Education Savings Account Program

a.k.a ESA’s

The Education Savings Account (ESA) Program is a school choice program for eligible students in Shelby, Davidson and Hamilton counties. The program was created and adopted by the Tennessee General Assembly in April of 2023. The ESA Program gives families access to public education funds to use on certain for approved educational expenses and private school tuition. 

Eligibilty

Eligibility requirements for participating in the ESA program are:

  • Must be a Tennessee resident
  • Must meet one of the following requirements:
    • Previously enrolled in and attended a Tennessee public school for one full school year immediately before the school year for which the student receives an ESA
    • Eligible for the first time to enroll in a Tennessee public school
    • Used an ESA in the previous school year
    • Currently 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
  • Must belong to a household that has an annual income for the previous year that does not exceed twice the federal income eligibility guidelines for free lunch
  • If identified as “at-risk” as defined in state law, they will automatically meet the income requirements for eligibility
  • “At-risk” is defined as children who are homeless or from households that receive benefits under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.

Find out if your student is eligible by filling out the form.