Every way to pay for private school around Nashville
10 programs and sources for families in the five counties — who qualifies, what each pays in 2026-27 and the next dates to watch.
Last verified: October 2026
Education Freedom Scholarship (EFS)
Tennessee's statewide school-choice scholarship, sometimes called the Tennessee voucher: $7,530 for 2026-27, paid toward tuition and fees at an EFS-registered Category I, II or III private school, with leftovers usable for approved expenses.
Who qualifies →Davidson County · $10,132.54Education Savings Account (ESA) — Metro Nashville
The ESA program that predates EFS, open only to income-qualifying students zoned to Metro Nashville, Memphis-Shelby or Hamilton County schools. For a Metro Nashville student it is worth $10,132.54 in 2026-27.
Who qualifies →Students with an IEPIndividualized Education Account (IEA)
Tennessee's account for K-12 students with an active IEP in one of 11 eligible disability categories. It adds special-education funding to the base amount and, unlike EFS, can be used at any approved private school category or for independent homeschooling.
Who qualifies →Free · Age 4, priority by incomeTennessee Voluntary Pre-K (VPK)
Tennessee's state-funded pre-kindergarten, run by each school district for four-year-olds, with priority for income-eligible children. Districts can place VPK classrooms with community child care partners.
Who qualifies →Ages 6 weeks–K · Income-basedSmart Steps Child Care Payment Assistance (TDHS)
The Tennessee Department of Human Services program that helps working and studying parents pay a licensed child care provider, from infancy through kindergarten, with a weekly copay set by income.
Who qualifies →New · Tennessee opted inFederal Scholarship Tax Credit (2027)
A new federal tax credit starting in 2027 for donations to scholarship granting organizations (SGOs). Tennessee has opted in; the state is still building its list of approved SGOs.
Who qualifies →Catholic schoolsCatholic School Tuition Assistance (Diocese of Nashville schools)
Catholic schools in the five counties belong to or operate within the Diocese of Nashville. Need-based aid is handled school by school, and at least one diocesan high school now expects aid applicants to apply for EFS or ESA first.
Who qualifies →High school · College creditTennessee Dual Enrollment Grant (TSAC)
A state grant administered by the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation that pays up to $620.55 per course for a high school junior's or senior's first five dual-enrollment courses at a two- or four-year college.
Who qualifies →At the schoolSchool-Based Tuition Assistance
Need-based grants, sibling discounts, church-member rates and payment plans offered by the school itself — usually the layer that decides whether the numbers work.
Who qualifies →Partner fundEdu Fund Partner Scholarship
Privately funded help for families enrolling at participating church and community schools, aimed at part of the balance left after state programs. Terms are confirmed during your funding check.
Who qualifies →Upcoming dates
- Nov 2, 2026Father Ryan High School's first-round tuition-assistance deadline for current families — the Catholic high school asks aid applicants to apply for EFS or ESA too
- Nov 16, 2026TDOE opens EFS school registration for 2027-28 (closes April 30, 2027) — the list families will choose from next year starts forming here
- Jan 1, 2027Federal scholarship tax credit begins; Tennessee has opted in and is collecting interest forms from would-be scholarship granting organizations
- Jan 15, 2027Projected EFS Quarter 3 funding event (20% of the year's award)
- Feb 2, 20272027-28 ESA application opens at noon CT for students zoned to Metro Nashville Public Schools (closes April 15, 2027 at 4 p.m. CT)
- Feb 16, 2027Projected opening of the 2027-28 IEA application window for students with an active IEP
- Mar 1, 2027Metro Nashville Public Schools opens its 2027-28 pre-K application
- Jun 30, 2027TSAC Dual Enrollment Grant application deadline for 2026-27 terms; EFS school-enrollment verification deadline for 2027-28
TDOE has not yet posted the 2027-28 EFS student application dates. For 2026-27 the window ran January 13-30, 2026 (renewals opened December 9, 2025), so families should be ready in December.
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