Applications open soon!

Beginning February 4, 2026, parents can submit applications for the Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) program. Education freedom accounts are designed to open doors, expand opportunities, and give each Texas child the chance to learn in the environment that fits them best.

First awards will be available to participating children for the 2026-27 school year.

Sign Up for Family Updates Download the Parent Prep Checklist

Applications Open Soon!

Beginning February 4, 2026, parents can submit applications for the Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) program. Education freedom accounts are designed to open doors, expand opportunities, and give each Texas child the chance to learn in the environment that fits them best.

First awards will be available to participating children for the 2026-27 school year.

Sign Up for Family Updates Download the Parent Prep Checklist

Find TEFA Schools Near You

Our school finder tool lets families quickly locate TEFA schools in their area. Open the interactive map to start your search. New schools are added regularly!

Browse Schools
Women speaking to child with hearing aid

Introducing Texas Education Freedom Accounts

In 2025, the Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 2 and provided $1 billion in funding to create the Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) program and give parents greater freedom and flexibility in choosing the best educational environment for their children.

The TEFA program, administered by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, is expected to be the largest day-one school choice initiative in the nation. Through this program, parents who choose to enroll their children outside of the public school system – including a private school or homeschool – and are accepted into the program can use their child’s TEFA funds to pay for approved education-related expenses through the program marketplace.

Helpful Resources

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Funding

The award amounts for the 2026-27 school year will depend on the individual circumstances outlined below. The amount available to a participating child depends on the educational setting they choose.

Children sitting

Private School Students

A participating child who attends an approved private school or a pre-K or kindergarten program will receive 85% of the estimated statewide average amount of state and local funding per student in average daily attendance for the most recent school year, as calculated by the Texas Education Agency (TEA).

TEA has set this amount at $10,474 for the 2026-27 school year. 

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Private School Students with a Disability

A participating child with a disability who is enrolled in an approved private school or in a pre-K or kindergarten program may be eligible to receive up to $30,000. To qualify, the child must have an individualized education program (IEP) that is on file with the Texas Education Agency by the end of the application period. 

The award amount is based on the funding that the child’s local school district would receive to provide services under the child’s IEP. 

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All Other Participating Students

A participating child who is homeschooled or is not enrolled in a private school or a pre-K or kindergarten program may be eligible to receive $2,000 annually.

Prioritization

If eligible applicants exceed available program funding, applicants will be prioritized as follows:

Year 1

For the 2026-27 school year, applicants will be prioritized as follows:

  1. Children with a disability who are members of a household whose total annual income is at or below 500% of the Federal Poverty Level1.
  2. Children who are members of a household whose total annual income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. 
  3. Children who are members of a household whose total annual income is between 200% and 500% of the Federal Poverty Level. 
  4. Children who are members of a household whose total annual income is at or above 500% of the Federal Poverty Level. Children who were enrolled in a Texas public school or charter school for at least 90% of the prior school year will be prioritized within this group. Funds for children in this category may not exceed 20 percent of the amount of money appropriated from the program fund for that school year.

Year 2

After year 1, applicants will first be prioritized in the following order, and then will be prioritized within each group in the order stated in the year 1 prioritization:

  1. Siblings of participating children.
  2. New eligible program applicants.
  3. Prior program participants who ceased program participation due to enrollment in a public or charter school.

More About Prioritization

If a child is accepted for participation during an application period, any eligible sibling of that child who applies during the same application period is also accepted for participation during that application period.

Participants who remain in good standing do not need to reapply each year.

1For purposes of prioritization, the term “children with a disability” includes both children with an IEP on file with the Texas Education Agency at the time the application process closes and children who have submitted a program-approved proof-of-disability form with their application. However, only those children with an IEP on file who are accepted into the program are eligible for the increased funding amount available to children with a disability.

Note: Federal Poverty Level guidelines are set annually by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Eligibility and Participation

To be eligible, the parent must provide proof that the child:

Is a citizen or national of the United States or lawfully admitted into the United States.

Is eligible to attend a public school or open-enrollment charter school or be eligible to enroll in a public or open-enrollment charter school’s pre-K or kindergarten program.

Resides in the state of Texas.

If accepted into the program, the child will remain eligible to participate until the child graduates from high school, is no longer eligible to attend a Texas public school, charter school, or pre-K or kindergarten program, enrolls in a Texas public or charter school, or moves out of the state of Texas. 

