Tennessee, October 5, 2025
News Summary
The Tennessee Department of Education has revealed that all 20,000 scholarships for its new Education Freedom Scholarship Program have been reserved for the upcoming school year. This program provides access to funding for private schooling and aims to address educational resource allocation. With over 42,000 applications submitted, the initiative has raised concerns among public education advocates regarding funding disparities between public and private schools. The scholarships are categorized into income-based and universal options, allowing a significant number of students to seek educational opportunities beyond traditional public education.
Nashville
The Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) has announced significant participation in its newly implemented Education Freedom Scholarship Program. For the 2025-26 school year, all 20,000 available scholarships were reserved, showcasing a high demand for school vouchers in the state. The program allows eligible students access to private schooling funding, representing a shift in the allocation of educational resources.
The scholarships are divided into two categories: 10,000 scholarships are designated for students in households with qualified incomes, while 10,000 universal scholarships are open to all eligible students, regardless of income status. These scholarships can be used at more than 240 participating non-public schools statewide, classified into three categories.
A total of 42,827 applications were submitted for this voucher program, which provides $7,295 per student for private school tuition. This figure contrasts with funding for Tennessee public school students, which is averaged at $7,023 per pupil through the state’s education funding formula known as the Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement (TISA). When accounting for local and federal contributions, the overall average per-pupil TISA allocation rises to $9,810.
The funding disparity has raised alarms among public education advocates who argue that the voucher program is creating inequities in educational funding. Critics emphasize that public school students will receive less state funding than their private school counterparts, causing concerns about impacts on overcrowded schools and pressing resource shortages. Tennessee public school enrollment remains far above voucher participation, with approximately 966,000 children in public schools this year.
In contrast to the fully state-funded Education Freedom Scholarship program—which does not require local contributions—TISA funding relies on input from both local governments and state incorporation. Rural areas generally receive more support from the state, reflecting disparities in funding mechanisms across different regions.
High recipient numbers have been recorded in cities such as Knoxville, where students secured the most scholarships at 2,557. Memphis follows closely with 1,888 scholarships awarded, and Nashville with 1,267. Notably, applications significantly showed a balanced split between income-qualified and universally available scholarships.
Demographics reveal that approximately 68% of applicants identified as White, with 10% as Black or African American, and 8% as multi-racial. Significant application numbers were recorded from major cities: Memphis submitted 4,580 applications (over 10% of total), Knoxville with 4,567, and Nashville with 3,061 applications. Other cities included Chattanooga with 2,294 applications, Murfreesboro with 1,616, and Jackson with 1,357 applications.
Additionally, applications also came from outside Tennessee, including areas like Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and Tulsa, Oklahoma. Of the awarded scholarships, roughly 14,970 (about 75%) went to White students, with other racial demographics including about 7% multi-racial, 5% Black, and 3% Hispanic. Approximately 7% of recipients did not disclose their race or ethnicity.
Key Features of the Education Freedom Scholarship Program
- Total Scholarships Available: 20,000
- Categories: 10,000 income-eligible and 10,000 universal
- Tuition Funding per Student: $7,295
- Public School Student Funding Average: $7,023
- Local + Federal Per-Pupil Average: $9,810
- Total Applications Submitted: 42,827
- Knoxville Scholarships: 2,557
- Memphis Scholarships: 1,888
- Nashville Scholarships: 1,267
FAQs
What is the Education Freedom Scholarship Program?
The Education Freedom Scholarship Program is a new initiative in Tennessee allowing eligible students to receive vouchers for private schooling, providing access to educational resources beyond public schools.
How many scholarships were awarded for the 2025-26 school year?
All 20,000 available scholarships were reserved for the 2025-26 school year.
How much funding does each scholarship provide?
The program provides $7,295 per student for private school tuition.
How does public school funding compare to the voucher program?
Public school students receive an average of $7,023 per pupil through the state’s education funding formula, while voucher recipients receive $7,295.
Where can the scholarships be used?
Scholarships can be used at over 240 participating non-public schools across the state.
What are the demographic statistics of the scholarship recipients?
Approximately 68% of applicants identified as White, 10% as Black or African American, and 8% as multi-racial. About 7% of recipients did not disclose their race or ethnicity.
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Additional Resources
- WJHL: Majority of School Vouchers Awarded to Students in Urban Wealthy Areas of Tennessee
- Wikipedia: Education in Tennessee
- WSMV: Tennessee Releases Data on New School Voucher Program
- Google Search: School Vouchers Tennessee
- Tennessee Lookout: Funding for Voucher Participants vs. Public School Students
- Google Scholar: School Vouchers Tennessee
- WBIR: Knoxville Families Receive Most School Vouchers
- Encyclopedia Britannica: School Voucher
Author: HERE Nashville
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