Applications
How to Apply
- The standard submission of the application for the 2024-25 school year is via the online application.
- If you wish to download, print, complete, and mail your application or submit it in person, you may do so by completing the application English/Spanish/Arabic and attaching copies of your documentation. Please send to the following address:
ESA Program c/o TDOE
Andrew Johnson Tower, 10th Floor
710 James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, TN 37243
Important Application Dates
- August 31, 2024: Student enrollment deadline for Fall 2024.
- January 2, 2025: Application deadline for Winter 2025.
- January 31, 2025: Student enrollment deadline for Winter 2025.
Program Eligibility Guidelines
A student is eligible to receive an ESA if they meet all of the following criteria:
1. Tennessee resident zoned to a qualifying school district
| To be eligible for the ESA Program the student: |
|---|
| Must be a resident of Tennessee and zoned to attend a Memphis-Shelby County district school, a Metro Nashville public school, a Hamilton County public school, OR a school that was in the Achievement School District (ASD) on May 24, 2019. |
2. Annual income that does not exceed twice the federal income eligibility guidelines for free lunch
Is your income less than the income amount on the chart for your household size? If not, you are not eligible for the ESA program.
To be eligible for the ESA Program, a family’s annual household income must not exceed twice the limit for federal free lunch.
| Household Size | Twice the Federal Free Lunch Income Guidelines |
|---|---|
| 2 | $53,144 |
| 3 | $67,132 |
| 4 | $81,120 |
| 5 | $95,108 |
| 6 | $109,096 |
| 7 | $123,084 |
| 8 | $137,072 |
| Each additional member beyond 8 | $13,988 |
Options for showing proof of income are limited to the following:
1. Federal tax return (Form 1040, most recent for 2023) - a W-2 is not sufficient as it may not be reflective of your total income, nor does it include household size. Note: Individuals listed on the 1040 are considered household members, and the total income (line 9) is the amount used for calculating income eligibility with household size. The applicant child should be listed as a dependent;
OR
2. Tennessee Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) most recent benefits statement or letter of eligibility dated within the past 12 months;
OR
3. TennCare benefits that are currently active for the child on the application, including a card or verification letter;
OR
4. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) most recent benefit statement or letter of eligibility indicating the student as a recipient dated within the past 12 months.
3. Meets one of the following enrollment requirements
To be eligible for the ESA program, the student must meet one of the following requirements:
- was previously enrolled in and attended a Tennessee public school for the one full school year immediately preceding the school year for which the student receives an ESA;
- is eligible for the first time to enroll in a Tennessee school; Please note: If the child is turning 5 years old between August 15 and September 30, a letter of admission from the director of a school is required and should accompany the application. The letter must indicate that through testing and evaluation, the child was found sufficiently mature emotionally and academically to enter kindergarten.
- received an ESA in the previous school year;
- was enrolled in and attended a Tennessee public school for one full school year in 2019-20, 2020-21, or 2021-22 school year; or
- was eligible for the first time to enroll in a Tennessee public school in the 2019-20, 2020-21, or 2021-22 school year.
Upon receipt of an application, a confirmation email will be sent. Application review can take up to 30 days based on volume received. Families can review the status of their application by logging into the online application webpage. Upon review, families will receive an email with a decision and next steps.