The ESA student application for the full 2026-27 school year has closed. The ESA student application for the second semester will open on September 1, 2026, at 12 p.m. CT and will close on October 15, 2026, at 4 p.m. CT. The second semester award amount is half of the full year award, and students will begin attendance in January 2027.
Tennessee Education Savings Account (ESA) Program
| ESA Award Amounts for 2026-27 School Year: |
|---|
| Hamilton County Schools: $10,093.89 |
| Metro Nashville Schools: $10,132.54 |
| Memphis-Shelby County Schools: $10,132.54 |
What is the ESA program?
The ESA program allows eligible students who are zoned to attend Memphis-Shelby County Schools, Metro Nashville Public Schools, Hamilton County Schools, or a school that was in the Achievement School District (ASD) on May 24, 2019, to use state and local money toward education expenses, including tuition and/or fees at approved participating non-public schools.
The Tennessee Education Savings Account Program (ESA) was established and guided by state law, Tenn. Code Ann. 49-6-2601 et al. and State Board of Education Rule 0520-01-16. Chapter 1069 of the Public Acts of 2026 amends the testing requirements for this program.
Contact Information
For Application Questions: ESA.Applications@tn.gov
For Enrollment and School Questions: ESA.Questions@tn.gov
For Finance Questions: ESA.Finance@tn.gov
ESA Key Dates
April 15, 2026: ESA student application for 2026-27 school year opens.
May 26, 2026: ESA student application for 2026-27 school year closes.
June 30, 2026: Deadline for families to select school and for school to verify enrollment.
July 30, 2026: Deadline for families to submit ESA account holder contract and budget.
