Finding the perfect educational environment for your child can feel like an uphill battle. You worry about class sizes, curriculum quality, and whether your child’s unique needs are being met. The financial burden of private school tuition or specialized services often adds another layer of stress, making the best options feel out of reach. This leaves many Texas families feeling stuck, wishing for more control over their children’s educational journey.
But what if you could unlock the funds to choose the perfect school, tutoring, or therapy for your child?
A New Era of Educational Choice in Texas
The State of Texas has introduced a groundbreaking solution: the Texas School Voucher, also known as the Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) Program, as designated by the Texas Comptroller. This new Education Savings Account (ESA) is a state program that provides parent-directed funds for approved education expenses, beginning with the 2026-2027 school year. With an initial $1 billion appropriation for its first two years, the TEFA program demonstrates a strong commitment to supporting Texas families and providing transformative educational opportunities for thousands of children.
This isn’t just about financial aid; it’s about freedom. The program is built on the belief that parents, not the government, are best positioned to make educational decisions for their children. It’s backed by the Governor and the state legislature, and is designed with strong protections for religious liberty and private school autonomy. Participating schools are not considered state actors, meaning they do not have to change their mission, curriculum, or admissions policies.
Sign up on the Comptroller’s website for official updates!
How the Texas School Voucher (TEFA) Program Works
The Texas Comptroller’s office oversees the TEFA program. The state has selected Odyssey as the program administrator to operate the user-friendly parent portal, provider directory, payments, and reporting. Families will use the Odyssey platform, either on a computer or a phone app, to manage their funds and direct payments to approved schools and service providers.
Funding: What to Expect
The amount a student receives depends on their needs:
- Base Amount: Most eligible students will receive an account funded with approximately $10,000 to $12,000 for the first year. This amount is based on 85% of the state’s average per-student spending and will be certified each January.
- Students with Disabilities: Students with a qualifying Individualized Education Program (IEP) on file may receive up to $30,000 to cover therapies and specialized services.
- Homeschool Families: Homeschooling families are eligible for a $2,000 account.
A significant benefit is that any unused funds can be rolled over from year to year, as this is a savings account model.
The Application and Prioritization Process
The program has universal eligibility, meaning any U.S. citizen or legal resident child who is eligible to attend a Texas public school can apply. Because demand is expected to be high, the state will use a lottery system within four prioritization categories to award the accounts.
- Category 1: Students with a qualifying disability whose families earn up to 500% of the federal poverty level (FPL).
- Category 2: Students from families with incomes below 200% FPL.
- Category 3: Students from families with incomes between 200% and 500% FPL.
- Category 4: All other eligible students. No more than 20% of the total program funds can go to this category.
A key feature is the sibling priority. If one child in a family is awarded a TEFA, their siblings who also applied will be moved to the front of the line.
Timeline
- Fall 2025: Private schools and educational service providers can begin applying to participate.
- Early 2026: The application window for students and families is expected to open.
- July 1, 2026: The first payments will be distributed to awarded families.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are answers to common questions about the Texas Education Freedom Accounts, based on information from the Texas Comptroller and the recent informational conference.
Basics and Eligibility
Q: Who can apply for a TEFA?
Children who are United States citizens or legal residents and are eligible to attend a Texas district, charter, or Pre-K program can apply. The parent or guardian applicant must be a Texas resident.
Q: How will immigration status affect eligibility?
The child must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident. For mixed-status families where a parent is undocumented, applying may not be prudent. The application will likely require a parent’s Social Security number, and some concerns receiving an ESA could be viewed as a “public charge,” potentially impacting a future citizenship application. These families are encouraged to seek private scholarships instead.
Q: Is Pre-K covered?
Yes, but only for children who are eligible for free public Pre-K in Texas. This includes children from military families, English language learners, and those from low-income households, among other state criteria.
Funding and Expenses
Q: What specific education expenses are eligible?
