choice” also includes public options available in every state:
- Open enrollment / transfersAttend a public school outside your zone, where allowed (see our finding-your-school guide)
- Charter schoolsTuition-free public schools of choice (where available)
- Magnet schoolsTuition-free public schools with a specialized focus
- HomeschoolingLegal in all 50 states (rules vary)
Legal & legislative status
The new program is the subject of ongoing litigation and is still ramping up — confirm the current status, caps, and rules.
Tips for families
- Confirm the current programThis area changes fast — verify eligibility, amounts, and deadlines
- Watch the deadlines & capsMany programs have windows and funding caps
- Understand what’s coveredESAs are flexible; vouchers usually cover tuition only
- Check your school participatesNot every private school accepts every program
- Combine with school aidChoice funds can stack with a school’s own financial aid
Frequently asked questions
- Does Tennessee have a private-school-choice program?Yes — Tennessee enacted a universal ESA (~$7,000) in 2025, plus the IEA for disabilities (program under legal challenge).
- What’s the difference between an ESA and a voucher?A voucher pays a private school directly; an ESA is a flexible parent-managed account for many approved expenses.
- What is a tax-credit scholarship?Donors get a tax credit for giving to organizations that fund private-school scholarships.
- Is there public school choice too?Yes — open enrollment, charters, and magnets (plus homeschooling).
- Where do I confirm the details?On the official state program site (see below).
At a glance
- New programUniversal ESA (Education Freedom Act)
- Amount$7,000 per student
- CapStarted at 20,000 (rising)
- AlsoIEA (students with disabilities)
- NoteUnder legal challenge
- Confirm withThe state program
Where to confirm
Confirm current programs and eligibility with the official source: