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 |
ESA Allocation Schedule for 2026-27 Full-Year Enrolled Students
| Allocation Dates: | Allocation Percentages: |
|---|---|
| August 4, 2026 | Quarter 1 – 50% ESA Funds Disbursed |
| October 1, 2026 | Quarter 2 – 20% ESA Funds Disbursed |
| January 5, 2027 | Quarter 3 – 20% ESA Funds Disbursed |
| March 1, 2027 | Quarter 4 – 10% ESA Funds Disbursed |
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.
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
September 1, 2026: Second Semester Only Student Applications Open at 12 p.m. CT – Projected
September 17, 2026: Family Office Hours (1-2 p.m. CT)
October 1, 2026: Quarter 2 Funding Event (20% disbursement) - Projected
October 15, 2026: Second Semester Only Student Applications Close at 4 p.m. CT
November 16, 2026: School Enrollment Verification in Portal Deadline for Second Semester Only
December 10, 2026: Family Office Hours (1-2 p.m. CT)
December 15, 2026: Deadline for Account Holder Contracts/Expense Budgets for Second Semester Only
Please see the full 2026-27 ESA Calendar of Events here.
