What are Tennessee Education Freedom Scholarships (EFS)?

Education Freedom Scholarships are state‑funded accounts that let any K‑12 student who is entitled to attend a Tennessee public school redirect state education dollars—about $7,295 per child for 2025‑26—to pay tuition and other approved expenses at a participating private school. The program was created by the Education Freedom Act of 2025 and will award 20,000 scholarships statewide in its first year.

Scholarship Amount & Funding Details

• Amount per student: $7,295 for the 2025‑26 school year. The figure is recalculated each year to track state per‑pupil funding.

• Total seats: 20,000 scholarships. The first 10,000 are reserved for students whose household income is ≤ 300 % of the threshold for reduced‑price lunch or who already qualify for ESA aid; the remaining 10,000 are universal. Awards are made in the order completed applications are received. More details about income eligibility can be found in the EFS Handbook.

Who Is Eligible?

• Residency: Student must live in Tennessee and be eligible to attend a public K‑12 school.

• Citizenship/legal status: At least one document proving U.S. citizenship or lawful presence is required.

• Prior enrollment: Unlike ESA, prior public‑school enrollment or zoned‑district criteria are not required.

What Expenses Can the Scholarship Cover?

Funds must first be applied to private‑school tuition and mandatory fees. After that, families may spend remaining dollars on:

• Textbooks, curricula, instructional materials, and required uniforms.

• Approved summer academic programs.

EFS Timeline for 2025‑2026

• Application portal opens May 15, 2025

  • Submit online application and required docs.

  • Awards are first‑come, first‑served until 20,000 seats are filled.

• Award notifications

  • Rolling, beginning late May

  • Families receive email confirmation once the application is verified and a seat is available.

• Private‑school enrollment deadline

  • Within the window stated in your award letter (generally mid‑July for fall start).

  • Failure to enroll by the stated date forfeits the scholarship for 2025‑26.

  • Spring‑semester awards

    • If seats remain, late‑fall 2025

    • Students accepted mid‑year receive half‑year funding.

Tip: Because seats are limited, families should aim to finish the application well before July 1 to ensure processing time.

Private Schools in Chattanooga & Hamilton County Accepting EFS

The Department of Education has already registered 240+ schools statewide; locally, the following Hamilton‑County schools are on the official list:

• Brainerd Baptist School

• Belvoir Christian Academy

• Berean Academy

• Boyd‑Buchanan School

• The Bright School

• Chattanooga Christian School

• Collegedale Academy

• Girls Preparatory School

• Grace Baptist Academy

• Hickory Valley Christian School

How to Apply

1. Gather documents (proof of residency, birth certificate/valid immigration docs, 2024 tax return or SNAP/TANF letter if seeking income‑priority).

2. Submit the online application starting May 15 at tn.gov/education/efs. Have scans of your documents ready to upload.

3. Watch for confirmation email and complete any follow‑up requests quickly.

4. Enroll at your chosen registered school and have the school confirm attendance in the state portal; only then are funds released.

For specific questions, families can email EFS.Questions@tn.gov or call 615‑741‑5158.

Need help?

• More information can be found on the EFS website.

• If you have any specific questions regarding Brainerd Baptist School and EFS, please reach out to our CFO, Chris Shields (cshields@brainerdbaptist.org).

What are Education Savings Accounts (ESA)?

In addition to the regular financial aid process available to all families, a new option is now accessible to families residing in Hamilton County. The Educational Savings Account (ESA) program started in 2021 in Davidson, Jackson, and Shelby counties and expanded in 2023 to include residents of Hamilton County. With the ESA, families are now able to take the money that the state allocates for their education at a public school and direct it toward the private school of their choice. For the 2025-2026 school year, the allocation is $9,346 per child. The primary objective of this legislation is to provide eligible parents with the freedom to choose the school they desire for their children. We have outlined some general guidelines below, and you can find additional information here.

ESA Deadlines for Private Schools in Chattanooga and Hamilton County

Applications must be submitted by August 1, 2025 for the 2025-2026 school year.

Applications submitted after August 2, 2025, will be evaluated for January 2026 admission at half the total ESA awarded sum. The enrollment for approved candidates for January 2026 must be completed by January 15, 2026, at the latest. Because the admission process has multiple steps, families that are interested in mid-year enrollment are encouraged to begin the process immediately.

