Families interested in applying for the Tennessee Education Freedom Scholarship (EFS) program for the 2026–27 school year should mark their calendars for an important upcoming date.

According to the Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE), the new student application for the EFS will open on Jan. 13 at 1 p.m. ET.

In advance of the launch, the department has released several resources designed to help families better understand the program and prepare required materials ahead of the application window. Here's what you need to know.

Where can I find an EFS application checklist?

Click here to access TDOE's 2026-27 New Student Application Checklist. It includes information about the required documentation needed for new applications. The department has also created a handbook to guide families through the process.

When do Tennessee EFS applications close for the 2026-27 school year?

All applications, new student or renewals, must be submitted by Jan. 30, 2026, at 5 p.m. ET.

What if my family has participated in the Tennessee EFS before?

Current EFS recipients should note that the renewal application for the 2026–27 school year opened on Dec. 9, 2025. To continue participating in the program next year, families must submit a renewal application through the EFS online portal.

According to TDOE, every current EFS recipient who wishes to remain in the program is required to complete the renewal process. Families who received EFS funds for the 2025–26 school year and plan to use the scholarship again for 2026–27 must renew their application by the state deadline.

TDOE also noted that current recipients receive top priority for scholarship awards for the upcoming academic year, provided they continue to meet eligibility requirements and submit their renewal application on time.

READ MORE | Tennessee EFS Update: Scholarship Renewal for 2026-27 School Year Opens Dec. 9 for Current Recipients

What has changed for the 2026-27 school year?

Beginning in the 2026-27 school year, the EFS program will shift to a single statewide prioritization system, as mandated by Tennessee law. This new system determines how scholarships are awarded when the number of applications exceeds the number of available scholarships.

Under Tennessee law, scholarships would be awarded in the following order:

1. Current EFS recipients. Students who received an EFS scholarship in the previous school year receive the highest priority for renewal.
2. Students with the greatest financial need or who meet specific eligibility criteria. This includes:
   • Students whose annual household income is at or below 100% of the amount required to qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, or
   • Students who meet eligibility definitions in other Tennessee education statutes, such as students with certain disabilities.
3. Students from households earning up to 300% of the free or reduced price lunch threshold.
4. Students currently enrolled in a public school or are eligible to enter public kindergarten.
5. All other eligible students, in the order in which TDOE receives completed scholarship applications.

Where can I find answers to additional questions about the Tennessee EFS?

Click here to access TDOE's list of frequently asked questions, covering general information, student applications and eligibility, funding disbursement and use, and more.

How St. Nicholas School partners with EFS families in Chattanooga

If you are a current EFS family and have questions about how the scholarship works at St. Nicholas School, or if you are just starting to explore the program, we are happy to help.

St. Nicholas School is an approved EFS school in Chattanooga. We are committed to partnering with families who want their child to be known, challenged, and supported in a nurturing Christian environment that values curiosity, creativity, and community.

Visit our Tennessee EFS page to learn more about how the scholarship works at St. Nicholas School.

You can also call us at 423-899-1999 or email our Admissions Director, Kate McBryar, at kmcbryar@stns.org. We are glad to walk with you as you navigate the EFS renewal process and explore the best school fit for your child.