Tennessee Education Freedom Scholarship Program Reaches Capacity in First Year
Tennessee’s new Education Freedom Scholarship (EFS) Program has filled all 20,000 available seats in its first year, according to a news release from the Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE).
The program, which began in the 2025-26 school year, received 42,827 applications from families across the state. Scholarships were awarded to students in 86 of Tennessee’s 95 counties, with students enrolling at 220 of 241 eligible non-public schools.
Applications Nearly Split Between Income-Based and Universal
The program made 10,000 scholarships available for students from income-qualified households and 10,000 scholarships available for students regardless of income. According to state data, applications were nearly evenly split: 21,164 families applied for the income-based scholarships, while 21,663 applied for the universal option.
The TDOE says families from 94 counties submitted applications, and the state distributed scholarships on a first-come, first-served basis in accordance with state law.
The department says demand for the program was evident within hours of its launch.
“The Education Freedom Scholarship Program provides Tennessee families with additional options to find a learning environment that best fits their student’s unique needs,” Education Commissioner Lizzette Reynolds said in a statement. “I am thrilled with the success and demand demonstrated in the first year.
Long Road to Passage
State lawmakers passed the Education Freedom Scholarship Act in a special session in January, and Governor Bill Lee signed it into law the following month.
The program, sometimes referred to as vouchers, had long been a goal of Governor Lee. He unsuccessfully attempted to pass it in 2024, but lawmakers failed to work out the differences between each chamber’s plan.
Democrats, and some Republicans, in the Tennessee General Assembly have opposed the plan from the beginning, arguing it will siphon money away from local school districts.
