Last verified: October 2026
Can the Education Freedom Scholarship pay for homeschooling in Tennessee?
No. EFS money can only be spent while the student is enrolled at an EFS-registered Category I, II or III school, and TDOE excludes independent homeschooling explicitly. A homeschooled child may apply, but receives funds only after enrolling at a registered school.
Families who want a partial-week model should ask a registered school whether it offers one, since the rule concerns enrollment, not the number of days on campus.
Which Tennessee program does pay for homeschooling?
The Individualized Education Account (IEA) can, for students with an active IEP in an eligible disability category. The IEA may be used at Category I-V schools, at church-related umbrella programs or for independent homeschooling, and pays for approved curricula, online learning programs, tutoring and educational therapies.
The 2027-28 IEA window is projected to open February 16, 2027.
What is a church-related umbrella school in Tennessee?
An umbrella school is a Category IV church-related school that enrolls homeschooled students, with the parent acting as teacher. Tennessee law allows Category IV schools to run these programs, and TDOE's 2026-27 directory lists 23 umbrella programs based in the five counties.
Umbrella enrollment satisfies Tennessee's attendance law, but it does not open EFS or ESA funding, because those programs exclude Category IV.
Are online schools an option for Nashville homeschool families?
Yes, but the label matters. TDOE keeps a list of approved Category III online schools that require full-time, teacher-led enrollment; using only a school's curriculum counts as homeschooling. The 2026-27 Middle Tennessee ESA list includes 21 online schools, though EFS requires a school with a physical Tennessee location.
Some families also look at online Christian programs such as American Faith Academy (AmFaith). Before you count on state money for any online provider, confirm that it appears on the list for your program.
| Option | What it is | State money? |
|---|---|---|
| Independent homeschool | Registered with the local district; parent teaches | IEA only |
| Category IV umbrella school | Church-related school enrolling homeschoolers | IEA only |
| Category III online school | Full-time, teacher-led accredited online school | ESA list includes some; EFS needs a TN campus |
| Registered EFS school | Category I-III school with a TN campus | EFS, and ESA if approved |
What should a Nashville family do next?
Take the two-minute funding check. A tuition counselor will confirm which program fits, what it is worth for your child and which date is next.