What Private Schools in Chattanooga Accepts Education Savings Accounts (ESA)?

Schools interested in accepting the ESA must go through an application process with the state. Brainerd Baptist School is one of several schools in our city that has decided to participate. Schools that are participating in the ESA include:

• Brainerd Baptist School

• Avondale SDA 

• Our Lady of Perpetual Help (OLPH)

• Berean Academy

• Silverdale Baptist Academy

• Chattanooga Christian

• Skyuka Hall

• Grace Baptist Academy

• St. Jude School

How do you Apply for Education Savings Accounts (ESA) In Hamilton County and Chattanooga?

To qualify for the ESA, your student MUST meet one of three criteria:

• Enroll at Brainerd Baptist School in Kindergarten in the 2025-2026 school year.

• Have attended a public school for a full year or started Kindergarten during the 2019-20, 2020-21, or 2021-22 school years.

• Move to Tennessee from out of state and enroll at Brainerd Baptist School (at any grade level and from any school) in the 2025-2026 school year.

In addition to these criteria, there are income requirements. Your annual household income* must be below the following levels:

• 2 household members maximum: $53,144

• 3 household members maximum: $67,132

• 4 household members maximum: $81,120

• 5 household members maximum: $95,108

• 6 household members maximum: $109,096

• 7 household members maximum: $123,084

• 8 household members maximum: $137,072

• Each additional member beyond 8, increases value by $13,988

*Income levels will be based on and verified by your 2024 tax return.

Furthermore, all students in the 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades who receive the ESA grant will be required to take the standardized test given to all students enrolled in public schools in the state.

For any additional questions, please contact Chris Shields.

To schedule a tour with Brainerd Baptist School, click here

Tour Checklist for Parents Considering Using Educational Savings Accounts in Chattanooga and Hamilton County

Consider the following checklist to guide your school tour and interactions with school personnel, ensuring a good fit for your child’s education:

1. Request a School Tour:

   • Speak with school personnel about specific queries regarding your child and the school’s alignment with your values and expectations.

   • Explore any particular interests your child has or programs they participated in at their previous school and wish to continue.

2. Observation & Inquiry During Visit:

   • Inquire about class size, programs and observe classrooms to gauge the school’s fit for your child.

   • Evaluate the technology policy, student-teacher interactions, classroom organization, and other teaching methodologies.

3. Admission Requirements:

   • Check for any entrance or placement exams required.

   • Investigate the availability of financial aid or scholarships and their compatibility with the ESA.

4. Financial Considerations:

   • Look into scholarships for extracurricular activities, after-school care, sports uniforms, or field trips.

   • Understand the meal plan policy and the cost of meals.

5. Daily Logistics:

   • Learn the school’s schedule, early drop-off, and late pick-up policies, including any associated fees.

   • Discover the common modes of transportation for students and if any transportation services are offered by the school.

6. Academic & Extracurricular Offerings:

   • Delve into the non-academic classes offered, such as art, foreign languages, music, and physical education.

   • Explore the curriculum, required reading list, and the types of assessments used.

7. Student Support & Progress Monitoring:

   • Ask about the availability of study hall, teacher support, classroom libraries, and science labs.

   • Understand how student progress is monitored and communicated to parents.

8. Emotional & Behavioral Support:

   • Inquire about support provided for students struggling academically, emotionally, or behaviorally.

9. Engagement & Community:

   • Look for clubs, leadership opportunities, and parent involvement in school activities.

   • Evaluate the sense of community, inclusion, and alignment with your family values.

10. Safety & Communication:

    • Understand the school’s safety protocols, visitor policy, and emergency communication procedures.

    • Explore the school’s code of conduct and behavior policies to see if they reflect your family’s values.

11. Online Portal & Community Service:

    • Ask about any school portal for checking progress and how often it should be reviewed.

    • Inquire about requirements for community service, club, or sports participation.

12. Facilities & Display of Student Work:

    • Evaluate the facilities, outside activity spaces, and observe the student work on display.

This list aims to cover a wide range of considerations to help ensure the school you choose aligns well with your child’s needs and your family’s values.