Educational Freedom Scholarships

We want to make you aware of an important opportunity for families interested in the Education Freedom Scholarship (EFS) for the 2026–2027 school year. The EFS application for NEW students will open on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. (CT). To help families prepare, the Department of Education has released several new and updated resources designed to guide applicants through the process.

New EFS Resources

EFS Step-by-Step Application Guide (Written Instructions)

EFS Step-by-Step Application Guide (Video Instructions)

Additional Helpful Resources

2026–27 EFS Family Handbook – Detailed information on scholarship availability, eligibility, application steps, and program participation

2026–27 EFS New Student Application Checklist – Helps families gather required documentation ahead of the application opening

EFS Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – Answers common questions and will continue to be updated as needed

We strongly encourage interested families to review these materials before the application opens so they are prepared to apply as soon as the portal becomes available. 
 

The Education Freedom Scholarship (EFS) Renewal Application for the 2026-27 school year will open for current recipients on December 9, 2025, at 12 p.m. CT.  Current recipients must submit a renewal application to continue in the program for the next academic year. 

What You Need to Know  

• The Qualified and Universal Scholarship designations were applied only to the 2025-26 school year. Beginning with 2026-27, scholarships will be awarded based on the prioritization outlined in the Education Freedom Act of 2025.
• Current recipients will receive top priority for scholarship awards for the next academic year.
• The renewal application is streamlined from the application you submitted last year.

How to Renew 

• When renewal applications open, log in to your existing EFS account and click “New/Renewal Application” to complete a renewal application.
  • Prior to completing a renewal application, you may be prompted to sign the Parent/Guardian Participation Agreement for the 2025-26 school year upon logging in to your existing portal account, if you have not already done so.
• A Renewal Application Checklist is attached to this email with additional details about the renewal process and eligibility requirements.
• Renewal applications must be completed in the online portal using your account holder credentials. Paper applications will not be accepted for renewal.

Important Deadlines

• To be considered for continued participation, renewal applications must be submitted by January 30, 2026, at 4 p.m. CT.
• The Education Freedom Act is designed for current recipients to receive a scholarship in the next school year, subject to eligibility, regardless of the order in which their applications are received. Current recipients are encouraged to submit their renewal applications as soon as practicable to expedite scholarship awards.  All scholarships are subject to available appropriations.
• Applications for students who are not currently EFS recipients will open on January 13, 2026, at 12 p.m. CT.

Helpful Resources 

• EFS 2026-27 Renewal Checklist
• EFS Webpage

If you have any questions, please contact EFS.Questions@tn.gov. We look forward to supporting your continued participation in the EFS Program.