Tennessee Education Savings Account Program

What is the ESA program?

The ESA program allows eligible students to use state and local money toward education expenses, as well as tuition or fees at approved private schools. The ESA program will begin in the 2020-21 school year.

Check your eligibility and start your application.

I Am a Family Member
I Am a Private School

What is the ESA program?

The ESA program allows eligible students who are zoned to attend a Shelby County district school, a Metro Nashville public school, or a school that was in the Achievement School District (ASD) to use state and local money toward education expenses, including tuition and/or fees at approved private schools.

NOTICE: The Chancery Count of Davidson County lifted the injunction on the Education Savings Account on July 13, 2022 at 9:51 am.  The work to reinstate the ESA program is underway, and resources will be added to this website.

Service Provider Requests for Applications

The Tennessee Education Savings Account (ESA) Program is currently accepting Requests for Applications (RFAs) from organizations interested in becoming service providers for the Tennessee ESA Program. To access more information about the application process, click the link below:

2023-2024_ESA_Service_Providers
For more information, contact Chad Gordon at Chad.Gordon@tn.gov.

Student Application Now Available

The department has released the ESA application for students interested in participating in the program. The department will be releasing more information regarding deadlines and enrollment timelines next week.

To complete this application, you will need to fill in the required fields and attach copies of your documents. Do not send original documents.  

PLEASE NOTE: No applications will be accepted via email. All submissions and documents must be mailed to the department.

———————————————————————————————–

Families have two options in completing this form:

  1. Print and fill out the application by hand. Families can print and then handwrite responses before mailing.
  2. Fill out the application on a computer before printing and mailing.

 

Once your application is filled out, prepare to mail your application to us for review. Please ensure all needed documents are included with your application. Then, send the complete application with supporting documentation to the following mailing address:

ESA Program c/o TDOE
Andrew Johnson Tower, 10th Floor
710 James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, TN 37243

The priority deadline for 2023-24 ESA student applications is May 17, 2023. All applications received will be reviewed in the order of receipt.

Application Addendum for 2023-24 Expanded Student Eligibility

Application Addendum
Download the application PDF

Weekly online office hours with our ESA Specialists will be held every Thursday from 11a.m – 12p.m. (CT). Click here to join and get one-on-one answers to your ESA questions about the application process, next steps after approval, or the options for schools and funding.

Additional Resources

Families are invited to review this short video and this webinar for parents to learn more about ESA program eligibility.

Appeal Process for Applicant Families and Participating Families 

Families may appeal the department’s decision to deny, suspend, or terminate a student’s participation in the ESA Program. If a family is appealing the decision for multiple children, a separate appeal form must be completed for each child. 

Private school classroom

What is the ESA program?

The ESA program allows eligible students who are zoned to attend a Shelby County district school, a Metro Nashville public school, or a school that was in the Achievement School District (ASD) to use state and local money toward education expenses, including tuition and/or fees at approved private schools.

NOTICE: The Chancery Count of Davidson County lifted the injunction on the Education Savings Account on July 13, 2022 at 9:51 am.  The work to reinstate the ESA program is underway, and resources will be added to this website.

Service Provider Requests for Applications

The Tennessee Education Savings Account (ESA) Program is currently accepting Requests for Applications (RFAs) from organizations interested in becoming service providers for the Tennessee ESA Program. To access more information about the application process, click the link below:

2023-2024_ESA_Service_Providers
For more information, contact Chad Gordon at Chad.Gordon@tn.gov.

Student Application Now Available

The department has released the ESA application for students interested in participating in the program. The department will be releasing more information regarding deadlines and enrollment timelines next week.

To complete this application, you will need to fill in the required fields and attach copies of your documents. Do not send original documents.  

PLEASE NOTE: No applications will be accepted via email. All submissions and documents must be mailed to the department.

———————————————————————————————–

Families have two options in completing this form:

  1. Print and fill out the application by hand. Families can print and then handwrite responses before mailing.
  2. Fill out the application on a computer before printing and mailing.

 

Once your application is filled out, prepare to mail your application to us for review. Please ensure all needed documents are included with your application. Then, send the complete application with supporting documentation to the following mailing address:

ESA Program c/o TDOE
Andrew Johnson Tower, 10th Floor
710 James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, TN 37243

The priority deadline for 2023-24 ESA student applications is May 17, 2023. All applications received will be reviewed in the order of receipt.

Application Addendum for 2023-24 Expanded Student Eligibility

Application Addendum
Download the application PDF

Weekly online office hours with our ESA Specialists will be held every Thursday from 11a.m – 12p.m. (CT). Click here to join and get one-on-one answers to your ESA questions about the application process, next steps after approval, or the options for schools and funding.

Additional Resources

Families are invited to review this short video and this webinar for parents to learn more about ESA program eligibility.