Learn More About the Tennessee ESA Program

Welcome to an exciting opportunity for private school students in Tennessee! Are you looking for ways to finance your student’s education? You may be eligible for significant funding through Tennessee's Education Savings Account (ESA) program. This initiative is designed to help families afford the best educational options for their children. Tennessee’s ESA program awarded approximately $9,800 to each full-year* participant for the 2025-2026 school year.

*Students who enroll after the fall application or enrollment deadlines may not receive the full year’s scholarship.

Note: The information on this page is for Tennessee’s Education Savings Account (ESA) program. To learn how Enlightium Academy works with Tennessee’s Education Freedom Scholarships (EFS), click here.

This page is intended as a starting point to help you navigate the ESA program. Enlightium Academy cannot guarantee ESA eligibility or funding amounts. For the most up-to-date information, please visit the ESA website.

To be eligible for the funds, a student must meet three criteria: income eligibility, zoning requirements, and at least one additional criterion.

Income Eligibility:

• Household income must not exceed twice the federal income limit for free lunch. Current income limits can be found on this page.

Zoning Requirements:

• Students must be zoned for a school in one of the following districts:
  • Metro Nashville Public School
  • Memphis-Shelby School
  • Hamilton County School
  • A school that was part of the Achievement School District in May 2019

Additional Criteria:

• The student may be eligible if they meet at least one of the following conditions:
  • Is newly eligible to enroll in a Tennessee public school (entering kindergarten for the first time or recently moved to Tennessee).
  • Attended a Tennessee public school for the full school year before applying for the ESA. For example, a student who completed the 2024-2025 school year in a Tennessee public school would be eligible to apply for the ESA for the 2025-2026 school year.
  • Became eligible to enroll in a Tennessee public school or attended a Tennessee public school for a full school year during the 2019-2020, 2020-2021, or 2021-2022 school years.

1. Find the Next Application Window: Check the ESA website to see when the next application opens. If the application is currently open, proceed to step 2.
2. Visit the Application Page: Begin by visiting the designated application page. You will need to create an account to proceed.
3. Complete the Required Sections: Fill out the application, ensuring you provide all required information, including:
   1. Student and Parent Demographic Information
   2. Prior School Enrollment Eligibility
   3. Residency and Income Verification
4. Submit Your Application: Once all sections are completed, submit your application. You will receive a confirmation email acknowledging your submission.
5. Await Review: Applications may take up to 30 business days to be reviewed. If approved, you will receive an email detailing the next steps in the process.

1. Review the ESA Family Handbook: Start by thoroughly reading the ESA family handbook to understand all the terms, conditions, and benefits.
2. Complete the ESA Account Holder Contract: Log in to your ESA Portal Account and complete your ESA Account Holder contract as required.
3. Review Covered Expenses: Refer to the ESA family handbook for a list of covered expenses.
4. Enroll with Enlightium Academy: Proceed with enrolling/re-enrolling your student with Enlightium Academy. You will need to fill out Enlightium’s enrollment form and enroll within the ESA portal.
5. Update School Information: In your ESA Portal Account, navigate to the “My ESA Application” tab. From there, click on “select school” and update your child’s school information to Enlightium Academy for the applicable school year.
6. Verification of Enrollment: Enlightium Academy will verify your student’s enrollment as the final step in the process.
   1. Note: Enlightium Academy will not be able to verify your student’s enrollment until your student has completed the admissions process.

Does Enlightium Academy qualify for ESA funds?

Yes, students who are approved for the Tennessee ESA can use their funding to pay for Enlightium Academy tuition and approved fees.

How can I pay Enlightium Academy directly through my student’s ESA?

Student First Technologies has step-by-step instructions for paying vendors directly. You can view these instructions here. If you prefer to watch video instructions, you can find those here.

What if we decide to return to public school in the middle of the school year?

If you choose to withdraw from Enlightium and wish to continue receiving ESA funds, you must:

• Enroll in a new ESA-participating school or
• Enroll in a non-participating Category I, II, or III non-public school.

If neither of the above options is met, your ESA account will be closed. The ESA award amount would be prorated based on the amount of time the student was eligible for the ESA. In the event that there is a remaining balance due to Enlightium Academy after the ESA is prorated, the parent would be responsible for any remaining tuition or fees.

Do Tennessee ESA students need to participate in standardized testing?

Yes. All students participating in Tennessee’s ESA program are required to take a standardized assessment. Enlightium will administer the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) at various locations throughout the state of Tennessee. Participating families will receive more information as testing dates approach.

Am I still eligible for tuition discounts if I use the Tennessee ESA?

Yes. However, payments must be made either annually or quarterly.

How do I know if my student’s tuition has been received?

Enlightium will send an email confirmation when the payments have been completed by the ESA.

In conclusion, navigating the process for obtaining educational funds through Tennessee's ESA program may seem daunting, but by following the outlined steps, you can streamline your application and secure the necessary funding for your child's education at Enlightium Academy. Remember, the key to a smooth application process is thorough preparation and timely submission of all required documents. Should you have any questions or need further clarification, don't hesitate to consult the ESA family handbook or contact the support team through your ESA Portal Account. We're excited to support you and your child on this educational journey!