Tennessee Department of Education, Education Freedom Scholarship (EFS) Program
Education Freedom Scholarships: participating private school registration (2027-28)
Tuition money, not a grant: Tennessee families use Education Freedom Scholarships ($7,530 in 2026-27) at registered private schools. Category I, II or III schools register for 2027-28 from November 16, 2026 to April 30, 2027.
- Amount
- Families use a $7,530 scholarship (2026-27 amount) toward tuition and fees at a registered school
- Can a for-profit school apply?
- Unclear: ask the funder
- Deadline
- Apr 30, 2027 (184 days left)
- Who this fits
- Private school · MicroschoolTennessee private schools approved as Category I, II or III with a physical location in Tennessee, including religious schools in those categories. A microschool must first win one of those approvals. Category IV and V schools, home school umbrellas (Category IV only) and independent homeschools are not eligible.Religious schools: yes
- New schools
- Not stated for new schools
- Where
- Tennessee only
- Last checked
- Oct 28, 2026on tn.gov
Unconfirmed: check with the funder
We couldn’t confirm these on an official page. Treat them as open questions, not facts.
- The 2027-28 scholarship amount (only 2026-27's $7,530 is posted)
- Whether a school with pending Category I approval can register
- Whether a for-profit private school can take part
What to do now
- Step 1: Confirm your school is approved as Category I, II or III (check the state's non-public school list)
- Step 2: If not, apply for Category I from January 5 to May 1, or contact an approved accrediting agency for Category II or III
- Step 3: Register for EFS between November 16, 2026 and April 30, 2027
- Step 4: Read the EFS Handbook and invoicing steps
- Step 5: Questions: EFS.Questions@tn.gov or (615) 741-5158
Funders change their requirements. Check the official page before you apply. Getting ready? See what funders usually ask for.
Who can apply
“School is a Category I, II, or III private school.”
Tuition money, not a grant: the scholarship pays the school for an enrolled student. The school needs a physical location in Tennessee that it owns or leases, and must register with the department each year. EFS registration is separate from state category approval. A new school can ask the department for Category I approval only from January 5 to May 1, which overlaps the April 30 EFS registration deadline, so start early. Registered schools don't have to change their creed, admissions, hiring or curriculum. Each year, scholarship students in grades 3 to 11 take TCAP or a nationally standardized achievement test, and the school reports their results to the Office of Research and Education Accountability (OREA).
- Category I, II or III approval
- Physical location in Tennessee, owned or leased
- Register for EFS between November 16, 2026 and April 30, 2027 (no exceptions)
- Yearly TCAP or nationally standardized test for scholarship students in grades 3 to 11, with results sent to OREA
Timing
School registration for the 2027-28 EFS year opens November 16, 2026 and closes April 30, 2027. The department says no exceptions to the April 30 deadline.