Tennessee – After the Tennessee General Assembly passed the Tennessee Education Freedom Scholarship Act this past January 2025, during a special legislative session, the universal school choice program was created. Governor Bill Lee signed it into law on February 12, 2025. Today, the Volunteer State’s Education Freedom Scholarship program offers $7,295 per student to help families pay for private K–12 school tuition and fees. With 20,000 scholarships available for the 2025–26 school year, half are already reserved for low-income students and those with disabilities, while half are open to families of any income.
For Scholarship Recipients Notified After July 1: Although the application window closed in June, families who weren’t notified of their selection until after July 1 still have until this Thursday, July 31 to activate their scholarship by choosing a participating school.
But while the program expands choice, the average private school tuition in Tennessee tops $11,800 annually, meaning many families—especially those with lower incomes—will still need additional financial support to enroll. Middle-income families may benefit most, while higher-income households could use the scholarship to offset tuition they’re already paying.
Some residents applaud the effort to give parents more options. So while the scholarship opens doors, it doesn’t swing them wide open for everyone, and it might divert resources from public schools down the line.
Once again, for students who were not notified until after July 1 that they received a Tennessee Education Freedom Scholarship, your deadline is this coming Thursday (7/31/2025). Learn More HERE.
More Details (Act Summary): In January 2025, the Tennessee General Assembly passed the Tennessee Education Freedom Scholarship Act during a special legislative session. Governor Bill Lee signed the bill into law on February 12, 2025. This law creates a universal school choice program that gives families public funds—about $7,295 per student—to pay for private school tuition, textbooks, tutoring, and other educational needs. For the 2025–26 school year, the state will offer 20,000 scholarships, split evenly between income-eligible students and all other students regardless of income. Families apply on a first-come, first-served basis, and students must enroll in approved private schools to qualify.
The law includes rules to keep schools and students accountable. Students in grades 3–11 who receive the scholarship must take annual standardized tests or the TCAP to measure progress. To protect public school districts from losing funding due to student transfers, the state will provide extra money to make up for any lost state funds. In addition, public school teachers may receive a one-time $2,000 bonus if their school board or charter school leadership agrees to it. The law also allows the number of scholarships to grow in future years if enough families apply. This program is designed to give families more control over their child’s education while still supporting public schools.
