A Family Guide to Tennessee’s Three School Choice Programs

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Three Programs, Three Purposes

Tennessee operates three account-based school choice programs created at different times to serve distinct groups of students: ESA, IEA, and EFS. All three provide funding for defined education costs, but each has different eligibility rules and spending limits.

Quick comparison

• ESA supports students in a limited set of districts and typically includes income and prior-enrollment rules.
• IEA serves students with qualifying disabilities who have an active IEP.
• EFS is statewide, open to most K–12 students, but capped in its first year.

Education Savings Account (ESA)

The ESA program operates only in certain districts (commonly associated with parts of Memphis and Nashville). Eligibility depends on residency in those areas and typically includes requirements related to public-school eligibility, prior attendance, and income limits.

If eligible, ESA funds can be used for private-school tuition and other approved learning expenses at participating schools.

Individualized Education Account (IEA)

IEA is designed for students with certain qualifying disabilities. Eligibility generally includes: public-school eligibility, a qualifying disability listed in state law, and an active IEP at the time of application.

IEA funds may cover approved education costs such as:

• Private-school tuition
• Therapies and related services
• Specialized curriculum and learning materials
• Approved educational technology
• Certain home-based or umbrella-school services

Education Freedom Scholarship (EFS)

EFS is Tennessee’s newest and largest scholarship program. It is statewide and generally open to K–12 students eligible for Tennessee public school, but it is capped in the first year.

Awards are projected around the mid-$7,000 range per year, with tuition and required school fees paid first. If funds remain, families may use them for approved items such as curriculum, tutoring, therapies, technology, and certain transportation costs.

How ESA, IEA, and EFS fit together

EFS doesn’t replace ESA or IEA — it adds a statewide option. Families typically compare:

• Families in ESA districts may compare ESA and EFS
• Families with qualifying disabilities may compare IEA and EFS
• Families outside ESA districts often focus on EFS

Students typically participate in only one program at a time; funds aren’t combined.

Where to check eligibility or apply

The Tennessee Department of Education maintains separate pages for ESA, IEA, and EFS, including instructions, timelines, and rules. Use those pages to confirm eligibility and find the current year’s application windows.