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Worked examples

What's left after the award? Six Middle Tennessee examples

One published tuition and five illustrative ones, each set against the 2026-27 EFS or ESA amount — and what usually closes the gap.

Award vs tuition, 2026-27
ScenarioProgramAwardTuitionResultThen what
Father Ryan High School, grade 9 (published tuition)EFS$7,530$28,750$21,220 to coverPublished 2026-27 tuition. Father Ryan's need-based aid, sibling discount and FACTS payment plans address the balance; aid applicants must also apply for EFS or ESA.
Same student, zoned to MNPS and ESA-eligibleESA$10,132.54$28,750$18,617.46 to coverThe ESA narrows the gap by about $2,600 compared with EFS. Father Ryan is on the Middle Tennessee ESA list.
Church-affiliated elementary, grade 2 (illustrative $8,900)EFS$7,530$8,900$1,370 to coverA gap of under $1,400 before member rates or school aid.
Parish K-8 school, grade 5 (illustrative $7,200)EFS$7,530$7,200$330 left in the accountTuition is under the award, so the remainder can pay for books, uniforms or a licensed tutor, and unused funds carry forward.
Learning-differences day school (illustrative $32,000)EFS$7,530$32,000$24,470 to coverFor a student with an eligible IEP, compare the IEA, which adds special-education funding to the base.
Category IV church school (illustrative $6,500)None—$6,500$6,500 to coverEFS and ESA cannot pay a Category IV school. Member rates, school aid, the IEA (with an IEP) and the Edu Fund Partner Scholarship at participating schools are the options.

Only the Father Ryan tuition is a published figure (fatherryan.org, 2026-27). Other tuitions are illustrative assumptions, not quotes.

Last verified: October 2026

How much is left to pay after the Education Freedom Scholarship at a Nashville private school?

It depends almost entirely on the school. At Father Ryan High School's published 2026-27 tuition of $28,750, a $7,530 EFS leaves $21,220; at a church elementary charging around $9,000, the gap can be under $1,500.

Tuition is not part of any Tennessee state filing, so every figure in the table except Father Ryan's is an illustrative assumption.

What fills the gap after the state award in Middle Tennessee?

School need-based aid, sibling discounts and member rates come first, followed by payment plans. From 2027, scholarships funded through the federal tax credit may add another layer, and at participating church and community schools, the Edu Fund Partner Scholarship.

When tuition is below the award, the remainder can buy approved items such as books, uniforms and tutoring instead.

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