Eligible expenses include private school tuition, tutoring, uniforms, school-provided meals, online education programs, therapies for students with disabilities, textbooks, and other curriculum. The official list will be available in the Odyssey portal.
Q: Is there a cap on computer purchases?
Yes. Families can spend up to 10% of their annual award on computer hardware in a given year.
Q: When are payments made to families/schools?
Payments are scheduled in three installments: 25% of the annual award on July 1, another 25% on October 1, and the remaining 50% paid by April 1 of the following year.
The Application and Lottery Process
Q: Do we have to reapply every year?
No. Once your child is in the program, they remain in it as long as they are in good standing. You will just need to confirm each year that you wish to continue participating.
Q: How does the sibling priority work in the lottery?
Suppose you have multiple children and one is selected in the lottery (for instance, a child with a disability). In that case, all other siblings with an application on file are moved to the front of the line and awarded next, before another lottery number is drawn. In future years, new siblings of a child already in the program will have top priority over any other category.
Q: Which tax year will be used to verify income?
For the application window opening in early 2026, the program will likely look at your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) from your 2024 tax return. Final rules will provide more clarity on this.
Q: How do divorce cases work for income verification?
If both parents can legally claim the child on their tax returns, both incomes will likely be considered. If only one parent claims the child, only that parent’s tax return would be evaluated.
For Schools and Providers
Q: What are the main requirements for a private school to participate?
A school must be accredited by a TEPSAC-recognized body, have been in continuous operation for at least two school years, and administer a nationally recognized norm-referenced test to participating students in grades 3-12.
Q: What if our school campus is new? Can we still meet the two-year operation rule?
Possibly. If your new campus is affiliated with a larger system (like a diocese or school network) that has a long history of operation, that can satisfy the requirement. More details are expected in the final rules.
Q: Do public school districts still have to provide services (like speech therapy) to TEFA students?
Yes. Federally required services, such as those under the “Child Find” mandate, must still be provided by the local public school district regardless of whether the student receives TEFA funds.
For Schools: Is Your Campus Ready to Reach TEFA Families?
The Texas Education Freedom Account program represents a monumental opportunity to grow your enrollment and serve more families in your community. But reaching the right parents, especially those in priority categories, requires an innovative, targeted strategy. Generic marketing won’t be enough.
This is where Ari Media Group comes in. We specialize in developing customized Marketing Roadmaps for schools just like yours. We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. Instead, we help you:
- Craft Your Messaging: We’ll help you develop clear, compelling communication that speaks directly to the needs and concerns of families eligible for TEFA.
- Launch Targeted Ad Campaigns: Move beyond flyers and general ads. We’ll build data-driven digital campaigns to reach families in specific income brackets and with interests in special needs resources right in your area.
- Equip Your Website: Your website is your digital front door. We’ll equip it with the tools needed to engage prospective parents, answer their TEFA questions, and track every single inquiry from your marketing efforts.
- Centralize Your Data: Stop guessing what works. Our exclusive marketing software centralizes all your data, giving you a clear view of your return on investment and helping you make smarter decisions.
The TEFA landscape will be competitive. Let’s work together to build a plan that ensures your school stands out and connects with the families who need you most.
Talk with our live agents now or visit our instant quote page for ballpark pricing.
Sources:
This article is based on insights gathered during the Texas Private Schools Association Conference, held on October 22, 2025.
The discussion included remarks and Q&A contributions from:
- Laura Colangelo, Executive Director of the Texas Private Schools Association (TPSA)
- Jennifer Carr Allmon, Executive Director of the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops (TCCB)
The session was recorded and transcribed using Fireflies.ai, an AI meeting assistant, for accuracy and documentation.
Disclaimer: The content of this article was derived from an AI-generated transcription of the Texas Private Schools Association Conference discussion. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, minor discrepancies may exist due to transcription errors or interpretation of live dialogue. Readers are encouraged to verify official statements or policy details directly through TPSA or the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops.
