Homeschool funding & ESAs in Tennessee
Tennessee offers an education savings account (ESA) that homeschooling families can use, plus the scholarships, grants, and tax-credit options below.
Tennessee ESA programs
Individualized Education Account (IEA)
The only homeschool-usable TN program: for a student with a qualifying disability. You stay a registered TN homeschooler (still file the LEA Intent-to-Homeschool form).
Runs through: Way2Go debit card (Conduent)
Official program & application →Tennessee Education Savings Account Program
~$10,188/yrIncome-capped (≤200% of free/reduced lunch threshold). Davidson, Hamilton, and Shelby counties ONLY — Knox County expansion failed Senate 16-14 in April 2026. Must have prior public school enrollment OR be entering Kindergarten.
Runs through: ClassWallet
Official program & application →Tennessee Education Freedom Scholarship
~$7,530/yrAny TN K-12 student — BUT requires enrollment in a Category I, II, or III registered private school. Independent homeschoolers registered only with their school district do NOT qualify. Homeschoolers can access EFS by enrolling under a participating umbrella or church school (Category I-III). 35,000 slots for 2026-27 fully reserved; 17,735 on waitlist. Applications for 2027-28 open approximately January 2027 for ~17 days.
Runs through: state_portal
Official program & application →Tennessee's main scholarships run through a private school. One exception for homeschoolers.
Tennessee's Education Freedom Scholarship and ESA require enrolling in a registered private/umbrella school — independent homeschoolers don't qualify. The one homeschool-usable path is the IEA, for a student with a qualifying disability: you stay a registered TN homeschooler and the funds run through a state debit card with quarterly receipt reporting. The ESA Wallet keeps those quarterly receipts straight.
- IEA receipts captured and quarter-ready (the IEA audits every quarter)
- Stay a registered TN homeschooler on the IEA path
- Don't miss the application window
The EFS and ESA are private-school money, not independent-homeschool money. The IEA is the homeschool-usable one — but only for a student with a qualifying disability.
Scholarships, grants & tax credits
ACT Today! Grant
For U.S. families of a child with an autism diagnosis (priority to household income under $100k). Covers ABA therapy, speech/OT, assistive and communication technology, safety equipment, and social-skills programs.
Dyslexia Services Foundation Grant
For low-income U.S. children with dyslexia who cannot otherwise afford treatment (need shown via free/reduced lunch, Medicaid, or SNAP). Funds research-based dyslexia tutoring, paid directly to clinicians.
HSLDA Compassion Curriculum Grant
For HSLDA members with significant financial need (legal custody of a child 6-19, homeschooling 3+ months). Covers curriculum, books, co-op tuition, testing, tutoring, and school technology.
HSLDA Disaster Relief Grant
For homeschooling families (child 6-19) with physical disaster damage in the past 18 months. Covers emergency needs plus replacement curriculum and materials. First-time applicants need not be HSLDA members.
MyGOAL Autism Grant
For the primary caregiver of a child under 18 with autism, with demonstrated financial need. Covers therapies plus educational, enrichment, and socialization activities not covered elsewhere.
Our Military Kids Grant
For children (1-18) of deployed National Guard/Reserve members (60+ days) or of post-9/11 combat-injured service members and veterans. Funds enrichment activities: tutoring, sports, arts, camps, and STEM.
UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation Grant
For U.S. children aged 16 or under with commercial (non-public) health insurance, subject to income guidelines. Covers medical needs not paid by insurance — therapies, assistive devices, and equipment.
Funding programs change often. About Time organizes receipts and checks likely eligibility — it does not file or submit on your behalf. Confirm amounts, eligibility, and deadlines with each program before you rely on them.