The year 2025 has been another landmark year for the Education Savings Account (ESA) movement, with several states enacting new programs or significantly expanding existing ones. The dominant trend continues to be the push toward universal eligibility, making these educational options available to all students.
Tennessee: Education Freedom Act
Governor Bill Lee signed the "Education Freedom Act," establishing a new universal ESA program set to provide around $7,000 per student. The program was met with overwhelming demand, receiving over 42,000 applications for its initial 20,000 slots.
Read the full Tennessee Guide →Wyoming: Steamboat Legacy Scholarship Act
The legislature radically expanded its new ESA program to be universal for all K-12 students with a $7,000 award. However, the program was halted by a court injunction before it could launch and its future remains uncertain.
Read the full Wyoming Guide →New Hampshire: SB 295
Governor Kelly Ayotte signed SB 295, which eliminated the income cap on the state's Education Freedom Account (EFA) program, transforming it from a targeted, means-tested program into a universal one. Demand immediately surged, hitting the 10,000-student cap within a month.
Read the full New Hampshire Guide →Texas: Senate Bill 2 (TEFA)
After decades of failed attempts, the Texas Legislature passed a universal ESA program, the Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA). Set to launch in 2026, it is projected to be one of the largest programs in the nation, with an initial $1 billion budget.
Read the full Texas Guide →Louisiana: LA GATOR Scholarship Program
Lawmakers established a new, universal-by-design ESA program intended to replace the state's older voucher system. However, a severe funding shortfall in its first year has created a massive gap between demand and available scholarships.
Read the full Louisiana Guide →