Tennessee Education Savings Account Program (ESA)
At Miacademy, we’ve been hard at work partnering with various state funding agencies across the country. Our goal is to make a quality education accessible for every student, and we’re accomplishing our goal one state at a time.
If you’re homeschooling in Tennessee, we have some exciting news to share!
As of April 2024, Miacademy is now a participating school for the Education Savings Account in Tennessee!
You can now access Miacademy’s accredited online homeschool curriculum with funding allocated by the Tennessee Department of Education.
What is the ESA in Tennessee?
The Tennessee ESA helps students in certain counties pay for tuition at Category I-III schools and select participating nonpublic schools. This opportunity allows students to receive a high-quality educational experience that may not be possible otherwise.
The program currently serves 5,000 students, who received a maximum of $8,192 during the 2022-23 school year. The Department of Education will announce the amount for the 2024-25 school year in June 2024.
Students may use their funding to cover tuition, textbooks, uniforms, tutors, and other pre-approved expenses.
Who Qualifies for the ESA in TN?
To qualify, the student must be in grades K-12 and younger than 22. If your student reaches their 22nd birthday during the school year, they may finish that year but may not re-enroll.
In addition, the student must meet all of the following:
1. Must be a Tennessee resident.
2. Must live in the boundaries of one of the following school districts:
- Achievement School District
- Hamilton County Schools
- Memphis-Shelby County Schools
- Metro Nashville Public Schools
3. Annual household income must not exceed twice the free lunch qualifying amount set by the federal government.
4. Must meet at least ONE of the following:
- Attended a Tennessee public school for the entire school year right before the current one
- Is eligible to enroll in a Tennessee school for the first time
- Received an education savings account last school year
- Attended a Tennessee public school for the full 2019-20, 2020-21, or 2021-22 school year
- Is eligible to enroll in a Tennessee public school for the first time in the 2019-20, 2020-21, or 2021-22 school year
To apply for the Tennessee ESA program for the 2024-25 school year, you must submit your application by May 1, 2024 for priority enrollment and by August 1, 2024 for non-priority enrollment.
Winter enrollment applications open on August 2, 2024 and close on January 2, 2025.
How Do I Get Miacademy with the TN ESA?
To get Miacademy with your Tennessee ESA funding, all you need to do is purchase our curriculum through the E-Wallet Online Portal.
If you wish to purchase additional items, such as computer hardware, tutoring services, educational therapy, summer education, or after-school programs, you’ll need pre-approval to do so.
Your ESA funds may not be used for:
- Late fees or missed appointment charges
- Food
- Before- or after-school care
- Summer camp (however, academic summer programs are allowed)
- Extracurricular or athletic activity fees
- Consumable supplies or materials
- Field trips
- Personal transportation
- Internet services or any type of software (unless part of an approved bundle)
For a full list of allowed and disallowed expenses, be sure to read the Tennessee ESA Parent Handbook.
FAQ
Who is eligible for the ESA in Tennessee?
K-12 students who reside in select Tennessee school district zones are eligible for the ESA, provided that they meet all additional criteria.
How much does the Tennessee ESA pay?
During the 2022-23 school year, students received a maximum benefit of $8,192. The amount for the 2024-25 school year will be announced in June.
Information accurate as of: 05/28/2024. The information provided on this site is intended for research purposes only. Miaplaza is not responsible for any errors, omissions, or outdated information, or for the results yielded through use of this information.