Pre-K Eligibility

A participating child between the ages of 3-5 is eligible for enrollment in a pre-k or kindergarten program under this section if the child is at least three years of age and:

  1. is unable to speak and comprehend the English language;
  2. is eligible to participate in the national free or reduced-price lunch program;
  3. is homeless, regardless of the residence of the child, of either parent of the child, or of the child’s guardian or other person having lawful control of the child;
  4. is the child of an active-duty member of the armed forces of the United States, including the state military forces or a reserve component of the armed forces, who is ordered to active duty by proper authority;
  5. is the child of a member of the armed forces of the United States, including the state military forces or a reserve component of the armed forces, who was injured or killed while serving on active duty;
  6. is, or ever has been, in:
    • the conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services following an adversary hearing held as provided by Section 262.201, Family Code; or
    • foster care in another state or territory, if the child resides in this state;
  7. is the child of a person eligible for the Star of Texas Award as:
    • a peace officer under Section 3106.002, Government Code;
    • a firefighter under Section 3106.003, Government Code; or
    • an emergency medical first responder under Section 3106.004, Government Code; or
  8. is the child of a person employed as a classroom teacher at a public primary or secondary school in the school district that offers a pre-k or kindergarten class under this section.

Private School Notice

A private school is not subject to federal and state laws regarding the provision of educational services to a child with a disability in the same manner as a school district or open-enrollment charter school.

Information regarding rights to which a child with a disability is entitled under federal and state law if the child attends a school district or open-enrollment charter school can be found at Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) | U.S. Department of Education, including rights provided under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. Section 1400 et seq.); and rights provided under Subchapter A of the Texas Education Code.


Note: All eligible children are not guaranteed funding; participation will be determined via a lottery process if eligible applicants exceed available program funding. 

Approved Expenses

Approved education-related expenses include:

Educational Services/Materials

  • Tuition and fees at a private school, higher education provider, online educational course or program, or program that provides training for an industry-based credential approved by the Texas Education Agency.  
  • Textbooks or other instructional materials.  
  • Required uniforms.
  • Fees for classes provided by school districts that do not qualify the child to be included in school’s average daily attendance.

Other Approved Expenses

  • Academic assessment costs.
  • Private tutoring.
  • Transportation to/from approved providers.
  • Educational therapies not covered by any federal, state, or local government benefits (i.e, Medicaid).  
  • Computer hardware or software (must not exceed 10 percent of the total amount transferred to the child’s account that year).  
  • Meals provided by private school.

Funds may not be used to pay a family member.

Funds remaining at the end of the school year will roll over as long as the child remains in the TEFA program.

Timeline

Parent Application

The application window opens on February 4, 2026 and closes on March 17, 2026.

Notification of Funding Status

Funding notifications will be sent to parents beginning in early April 2026.

Private School Confirmation

For private school students, parents will indicate the school where their student is enrolled. Private schools will confirm enrollment.

Initial Funding

July 1, 2026 – At least 25 percent of approved funding will be available in participant accounts.

Additional Funding

October 1, 2026 – At least 50 percent of approved funding will be available in participant accounts.

April 1, 2027 – Remaining funding will be available in participant accounts.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Texas Legislature created the education savings account program in 2025 to give families more choices in their children’s educations. The program was then officially named Texas Education Freedom Accounts. Starting in the 2026–27 school year, funds will be made available to eligible students accepted into the program that can be used for tuition, tutoring, home-school educational expenses, or other approved education expenses.

The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts will oversee the program to ensure funds are used properly. Odyssey was selected as the certified educational assistance organization (CEAO) that will help with administration of the program under the Comptroller’s oversight.

Children are eligible to participate if they are U.S. citizens or lawfully present in the United States and are eligible to attend a Texas school district or open-enrollment charter school or pre-K program, including children of a parent who is an active-duty member of the U.S. armed forces. The parent must be a Texas resident.

The amount depends on the child’s situation:
Private school students
State law sets the amount of the transfer at 85 percent of the statewide average amount of state and local funding per student in Texas public schools. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has determined the amount for the 2026-27 school year is $10,474 per child if the student attends an approved private school.

Students with disabilities who have an individualized education plan (IEP) on file with their school district
May receive more — up to $30,000 per year.

Homeschooled students
May receive up to $2,000 per year.

