Skip to content
ChoicePaid
Menu
PlatformFor schoolsFor familiesProgram guidesStatesDirectoryCompareGuidesPricingDevelopersInvoice checker (any program)Payment checker (Odyssey CSV)Offering checkerMulti-state application plannerApplication checklistPayout trackerReceipt checkerInvoice builder (6 states)Sign inGet started

Tennessee EFS and ESA for families

Tennessee runs two programs: Education Freedom Scholarships for private school students statewide, and an ESA for students zoned to schools in Memphis, Nashville, Chattanooga or the former Achievement School District.

Checked against the program's own sources on Oct 14, 2026. Each fact links to its source.

How much does Tennessee EFS and ESA pay?

  • Education Freedom Scholarship: $7,530 per student for 2026-27.1
  • ESA for 2026-27: $10,093.89 for Hamilton County Schools, $10,132.54 for Metro Nashville and $10,132.54 for Memphis-Shelby County.2

Who qualifies for Tennessee EFS and ESA?

  • EFS: Tennessee residents entitled to attend a public school in grades K-12 who enroll in a registered Category I, II or III non-public school in Tennessee.1
  • ESA: students zoned to Memphis-Shelby County Schools, Metro Nashville Public Schools, Hamilton County Schools, or a school that was in the Achievement School District on May 24, 2019.2

What can Tennessee EFS and ESA pay for?

  • EFS prioritizes tuition and fees.1
  • The ESA pays education expenses, including tuition and fees at approved participating non-public schools.2

When can you apply for Tennessee EFS and ESA?

  • EFS applications for 2026-27 are closed. The EFS marketplace opens October 19, 2026, with funding events on October 15, 2026 and January 15, 2027.1
  • ESA second-semester applications run September 1, 2026 at 12 p.m. CT to October 15, 2026 at 4 p.m. CT.2

How do you apply for Tennessee EFS and ESA?

Families apply through the program itself, not through ChoicePaid.

Tennessee EFS program page

Track your award for free

One budget across every provider, with receipts and reimbursement packets.

Are you a provider?

How to get approved and paid by Tennessee EFS and ESA.

Sources

  1. 1. Education Freedom Scholarship program page, tn.gov, checked Oct 14, 2026
  2. 2. Education Savings Account program page, tn.gov, checked Oct 14, 2026

ChoicePaid isn't affiliated with Tennessee EFS and ESA or its administrator. This page is a summary, not legal or tax advice.