Last verified: October 2026
When are the next Tennessee school choice deadlines for Nashville families?
The next state-program openings are the ESA on February 2, 2027 (through April 15) and the IEA on a projected February 16, 2027. EFS dates for 2027-28 are not yet posted; last year's window ran January 13-30.
Mark early December as the time to have documents ready for EFS.
What EFS dates still matter during the 2026-27 school year?
The remaining 2026-27 EFS funding events are projected for January 15, 2027 (20%) and March 15, 2027 (10%). The Marketplace closes for technology and uniforms on April 30, 2027 and for all remaining products and services on June 25, 2027.
School enrollment for 2027-28 must be verified in the portal by June 30, 2027.
All dates in order
- 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.
| Program | Status | Next window |
|---|---|---|
| EFS 2027-28 | Not yet open | Dates not posted; 2026-27 ran Jan 13-30 |
| ESA 2027-28 | Not yet open | Feb 2 - Apr 15, 2027 |
| IEA 2027-28 | Not yet open | Projected Feb 16, 2027 |
| MNPS pre-K 2027-28 | Not yet open | Opens Mar 1, 2027 |
| Dual Enrollment Grant 2026-27 | Open | Due June 30 |
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.