+ April 1, 2025
GPS TO ACCEPT EDUCATIONAL FREEDOM SCHOLARSHIPS
Dear families,
Dear families,
We write to update you about the Educational Freedom Act (EFA) in Tennessee, which will benefit our current and future families. The GPS Board of Trustees has approved the acceptance of Educational Freedom Scholarships (EFS) for the 2025-26 school year to help support the investment in your daughters’ education. More information about the Educational Freedom Scholarships can be found here.
As outlined in the bill, private schools accepting these scholarships are not required to change their creed, practices, admission policies, hiring policies, or curriculum—aligning with our status as an independent school. Should the state change its stance and infringe upon this independence, we reserve the right to modify our position. But as advocates for all our students and their families, we feel it is incumbent upon us to help you access the $7,295 value and take full advantage of the credit.
All families (regardless of income level) will be eligible to apply, and a limited number of scholarships will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis following the application deadline. It is imperative that you stay informed and monitor the process, and we are here to assist. While the state has not communicated the application date (only saying it will open in late spring), GPS will carefully monitor this process and encourages all GPS families to apply.
Please review some of the details below, then plan to join us for a webinar next Wednesday, April 9, at 6:30 p.m., as we share more information about the Educational Freedom Scholarships with our community.
Here’s to the girls and the women they become,
Megan D. Cover
Head of School
Amy Arrowsmith
Chair, Board of Trustees
EFS Fast Facts:
- EFS are funded by the state of Tennessee, not by the federal government.
- EFS are available to Tennessee residents only; GPS cannot accept Georgia vouchers, and Georgia residents cannot apply for Tennessee EFS.
- The EFS application will open late spring with no definitive date yet announced.
- There is one application per student, not per family, so if you are applying for more than one child, you will need to submit multiple applications.
- Funding for submitted applications is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
- EFS will be awarded in the order in which the department receives COMPLETED scholarship applications.
- Those who apply and receive EFS for the 2025-26 school year will be given preference for future EFS applications by the state of Tennessee.
- Should the state change the rules or the spirit of the rules that were approved on March 20, 2025, GPS reserves the right to decline these scholarships.
- There will be 20,000 total vouchers awarded the first year, with an additional 5,000 awarded each year thereafter.
- Half of the scholarships in year one will be available for students at or below 300% of income qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch ($173,160 for a family of four), have a disability, or are eligible for the existing Tennessee Education Savings Account (ESA) program.
- The remaining 10,000 scholarships will be available to a universal pool of students.
- In year two, the vouchers will be prioritized as follows:
- Students who already hold a voucher;
- Students with lower income threshold (1x income limit for free/reduced lunch; $57,720 for family of 4);
- Students with higher income threshold (3x poverty level; $173,160 for family of 4);
- Currently enrolled students in a public school but moving to private school; and
- All other groups.
