Families & Students
We are excited that you are either a participating family or are interested in gathering more information about participating in the ESA Program. We have listed resources below that will help you on your journey to choosing the best educational option for your child. If you have questions or would like to speak to an ESA Specialist, you can email ESA.Questions@tn.gov for general questions, ESA.Applications@tn.gov for questions concerning applications, or call our helpline at 615-741-9360. Your call will be answered within 1-2 business days.
ESA Winter Application and Enrollment Deadlines
The Fall 2023 ESA application deadline was August 1, 2023. Applications received and/or postmarked between August 2, 2023, and January 5, 2024, will be reviewed for January 2024 enrollment at one-half the total ESA awarded amount.
Enrollment for January 2024 approved applicants will be due no later than January 15, 2024.
Resources for Families
ESA 2023-24 Family Handbook: A guide to the ESA Program for Families
ESA Finance Webinar for Families
ESA FAQ for Participating Families
ESA Withdrawal or Transfer Procedures for Families
ESA Ferpa Waiver - English / Spanish / Arabic
Tennessee Education Savings Account (ESA) Pre-Approval Process
It is time for all ESA Account Holders to begin the pre-approval process for expenses. All ESA expenses must be pre-approved. The instructions below outline this process:
Step one: The ESA team must receive enrollment verification from the school that includes school fees. This verification should be emailed to ESA.Questions@tn.gov.
Step two: The ESA team will email the account holder a link to the ESA contract. The account holder must sign the contract and submit it online.
Step three: The ESA team will email the account holder a link to the expense pre-approval form that the account holder must complete and submit online. The email will also include the ESA amount and any roll-over funds from the previous year.
Step four: The ESA team will review all expense pre-approval forms. Once approved, the account holder will receive a final approval email.
For more information, watch this webinar on the pre-approval process.
If you still have questions about this process after watching the webinar, contact Andrea Nichols at Andrea.Nichols@tn.gov or Joshua Danner at Joshua.Danner@tn.gov.
What is the difference between an ESA and an IEA?
An Individual Education Account (IEA) can be used if the student has a qualifying disability in the student’s IEP. Families can use the IEA scholarship to attend participating non-public schools. The amount of the scholarship depends on the school district’s per pupil amount in which the student resides. The IEA has no income restrictions. For more information on the IEA program, click here.
“I’m very pleased and thankful for this blessing. It is not easy being a single parent, but we have been very blessed. Everything was smooth.”
-Memphis mother of a kindergarten ESA Student