NASHVILLE, Tenn. – State Rep. Mike Sparks, R-Smyrna, is encouraging interested families in Rutherford County to apply for Education Freedom Scholarships beginning May 15. All Tennessee students can apply for the program, which provides a $7,295 scholarship to attend a private school that will best fit a child’s needs. Families are encouraged to apply early […]
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – State Rep. Mike Sparks, R-Smyrna, is encouraging interested families in Rutherford County to apply for Education Freedom Scholarships beginning May 15.
All Tennessee students can apply for the program, which provides a $7,295 scholarship to attend a private school that will best fit a child’s needs. Families are encouraged to apply early and have all necessary documents and information readily available.
“Rutherford County has excellent public education, but every child has unique needs and talents that might thrive in different settings,” Sparks said. “Families in Tennessee now have more options to ensure every student can succeed regardless of their circumstances. Education Freedom Scholarships will empower children and parents, and I encourage all interested families in Rutherford County to apply.”
The Tennessee Department of Education (DOE) will administer 20,000 scholarships in the 2025-26 academic year. Half of these will be reserved for eligible students based on income (qualified scholarships); the other half will be available for any interested student across the state (universal scholarships).
To be considered for a qualified scholarship, applicants have to demonstrate income eligibility through a 2024 Form 1040 U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, proof of eligibility for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, or proof of eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Students can also be considered if they are eligible for the Individualized Education Account Program or the Education Savings Account Program.
All students must be five years old by Sept. 30, 2025, have spent no more than 13 years in school, and be entering grades K-12 to be eligible. They must also be residents of Tennessee and lawfully present in the United States. The application portal opens at 12:00 p.m. CT on May 15.
Two documents will be required to prove Tennessee residency. Additionally, one document will be required for proof of United States citizenship, or, if applicable, two documents will be required for proof of lawful presence in the U.S.
Scholarships will be awarded in the order the DOE receives completed applications. For a complete list of eligibility requirements, acceptable forms, and a student application checklist, please visit this link.
The General Assembly passed the Education Freedom Act during January’s special session, establishing statewide school choice and making historic investments in public education. The scholarship program will grow with demand, with 5,000 universal scholarships added for each subsequent year after applications exceed 75% of total scholarships.
More than 200 private schools across Tennessee have announced their intent to participate in the EFS program for the 2025-26 school year, including eight in Rutherford County.
Please visit the DOE’s website for an updated list of participating schools.
Tennessee Republicans have invested 4.4 billion new dollars in public education over the last decade and provided more than $1 billion in teacher pay raises during the same time. The balanced $59.8 billion budget lawmakers approved in April included $244 million to strengthen education through the Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement (TISA) formula growth, including teacher pay raises, and $198.4 million for teacher bonuses.
State Rep. Mike Sparks of Smyrna represents District 49 in the Tennessee House of Representatives. He is vice chair of the Private Acts Committee and also serves on the Finance, Ways and Means Committee, Insurance Committee, Appropriations and Oversight Subcommittee and TennCare Subcommittee.