TEXAS EDUCATION FREEDOM ACCOUNTS PROGRAM OPENS APPLICATIONS
Applications are now open for the Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) program, also known as school vouchers.
The Texas Legislature last year approved $1 billion for the start of the TEFA program in the 2026-27 school year. Through the program, administered by the Texas Comptroller, families can apply to receive over $10,400 per child to use for private school, or up to $30,000 for students with special needs. Homeschooled students can receive up to $2,000.
The application portal opened today (Wednesday) and is available until March 17th at https://educationfreedom.texas.gov.
Children qualify if they live in Texas, are U.S. citizens or otherwise legally in the United States, and are eligible to enroll in a Texas public school or open-enrollment charter school.
If the number of applicants exceeds what has been allocated for the program, the state will prioritize applicants based on the income level of the household and whether students have a disability.
The application process is not first-come, first-served. Eligible children are not guaranteed funding.
Families will be notified of whether they receive funding beginning in early April. Parents of private school students will then indicate where their student is enrolled, and their private school will confirm enrollment. Initial funding will begin rolling out in July.
Participants in good standing will stay in the program automatically and will not need to reapply annually.