State data shows who received new private school vouchers

More than half of the state's new Education Freedom Scholarship awards went to households earning as high as $173,160, according to data from the state; however, some income data remains outstanding. Priority 3 applicants received 9,360 — or 57% — of the 16,447 scholarships awarded to new applicants. By comparison, 3,970 new scholarships went to Priority 2 students, whose households earn $57,720 or less and qualify for state assistance programs like free or reduced-price meals. The Tennessee Department of Education released the new EFS program data in May after state lawmakers expanded the program from 20,000 to 35,000 available scholarships for the 2026-27 school year. The EFS program uses state funds to pay for students' private school tuition, with $7,530 per student. For the 2026-27 school year, all 35,000 available scholarships were reserved, with the state receiving 56,440 applications total. Of the 35,000 reserved scholarships, 18,553 went to students who already received an EFS scholarship during the 2025-26 school year. The remaining 16,447 scholarships went to new applicants. Under Tennessee law, the department processes applications by priority category and then by the order in which applications were received. Here is a break down of who was awarded the new scholarships: Priority 1 was reserved for students who already had an EFS scholarship during the previous school year, with 18,553 renewal applicants. The Department of Education has not released income information for those recipients, so the new available data does not show how many of those families met income requirements for other priority categories. Priority 2 included students from families earning $57,720 or less per year for a family of four, as well as students who qualified for the state ESA or IEA programs. A total of 3,970 scholarships went to Priority 2 applicants. Priority 3 included students from families earning up to $173,160 per year for a family of four. A total of 9,360 went to Priority 3 applicants. Priority 4 included students who were either already enrolled in a Tennessee public school when they applied or students entering kindergarten. A total of 3,117 scholarships went to applicants in that category. The Department of Education has not released income information for those recipients. Priority 5 is a category for applicants who did not demonstrate eligibility for the other priority categories. No scholarships were reserved for Priority 5 applicants in the initial 35,000 awards, according to the Department of Education. The Department of Education said 17,735 additional applications remain on a waitlist and could be processed if scholarships become available.