(The Center Square) – The number of applicants for Tennessee’s Education Freedom Scholarships swelled to more than 56,000 for the 2026-27 school year as lawmakers debate whether or not to expand the program.
More than 38,000 applied for the $7,295 scholarships for the 2025-2026 school year, its inaugural year, according to the Tennessee Department of Education. The law, passed in 2025, provides for 20,000 scholarships in the first year and an additional 5,000 in subsequent years.
Gov. Bill Lee is asking lawmakers to double the number of scholarships to 40,000 for the 2026-27 year, increasing the allocation from $144 million to $155 million.
Of the 56,642 applications received, 18,644 were renewals, and 37,798 were new applications, the Department of Education said in a news release.
Half of the scholarships awarded are based on income and 17,426 of the applications were income-based, the department said. Applications were received from 94 of Tennessee’s 95 counties.
“Interest in the Tennessee EFS Program has remained strong across the state in its second year,” said Lizzette Reynolds, Commissioner of Education. “Families are making thoughtful decisions about their children’s education, exploring a variety of options to ensure every child can find the best fit for a unique academic journey.”
Lawmakers from both parties are asking for more information about who receives the scholarships. House Bill 1052 by Rep. Sam McKenzie, D-Knoxville, failed to make it out of a House subcommittee on Tuesday.
Dickson Republican Jody Barrett’s House Bill 1544 is still pending. It would require the Department of Education to submit an annual report that includes the counties where students reside, the private school they enrolled in, their grade level, and household income. The report would also include how much the state has spent on the scholarships.
“The biggest concern is just making sure that if we’re going to create a program that we’re labeling as a freedom scholarship or providing some sort of access to escape failing schools, then we want to make that the money we’re spending that is the taxpayers month, not ours, is being spent wisely and effectively and actually accomplishing the goal the the bill is being held out to achieve,” Barrett said in a January interview with TCS.
The Education Freedom Scholarship is facing a legal challenge from five organizations representing 10 plaintiffs who said the scholarship program diverts money from public schools and discriminates against students with disabilities. The suit is pending in Davidson County Chancery Court.
