Knoxville TN, October 5, 2025
News Summary
In 2023, Knoxville students have been awarded the highest number of state-funded school vouchers in Tennessee, receiving 2,557 out of 20,000 scholarships. The Education Freedom Scholarship program, initiated this school year, provides approximately $7,295 per student. With a significant number of applications filed statewide, Knoxville’s scholarships reflect a growing trend in educational funding and choices for families. The program aligns with Governor Bill Lee’s Education Freedom Act and aims to enhance school choice across the state.
Knoxville students have emerged as the leading recipients of state-funded school vouchers in Tennessee for the year 2023, receiving 2,557 of the 20,000 scholarships distributed statewide. This data was reported by the Tennessee Department of Education, which indicated that no other city received a higher number of vouchers than Knoxville.
As part of the Education Freedom Scholarship program, which started this school year, each of these vouchers offers approximately $7,295 per student. The program divides the vouchers into two distinct categories: half are available universally to all students while the other half is income-qualified, designed to assist families with lower income levels.
On October 2nd, the state fulfilled a data request, showing that as of September 22, a total of 42,827 applications were filed statewide, divided equally between the income-qualified and universal categories. Following Knoxville was Memphis, which received 1,888 vouchers, and Nashville with 1,267.
Applications Overview
Knoxville ranked second in total applications with 4,567, slightly behind Memphis, which recorded 4,580 applications. The demographic data revealed that most applicants identified as White, comprising approximately 68% of the total. Other racial demographics included 10% Black or African American, 8% multi-racial, and 4% Hispanic or Latino. Only 2% identified as Asian, with less than 1% coming from Middle Eastern/North African, American Indian/Alaska Native, or Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander backgrounds. An additional 7% chose not to disclose their race or ethnicity.
Out of the total scholarships awarded, about 14,970 went to White students, making up about 75% of the total, while around 7% were multi-racial students. Approximately 1,000 scholarships were awarded to Black students, and 580 to Hispanic students. A smaller number of scholarships were allocated to Asian, Middle Eastern/North African, American Indian/Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander students, with 1,300 recipients, or about 7%, not reporting their race or ethnicity.
Impact and Future Developments
Scholarships have also been awarded in several East Tennessee cities, including Maryville with 168, Morristown with 150, Oak Ridge with 79, Clinton with 73, and Lenoir City with 69. The total program signifies a substantial investment of $447 million and aligns with the goals of Governor Bill Lee’s Education Freedom Act, which aims to broaden school choice for families statewide.
In addition to the scholarship initiative, upcoming legislation will necessitate local school boards to adopt resolutions that provide teachers with a one-time $2,000 bonus. Moreover, private schools accepting vouchers will be required to conduct state-standardized tests, which has raised concerns regarding potential reductions in public school funding as adjustments to state funding formulas are anticipated.
Key Statistics
- Total state-funded school vouchers awarded: 20,000
- Vouchers awarded to Knoxville: 2,557
- Memphis: 1,888 vouchers
- Nashville: 1,267 vouchers
- Total applications filed: 42,827
- Investment via the Freedom Scholarship Program: $447 million
FAQ
How many state-funded school vouchers were awarded in Knoxville for 2023?
Knoxville students received 2,557 out of 20,000 state-funded school vouchers awarded statewide this year.
What is the amount provided per student through the Education Freedom Scholarship program?
The program provides $7,295 per student.
What was the total number of applications received statewide for school vouchers?
A total of 42,827 applications were received statewide.
How did Knoxville rank compared to other cities in terms of scholarship awards?
Knoxville received more vouchers than any other city, followed by Memphis with 1,888 scholarships and Nashville with 1,267.
What demographic trends were observed among the applicants?
Most applicants identified as White (approximately 68%); 10% identified as Black or African American, 8% as multi-racial, and 4% as Hispanic or Latino.
Key Features Overview
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Scholarships Awarded | 20,000 |
| Knoxville Scholarships | 2,557 |
| Memphis Scholarships | 1,888 |
| Nashville Scholarships | 1,267 |
| Total Applications Received | 42,827 |
| Investment in Program | $447 million |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Knox County Schools Announce Significant Layoffs
Tennessee Launches $447 Million School Voucher Program
Bill Haslam Appointed to University of Tennessee Board of Trustees
Tennessee Launches Education Freedom Scholarship Program
Knox County Schools Link Teacher Bonuses to Voucher Program
Knoxville Schools Embrace Universal Voucher Program
New School Voucher Program Launching in Knoxville
Knoxville School Board Censorship Proposal Sparks Controversy
Join the Knoxville Community Forum on March 11!
Rethinking Higher Education in Tennessee: Tuition Costs Debate
Additional Resources
- WBIR: Knoxville Families Receive Most School Vouchers
- Wikipedia: School Voucher
- WATE: How to Apply for TN’s New School Vouchers Program
- Google Search: Tennessee school vouchers
- Knox News: What We Know About Tennessee’s School Vouchers
- Google Scholar: Tennessee school vouchers
- WBIR: Taxpayers Await Answers on School Vouchers
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Education Vouchers
Author: STAFF HERE KNOXVILLE WRITER
The KNOXVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREKnoxville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Knoxville, Knox County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Dogwood Arts Festival, Big Ears Festival, and Knoxville Asian Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Knoxville Area Chamber Partnership and United Way of Greater Knoxville, plus leading businesses in healthcare, education, and energy that power the local economy such as Covenant Health, University of Tennessee, and Tennessee Valley Authority. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREChattanooga.com, HEREMemphis.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
