Tennessee Individualized Education Account: parent guide
Tennessee IEA supports eligible students with qualifying disabilities in approved nonpublic or home education arrangements. Prepare the special-education evidence and review the participation agreement before changing enrollment.
By ParentSurf / Sources reviewed
About this guide
An independent guide to Individualized Education Account (IEA) Program, not an official application or an eligibility decision. Rules, application windows and available funds can change. Confirm your circumstances with the program before changing enrollment or committing money.
Before you start
Check the disability and enrollment pathways
Review the active Tennessee IEP and qualifying-disability requirements, including the listed early-intervention pathway where applicable. Prior public-school attendance rules have exceptions for first-time kindergarten and students new to Tennessee.
Your next steps
Check the current contract-year calendar
The official site says 2026-27 student applications are closed. Follow the IEA student application and renewal page for future dates; the separate year-round school application does not reopen student applications.
Prepare the requested student records
Gather the special-education and enrollment evidence specified by the current application. Complete the appropriate new or renewal process in the IEA portal and monitor requests for additional documents.
Review account-holder responsibilities
Before accepting participation, read the current handbook's education, expense and reporting requirements. Participating students cannot remain enrolled in public school, so confirm the transition instructions with the IEA team.
Preparation checklist
Use this to get organized. The current official application or handbook controls the full requirements.
- Current qualifying IEP or permitted early-intervention evidence
- Residency and prior-enrollment or exception documentation
- Contract-year application and account-holder responsibilities
Submit identity, financial, student and medical records only through the verified official process. Do not upload application documents to ParentSurf or include them in a public review.
Important distinctions
- An IEA application is not the same as an ESA or EFS application.
- Do not withdraw from school solely because you have submitted an application.
Official resources & further reading
State agencies and their program administrators are the source of application requirements. Older editions are labeled; check the program site for newer guidance.
- Tennessee Individualized Education Account
Tennessee Department of Education
- IEA student application and renewal
Tennessee Department of Education
- IEA handbooks
Tennessee Department of Education
- IEA participating nonpublic schools
Tennessee Department of Education