Not necessarily. If applications exceed available funding, a lottery will decide placement. State law sets this priority order:

Year 1

For the 2026-27 school year, applicants will be prioritized as follows:

  1. Children with a disability who are members of a household whose total annual income is at or below 500% of the Federal Poverty Level.*
  2. Children who are members of a household whose total annual income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level.
  3. Children who are members of a household whose total annual income is between 200% and 500% of the Federal Poverty Level.
  4. Children who are members of a household whose total annual income is at or above 500% of the Federal Poverty Level. Children who were enrolled in a Texas public school or charter school for at least 90% of the prior school year will be prioritized within this group. Funds for children in this category may not exceed 20 percent of the amount of money appropriated from the program fund for that school year.

*For purposes of prioritization, the term “children with a disability” includes both children with an IEP on file with the Texas Education Agency at the time the application process closes and children who have submitted a program-approved proof-of-disability form with their application. However, only those children with an IEP on file who are accepted into the program are eligible for the increased funding amount available to children with a disability.

Note: Note: Federal Poverty Level guidelines are set annually by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Year 2

After year 1, applicants will first be prioritized in the following order, and then will be prioritized within each group in the order stated in the year 1 prioritization:

  1. Siblings of participating children.
  2. New eligible program applicants.
  3. Prior program participants who ceased program participation due to enrollment in a public or charter school.

If a child is accepted for participation during an application period, any eligible sibling of that child who applies during the same application period is also accepted for participation during that application period.

The parent of the child can submit an application. Parent means a resident of this state who is a natural or adoptive parent, managing or possessory conservator, legal guardian, custodian, or other person with legal authority to act on behalf of a child.

No. Participants in good standing stay in the program automatically. Families only need to confirm they want to continue.

Yes, if the provider applies for approval and is accepted into the program.

Yes. Families may use funds for approved CTE programs.

The Comptroller is required to contract with a private entity to audit accounts and program eligibility at least annually to ensure compliance with applicable law. The State Auditor will also perform periodic audits to verify compliance with eligibility requirements and that funds are used for approved expenses.

The application period for private schools is expected to open on December 9, 2025. Private schools must be in Texas, accredited by an organization recognized by the Texas Private School Accreditation Commission or another accreditor recognized by the Texas Education Agency, and in continuous operation for at least two school years preceding the date of application. They also must annually administer a nationally norm-referenced assessment to participating students in grades 3-12. More information will be forthcoming soon.

The initial application period will open on February 4, 2026. Families may sign up for updates from the Comptroller’s office.

Schools

Approved private schools, including approved providers of pre-K and kindergarten programs, may begin applying to participate in the Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) program on December 9, 2025. After that date, applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. To participate in the TEFA program, private schools must be located in Texas and meet the following eligibility requirements:

  • Be an accredited school recognized by the Texas Private School Accreditation Commission (TEPSAC) or an accreditor recognized by the Texas Education Agency.
  • Be a proven operator that has successfully run a campus for at least two years.
  • Administer a nationally norm-referenced assessment.

A provider of a pre-K or kindergarten program must be located in Texas, licensed by, and be in good standing with, the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, and:

  • Be accredited by a research-based, nationally recognized, and universally accessible accreditation system approved by the Commissioner of Higher Education;
  • Be a Texas Rising Star Program provider with a three-star certification or higher;
  • Be a Texas School Ready! participant;
  • Have an existing partnership with a school district to provide a pre-k program not provided under Chapter 29, subchapter E-1 of the Texas Education Code; or
  • Be accredited by an organization that is recognized by the Texas Private School Accreditation Commission.
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Providers and Vendors

TEFA program participants will have access to a range of educational products and services through the TEFA Marketplace. Children will have access to tutors, therapists, and teaching services; courses and programs offered by public schools, charter schools, institutions of higher education, or other instructional providers; and a wide range of instructional materials and technology products.   

Sign up for Provider Email Updates

At this time, the Texas Education Freedom Accounts program is accepting applications from providers and vendors currently participating in the PDSES program. In early 2026, applications will open for all other providers and vendors. All provider and vendor applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Approved providers and vendors must have the right to transact business in Texas, agree to comply with program requirements, and meet other eligibility criteria.

Vendors of educational products and services previously approved by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to provide services and products through the PDSES program are approved as long as they remain in good standing with TEA and are registered to do business with the Texas Secretary of State. Beginning December 9, 2025, Odyssey extended an invitation to current PDSES vendors to enroll through a streamlined application.

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