Last verified: October 2026
| Program | 2026-27 amount | Who it is for | What it isn't |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education Freedom Scholarship | $7,530 | Eligible Tennessee K-12 students, by priority tier | Usable at Category IV/V schools |
| Individualized Education Account | TISA base + average special-ed funding | Students with a qualifying Tennessee IEP | A single published figure |
| Dual Enrollment Grant | Up to $620.55 per course (courses 1-5) | Juniors and seniors in dual enrollment | Unlimited: 10 courses at most |
| Education Savings Account | Not available here | Students zoned to Memphis-Shelby, Metro Nashville or Hamilton County schools | Open to Knoxville-area students |
How much do EFS and the IEA pay a Knoxville student for 2026-27?
The Education Freedom Scholarship pays $7,530 per student for 2026-27 at every grade. The IEA pays the TISA base plus average special-education funding for the district where the student's enrollment is reported, so it varies by student and TDOE does not publish one figure.
A student who held an IEA in 2024-25 cannot receive less than that year's amount, and the Dual Enrollment Grant adds up to $620.55 per course for a junior or senior's first five college courses.
Why don't Knoxville families see the $10,132.54 ESA figure?
That figure belongs to the Education Savings Account, which TDOE lists for students zoned to Memphis-Shelby County Schools; the ESA serves only that district, Metro Nashville, Hamilton County and former Achievement School District schools.
No ESA amount applies to Knox, Blount, Anderson or Sevier County students.
Does the EFS amount change with a student's grade?
No. EFS pays the same $7,530 in kindergarten and in 12th grade for 2026-27, so it covers a much larger share at a parish K-8 than at a college-prep high school.
Because it tracks the TISA base, the amount can change each year with the state budget.