How Tennessee Families May Be Able to Receive Tuition Assistance

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. Enlightium Academy is not participating in Tennessee’s Education Freedom Scholarships (EFS).

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Who is Eligible for the ESA Funds?

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 is 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.

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The Application Process

If your student meets all three eligibility requirements, your family can proceed with the application process.

1. Visit the Application Page: Begin by visiting the designated application page. You will need to create an account to proceed.
2. 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
3. Submit Your Application: Once all sections are completed, submit your application. You will receive a confirmation email acknowledging your submission.
4. Await Review: Applications may take up to 30 days to be reviewed. If approved, you will receive an email detailing the next steps in the process. Follow these instructions to proceed with your funding request.

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Your Steps if Approved

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 page 14 of the ESA family handbook to review the expenses that are covered under the program.
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 the entrance assessments have been completed and sufficient records have been received to assign courses.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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.

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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!

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Enlightium Academy was founded in 2003. We support K–12 students in online, book-based, hybrid, and partner schools. Our dedicated faculty and staff, in collaboration with parents, deliver high-quality instruction and individualized learning. Our focus is on developing each student’s academic, spiritual, physical, social, and emotional well-being. 

To find out if Enlightium is the right school for your family, schedule an appointment, call (509) 319-2288, or visit EnlightiumAcademy.com.

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Sources

• Tennessee ESA Webinar
• Tennessee ESA Application Information