CLARKSVILLE, TN – The Education Freedom Scholarship (EFS), a Tennessee-funded initiative supporting students from kindergarten through 12th grade with scholarships for private and independent school education, begins its second year next week.
EFS opened for applications last May and quickly became one of Tennessee’s most sought-after scholarships. For the 2025-26 academic year, each recipient was awarded $7,295 toward private school tuition. The state received over 42,000 applications, but only 20,000 scholarships were available. Initially, it was stated that additional scholarships would be added in subsequent years, raising the 20,000 to a greater number.
Late last year, the Tennessee Department of Education announced that the new application would open earlier than before. Families currently receiving the scholarship were able to reapply in December and will receive priority for the 2026-27 school year. New applicants can begin submitting applications at noon on January 13. Since applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis, families are strongly encouraged to apply as soon as the window opens…