Important EFS Application Information

The Education Freedom Scholarship (EFS) Renewal Application for the 2026–2027 school year will open for current recipients on December 9, 2025, at 12pm. Current recipients must submit a renewal application to continue in the program for the next academic year. The following as well as more information about the EFS can be found at the Tennessee Department of Education website.

Key Dates for the EFS Application

Current Participants - December 1, 2025
EFS Renewal Information was sent to current recipients from the State of Tennessee via email (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.). If your son is currently enrolled in the EFS program, please check your email for instructions from the State of Tennessee. Instructions for renewals are also listed below.

Current Participants - December 9, 2025, 12pm
Application window opens for 2026–2027 EFS Renewal Applications. (This is only for students receiving EFS funds at the time of application.) Current EFS students must submit a renewal application in order to continue the program for the 2026–2027 school year.

New Participants - January 13, 2026, 12pm
Application window opens for 2026–2027 new EFS applications. If you applied for the EFS last year and were not approved, you are considered a new EFS applicant.

All Participants - January 30, 2026, 4pm
Application Window Closes for ALL 2026–2027 EFS Applications.

If you have any questions, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Renewal Information for Current EFS Participants:

What You Need to Know

• The Qualified and Universal Scholarship designations were applied only to the 2025–2026 school year. Beginning with 2026–2027, scholarships will be awarded based on the prioritization outlined in the Education Freedom Act of 2025.
• Current recipients will receive top priority for scholarship awards for the next academic year.
• The renewal application is streamlined from the application you submitted last year.

How to Renew

• When renewal applications open, log in to your existing EFS account and click “New/Renewal Application” to complete a renewal application.
• Prior to completing a renewal application, you may be prompted to sign the Parent/Guardian Participation Agreement for the 2025–2026 school year upon logging in to your existing portal account, if you have not already done so.
• Here is a Renewal Application Checklist with additional details about the renewal process and eligibility requirements.
• Renewal applications must be completed in the online portal using your account holder credentials. Paper applications will not be accepted for renewal.

Important Deadlines

• To be considered for continued participation, renewal applications must be submitted by January 30, 2026, at 4pm.
• The Education Freedom Act is designed for current recipients to receive a scholarship in the next school year, subject to eligibility, regardless of the order in which their applications are received. Current recipients are encouraged to submit their renewal applications as soon as practicable to expedite scholarship awards. All scholarships are subject to available appropriations.
• Applications for students who are not currently EFS recipients will open on January 13, 2026, at 12pm..

Helpful Resources

• EFS 2026–27 Renewal Checklist
• EFS Webpage