TEFA Applications Are Now Open
Texas families now have an exciting new opportunity to expand educational options for their children. The Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) application window is officially open, giving eligible students access to state-funded accounts to help pay for private school tuition, homeschooling, tutoring, therapies, and other approved educational expenses.
Families can apply now through March 17, 2026 at:
https://educationfreedom.texas.gov/
TEFA is not awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. All applications submitted during the window (February 4 – March 17) will be considered equally and processed according to the state’s priority guidelines. This means families can take time to apply carefully without worrying about losing their place.
Who Is Eligible to Apply?
Most Texas families with K–12 students may apply. A child may be eligible if they:
- Are a Texas resident
- Are a U.S. citizen or lawful resident
- Are enrolled in or plan to enroll in:
- A participating private school
- An approved Pre-K or Kindergarten program
- Homeschooling
- Other approved educational programs or services
Students currently in public school, private school, or homeschool are all eligible to apply.
Families should be prepared to provide student, parent/guardian, residency, and income information for eligibility and prioritization purposes. Additional documentation may be requested during the review process, including income verification and disability documentation if applicable.
TEFA Award Amounts (2026–2027 School Year)
Award amounts vary based on the student’s educational setting:
- Private School / Pre-K / Kindergarten Students:
Up to $10,474 per year - Students with Disabilities (with an IEP on file):
Up to $30,000 per year, based on services required - Homeschooled or Other Eligible Students:
Up to $2,000 per year
Funds can be used for approved expenses such as tuition, tutoring, educational therapies, curriculum, technology, transportation, testing, and more.
TEFA Priority Guidelines (If Applications Exceed Funding)
If more families apply than funding allows, TEFA will use the following priority order for Year 1 (2026–2027):
Priority Groups
- Children with disabilities from households at or below 500% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL)
- Children from households at or below 200% of FPL
- Children from households between 200% and 500% of FPL
- Children from households above 500% of FPL
- Students who attended a Texas public or charter school for at least 90% of the prior year are prioritized within this group
- This group is limited to 20% of total program funding
If needed, a lottery will be used within each priority group.
Key Dates to Remember
- Application Window: February 4 – March 17, 2026
- Funding Notifications: Beginning in early April 2026
- Initial Funds Available: July 1, 2026
Why Families Should Apply
Even if you are unsure whether you will qualify for priority funding, all eligible families are encouraged to apply. Higher-income families may still be approved, and once accepted, families remain in the program in future years without needing to fully reapply.
This program gives families more flexibility and choice in how and where their children learn — and this first year is an important opportunity to be part of it.
