Last verified: October 2026
| Program | 2026-27 amount | Who it is for | What it isn't |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education Freedom Scholarship | $7,530 | Any eligible Tennessee K-12 student, by priority tier | Not usable at Category IV/V schools |
| ESA — Metro Nashville zone | $10,132.54 full year / $5,066.27 second semester | Income-qualifying students zoned to MNPS | Not open outside the MNPS, Memphis-Shelby and Hamilton zones |
| IEA | TISA base + average special-ed funding | Students with an eligible Tennessee IEP | Not a single published figure |
| Dual Enrollment Grant | Up to $620.55 per course (courses 1-5) | High school juniors and seniors | Not unlimited: 10 courses maximum |
How much does each Tennessee school-choice program pay for 2026-27?
For 2026-27, the Education Freedom Scholarship pays $7,530 per student statewide, and the Education Savings Account pays $10,132.54 for a full year to a qualifying student zoned to Metro Nashville Public Schools ($5,066.27 for second semester only). The IEA pays the TISA base plus average special-education funding, so its amount varies by student and is not published as a single figure.
The Dual Enrollment Grant adds up to $620.55 per college course for a junior or senior's first five courses.
Why is the ESA bigger than the Education Freedom Scholarship?
The ESA uses the lesser of the zoned district's average TISA allocation and the statewide average of state plus local TISA dollars per pupil, so it includes local money. EFS equals only the state's TISA base and is funded solely by the state.
That is also why the ESA amount for Hamilton County ($10,093.89) differs slightly from Metro Nashville's.
Does the Education Freedom Scholarship amount change by grade?
No. Unlike some states' vouchers, EFS pays the same $7,530 at every grade from kindergarten through 12th for 2026-27, so it covers a larger share of tuition at a church elementary school than at a college-prep high school.
The amount tracks the TISA base, so it can change from year to year with the state budget.