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More Than 42,000 Apply for Tennessee’s 20,000 Education Freedom Scholarships

Issue #579

October 09, 2025

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

⛅️ Columbia’s Friday Weather - Partly cloudy w/ high of 76, low of 48

📰 More Than 42,000 Apply for Tennessee’s 20,000 Education Freedom Scholarships

📰 Duck River Electric Gives Over $50K to Help Families and Communities in Need

🗓 List of Upcoming Events
 
🎵 This Week’s Live Music

🗓 Know of Some Local Events Not Listed? Send us the Details!

More Than 42,000 Apply for Tennessee’s 20,000 Education Freedom Scholarships

Gov. Bill Lee plans to seek additional funding in next year’s budget proposal to expand Tennessee’s $144 million private school choice program, which currently provides 20,000 taxpayer-funded scholarships.

The statewide Education Freedom Scholarship program, launched earlier this year, offers grants of $7,295 per student regardless of school enrollment history or zip code. Half of the scholarships are reserved for income-limited families, while the remaining half are open to all Tennessee residents who meet citizenship requirements.

More than 42,000 families applied for the 20,000 available scholarships, highlighting strong demand. According to newly released data from the Tennessee Department of Education, over half of the scholarships—10,802—were awarded to students in the state’s four largest counties: Shelby, Davidson, Knox, and Hamilton. In total, 82% went to students in metropolitan and suburban areas including Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Clarksville, Murfreesboro, Franklin, and Jackson.

The majority of participating schools are religious institutions. The income cap for qualifying families this year was $173,000 for a family of four. By law, half of the scholarships are available without an income limit, meaning high-earning families also qualify.

This summer, more than 11,100 income-limited applicants were turned away due to a lack of available funding. Gov. Lee has indicated he will push for additional scholarships to meet the growing demand in the upcoming legislative session.

Duck River Electric Gives Over $50K to Help Families and Communities in Need

Duck River Electric Membership Corporation (DREMC) has donated a total of $52,200 to 13 nonprofit organizations serving communities across its service area. This impactful contribution includes $35,200 raised during DREMC’s inaugural Commitment to Community Charity Golf Tournament and $17,000 in matching funds from TVA’s Community Care Fund.

The funds support a wide range of vital services, including:

• Emergency electric bill assistance through Project HELP.
• Support for individuals battling cancer.
• Services for children and teens facing abuse or hardship.
• Programs for children and adults with developmental disabilities.
• Educational initiatives across the region.

DREMC President and CEO James Wright says, “Generosity isn’t just an act of kindness — it’s a way of life that binds people together. Serving others is at the center of what we do every day.”

Among the recipients are several organizations that administer DREMC’s Project HELP program, which exists entirely through donations from DREMC members, employees, and community partners. The program offers emergency electric bill assistance to Duck River Electric members, making a difference for our neighbors facing financial hardship. 

DREMC’s commitment reflects the cooperative principle, Concern for Community, reinforcing its role in building stronger, more resilient neighborhoods.

Upcoming Local Events

🗓 Have an event to add? Send us the Details!

Friday, October 10th

Saturday, October 11th

Sunday, October 12th

👇 Click the Links to Learn About our Local Business Sponsors! 👇

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Thursday, October 9

Todd Ciprian – Tito’s Spring Hill, 6–9 PM
The Grove Trio – Whiskey Alley Saloon, 7:30–9 PM

Friday, October 10

TBA – The Spot: Burgers & Beers, 5–8 PM
Kamber – Buck & Board, 6–9 PM
The Nature Project – McCreary’s, 7–9 PM
Rory Feek – Homestead Hall, 7 PM
Taylor Hughes – Puckett’s, 7:30–9 PM
Christian Chapman – Whiskey Alley Saloon, 7:30–9 PM
Escape – Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 8–11 PM

Saturday, October 11

The Grasskickers – Keg Springs Winery, 2–5 PM
Box of Rox – Amber Falls Winery & Cellars, 3–7 PM
TBA – Buck & Board, 5–8 PM
The Def Leprechaun Band – McCreary’s, 7–9 PM
Karli & James – Puckett’s, 7:30–9 PM
Mainstreet Vinyl – The Rebel Bar & Grill, 7:30 PM
Fall Series – The Bourbon Gospel, 7:30 PM
No Fun Intended – Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 8–11 PM

Sunday, October 12

The Sins – Amber Falls Winery & Cellars, 1–5 PM

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