Tennessee – The Tennessee Department of Education is gearing up for the official launch of the Education Freedom Scholarship Program by releasing a detailed Step-By-Step Guide to help families navigate the application process.
Starting Thursday, May 15, families across all 95 Tennessee counties will have the opportunity to apply for the program and select the best-fit school for their child, regardless of income or location.
Governor Bill Lee expressed his enthusiasm about the program, stating, “For the first time, families in all 95 Tennessee counties will have the opportunity to enroll their child in the school that best fits their needs, regardless of income or ZIP code.
I’m grateful to the schools that have registered to participate in the Education Freedom Scholarship Program and look forward to delivering excellent educational choices for students.”
The TDOE’s newly released guide is designed to assist families through the application process with ease. The guide includes clear instructions and helpful screenshots to walk applicants through the necessary steps in the state’s online portal. Families will need to answer a few brief questions and upload supporting documents to verify their eligibility for the program.
In preparation for high traffic volumes when the application portal opens, the TDOE has conducted extensive load testing and implemented a virtual queuing tool. This will ensure that families who access the portal are placed in a virtual queue and maintain their position as long as they do not exit the application window.
To ensure applicants are fully prepared, families are encouraged to refer to the Application Checklist, EFS Family Handbook, and updated Frequently Asked Questions. These resources are designed to help families gather the required documentation and submit a complete application on May 15. The department will review applications in the order they are received.
The TDOE also encourages interested families to sign up for email updates to stay informed. Families can find the most up-to-date list of registered and participating schools on the EFS webpage. With 230 schools currently listed, families can begin planning for the 2025-26 school year. TDOE continues to work on registering additional schools to ensure that the program benefits as many students as possible.
For more information on the Education Freedom Scholarship Program, families can visit the EFS webpage to access all resources and stay up to date on program details.