Application process for school choice program begins in May – Washington Examiner
In May, parents in Tennessee will be able to apply for the state’s Education Freedom Scholarships as part of a new school choice program approved by the General Assembly adn signed into law by Governor Bill Lee.Set to launch in the 2025-26 school year, the initiative provides up to $7,295 per student for tuition and fees at the school of their choice, with 20,000 scholarships available initially—half of which will be based on income. To qualify, families must demonstrate that their income is under 300% of the federal free or reduced-lunch guidelines, while the other half of the scholarships are “global” with no income restrictions.Governor Lee emphasized that this program offers parents throughout all 95 counties the opportunity to enroll their children in schools based on their choice, rather than geographic or income limitations. The program is projected to cost the state nearly $146 million in the first year. Similarly, Georgia plans to introduce a school choice program during the same academic year, offering scholarships of $6,500 for students in lower-performing public school zones.
Application process for school choice program begins in May
(The Center Square) – Parents can apply for Tennessee’s Education Freedom Scholarships in May, according to the Tennessee Department of Education.
The General Assembly approved the school choice program during a special session in January. Gov. Bill Lee signed the bill into law on Feb. 12. The program begins during the 2025-26 school year.
The scholarships will give students $7,295 a year for tuition and fees at the school of their choice. Half of the 20,000 scholarships available in the initial year of the program are based on income. The household income must fall 300% below the federal free or reduced-lunch price guidelines, which is $173,160 a year for a family of four, according to the department.
The remaining 10,000 scholarships are “universal” with no restrictions.
Families must prove that the student is a U.S. citizen or is lawfully in the country, according to the guidelines.
“For the first time, Tennessee parents in all 95 counties will have the opportunity to enroll their child in the school of their choosing, regardless of income level or ZIP code,” Lee said. “Nearly 200 schools have already signaled intent to participate in the Education Freedom Scholarship program, and I have full confidence in the Tennessee Department of Education’s ability to process applications and deliver excellent educational choices for parents in the coming school year.”
The scholarships will cost the state nearly $146 million in the first year and $188 million in future years, according to the fiscal note on the school choice bill.
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Georgia is also beginning a school choice program in the 2025-26 school year. The online application process ends Tuesday, according to the Georgia Promise Scholarship’s website. Students must live in the attendance zone of the 25% lower-performing public schools to receive the $ 6,500-a-year scholarships, which must be used for a private school.
The Georgia General Assembly allocated $141 million for the scholarships.
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