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
The ESA student application for the 2027-28 school year will open on February 2, 2027, at 12 p.m. CT and will close on April 15, 2027, at 4 p.m. CT.
ESA Award Amount for 2026-27
| Zoned School District | Full-Year ESA Recipient Award Amount | Second Semester ESA Recipient Award Amount* |
|---|---|---|
| Hamilton County Schools | $10,093.89 | $5,046.95 |
| Metro Nashville Schools | $10,132.54 | $5,066.27 |
| Memphis-Shelby County Schools | $10,132.54 | $5,066.27 |
* Please note: Second semester students may only use awarded ESA funds for Quarters 3 and 4. Use of funds for Quarters 1 and 2 will not be allowed.
ESA Allocation Schedule for 2026-27 School Year
| Allocation Dates: | Allocation Percentages: | Second Semester ESA Recipient Allocation Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| August 4, 2026 | Quarter 1 – 50% ESA Funds Disbursed | n/a |
| October 1, 2026 | Quarter 2 – 20% ESA Funds Disbursed | n/a |
| January 5, 2027 | Quarter 3 – 20% ESA Funds Disbursed | Quarter 3 – 90% ESA Funds Disbursed |
| March 1, 2027 | Quarter 4 – 10% ESA Funds Disbursed | 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.
