(The Center Square) – Parents can apply for Tennessee’s Education Freedom Scholarships in May, according to the Tennessee Department of Education.
The General Assembly approved the school choice program during a special session in January. Gov. Bill Lee signed the bill into law on Feb. 12. The program begins during the 2025-26 school year.
The scholarships will give students $7,295 a year for tuition and fees at the school of their choice. Half of the 20,000 scholarships available in the initial year of the program are based on income. The household income must fall 300% below the federal free or reduced-lunch price guidelines, which is $173,160 a year for a family of four, according to the department.
The remaining 10,000 scholarships are “universal” with no restrictions.
Families must prove that the student is a U.S. citizen or is lawfully in the country, according to the guidelines.
“For the first time, Tennessee parents in all 95 counties will have the opportunity to enroll their child in the school of their choosing, regardless of income level or ZIP code,” Lee said. “Nearly 200 schools have already signaled intent to participate in the Education Freedom Scholarship program, and I have full confidence in the Tennessee Department of Education’s ability to process applications and deliver excellent educational choices for parents in the coming school year.”
The scholarships will cost the state nearly $146 million in the first year and $188 million in future years, according to the fiscal note on the school choice bill.
Georgia is also beginning a school choice program in the 2025-26 school year. The online application process ends Tuesday, according to the Georgia Promise Scholarship’s website. Students must live in the attendance zone of the 25% lower-performing public schools to receive the $ 6,500-a-year scholarships, which must be used for a private school.
The Georgia General Assembly allocated $141 million for the scholarships.
