SCHOOL
CHOICE PROGRAMS
DISCOVER OPTIONS
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ESA Programs
Tennessee has two ESA school choice programs. Learn more about them below.
EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNT PROGRAM (ESA)
2019
ENACTED
2,492
APPROVED APPLICATIONS
The ESA program allows eligible students who are zoned to attend a Shelby County district school, a Metro Nashville public school, Hamilton County, 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.
Student Eligibility:
If you are a resident of Tennessee and zoned to attend a Shelby County District school, a Metro Nashville public school, OR a school that was in the Achievement School District (ASD) on May 24, 2019.
Is entering Kindergarten or will be in 1st through 12th grade.
Is enrolling in Tennessee schools for the first time, OR was enrolled in and attended a Tennessee public school for a full school year last year
If all of the above criteria applies to you than you likely meet part of the application criteria for an ESA. Household income must also meet eligibility requirements.
Students who attended a private school or who were homeschooled last year are not eligible to apply.
Parent Requirements:
Does your family receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits? If yes, be prepared to provide a letter of eligibility of TANF benefits with the application.
You can get a copy of the letter from the Families First office or online HERE
Do you file federal income taxes? The following questions should be answered using your most recent (2021 or 2022) federal income tax return (1040 form):
1. What was your total household size? (Every person claimed on your tax document, including yourself) ______________.
2. What was your total income for that year? (Amount may be found on line 6 of the 2018 Form 1040 or line 7b of the 2021 or 2022 Form 1040.) $__________.
Look at the chart below and find your household size. Then look at the income amount across from your household size.
If your income exceeds the income amount on the chart for your household size you might be eligible for the ESA program.
| Household Size | Twice the Federal Free Lunch Income Guidelines |
| 2 | $47,606 |
| 3 | $59,878 |
| 4 | $72,150 |
| 5 | $84,422 |
| 6 | $96,694 |
| 7 | $108,966 |
INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION ACCOUNT PROGRAM (SPECIAL NEEDS ESA)
Student Eligibility:
Is a resident of Tennessee
Is entering Kindergarten or will be in 1st through 12th grade.
Has an active individualized education program (IEP) through a Tennessee public school district
Has any of the following disabilities listed as the primary or secondary disability on your child's IEP:
Autism
Deaf-blindness
Developmental delay
Dyslexia
Hearing impairments
Intellectual disability
Multiple disabilities (Multiple disabilities is a specific disability category. The words ‘multiple disabilities’ must be listed on the IEP as the primary or secondary disability for the student to be eligible.)
Orthopedic impairments
Specific learning disabilities (dyslexia)
Traumatic brain injury
Visual impairments
IEA funding per pupil depends on the county you live in. The state average is $7,645.
While scholarship amounts depend on the county in which a student lives, students receive, on average, $7,645 towards their education at approved providers.