State Rep. Greg Martin, R-Hixson, is urging families in Hamilton County and across Tennessee to apply for the new Education Freedom Scholarship (EFS) program when the application portal opens May 15.
Starting with the 2025–26 school year, all K–12 students in Tennessee can receive a $7,295 scholarship to attend a participating private school that meets their educational needs.
“Parents know what’s best for their children and this scholarship puts them in the driver’s seat,” Martin said. “It opens the door for families to choose the educational path that best supports their child’s future.”
The Tennessee Department of Education will award 20,000 scholarships in the first year of the program. Half will go to income-eligible students through qualified scholarships, while the other half will be available statewide through universal scholarships.
To qualify, students must be Tennessee residents, legally present in the United States, at least five years old by Sept. 30, 2025, entering grades K–12 and have no more than 13 years of prior schooling.
Families applying for qualified scholarships must submit a 2024 federal tax return (Form 1040), proof of participation in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or documentation of eligibility for the Individualized Education Account or Education Savings Account programs. All applicants must provide two forms of Tennessee residency and proof of legal presence in the United States.
The department will process applications on a first-come, first-served basis.
Earlier this year, the General Assembly passed the Education Freedom Act, which expanded school choice statewide. The law includes a growth provision that adds 5,000 universal scholarships each year once applications exceed 75 percent of the current cap.
More than 200 private schools in Tennessee will participate in the EFS program. A list of approved schools is available on the department’s website.
Over the past decade, Republican lawmakers have invested $4.4 billion in new public education funding and more than $1 billion in teacher pay raises. The state’s recently approved $59.8 billion budget includes $244 million in new public school funding through the Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement (TISA) formula and $198.4 million in teacher bonuses.
Hamilton County Schools will continue to provide school choice through the “Choose Hamilton” initiative, offering families a range of academic pathways beyond their zoned schools alongside the Education Freedom Scholarship program.
Rep. Martin represents House District 26, which includes parts of Hamilton County.
Eligible schools in Hamilton County:
Annoor Academy of Chattanooga *REGISTERED*
Avondale Seventh-day Adventist School *REGISTERED*
Baylor School *REGISTERED*
Beacon Academy *REGISTERED*
Belvoir Christian Academy *REGISTERED*
Berean Academy *REGISTERED*
Boyd-Buchanan School *REGISTERED*
Brainerd Baptist School *REGISTERED*
The Bright School *INTENDING TO PARTICIPATE*
Chattanooga Christian School *REGISTERED*
Collegedale Academy *REGISTERED*
Girls Preparatory School *REGISTERED*
Grace Baptist Academy *REGISTERED*
Hamilton Heights Christian Academy *INTENDING TO PARTICIPATE*
Lester Coon Adventist School *REGISTERED*
McCallie School *REGISTERED*
The Montessori School *REGISTERED*
Notre Dame High School *REGISTERED*
Orange Grove School *REGISTERED*
Our Lady of Perpetual Help School *REGISTERED*
Silverdale Baptist Academy *REGISTERED*
Skyuka Hall *REGISTERED*
St. Jude School *REGISTERED*
St. Nicholas School *REGISTERED*
St. Peter's Episcopal School *REGISTERED*