Tennessee EFS
What to know about Tennessee's new school voucher program
The clock is ticking for families participating in Tennessee’s new school voucher program to choose where they’ll use their scholarship funds for the upcoming 2025-26 school year.
Launched earlier this year, the Tennessee Education Freedom Scholarship (EFS) provides state funds for families with children in grades K-12 to use toward education expenses. This includes tuition and/or fees at registered Category I, II, or III private schools in Tennessee, according to the Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE).
Many families are now receiving their EFS awards, but to put those funds to use, they must select a participating school by the state’s upcoming deadline on July 15, 2025. If you're looking for a place in Chattanooga where your child will be known, challenged, and supported, St. Nicholas School is proud to be a participating partner in the EFS program.
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How much is the Tennessee EFS school voucher worth?
The TDOE said the proposed scholarship amount for the 2025-26 school year is $7,295.
When was the Tennessee EFS school voucher application deadline?
Applications for the 2025-26 school year opened May 15 and closed June 13.
How many Tennessee EFSs will be awarded?
TDOE will award 20,000 scholarships statewide, based on the order in which it received completed applications. Half are reserved for students from lower-income households, while the other half are available to eligible students regardless of income.
Who is eligible for the Tennessee EFS?
Students must be Tennessee residents entitled to attend public school in any grade, kindergarten through twelve (K-12), according to TDOE. Students must also be lawfully present in the United States.
To qualify for the income-based scholarship, a student’s household income must be no more than 300% of the threshold for free or reduced-price lunch, as defined by USDA guidelines. For reference, 300% of the income threshold is $113,442 for a household of two, $143,301 for a household of three, and $173,160 for a household of four.
Where can I find help with the Tennessee EFS?
St. Nicholas School is here to help! If your child was awarded an EFS for the 2025–26 school year and you haven’t yet selected a private school, the July 15th deadline is approaching quickly.
We’d love to talk with you about what makes St. Nicholas a joyful, engaging, and nurturing place for children to learn and grow. Let us help you understand how to apply your scholarship and discover how your family can become part of the St. Nicholas community.
Call St. Nicholas School at 423-899-1999 or e-mail our Admissions Director, Kate McBryar, at kmcbryar@stns.org today. We're happy to guide you every step of the way!