What is the TEFA Program?
In 2025, the Texas Legislature created the Texas Education Freedom Account (TEFA) program to expand educational choices for families. Beginning in the 2026–27 school year, eligible students will receive state-funded accounts that can be used for private school tuition, homeschooling costs, approved tutoring, career and technical education, and other educational services.
Children are eligible to participate if they are U.S. citizens or legal residents and are eligible to attend a Texas school district or open-enrollment charter school or pre-K program, including children of active-duty members of the U.S. armed forces. Any Texas parent may apply for their child: “Parent” is defined as a Texas resident 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.
The program is administered by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. The providers of educational materials and resources approved by TEA for the Parent- Directed Special Education Services (PDSES) are approved providers for the program.
Who Is Eligible?
If applications exceed available funding, eligible applicants will be prioritized in the following order:
- Siblings of children already in the program (after the first round of selections).
- Children with a disability from a household with income at or below 500% of the federal poverty level (FPL).
- Children from households at or below 200% FPL.
- Children from households above 200% and below 500% FPL.
- Children from households at or above 500% FPL, prioritized by children who were enrolled in a Texas public school district or an open-enrollment charter school for at least 90% of the preceding school year, according to the TEA. No more than 20% of total program funds may be spent on this category in a given school year.
TEFA Funding Amounts
State law sets the amount of the ESA based at 85% of statewide average state and local funding per student in Texas public schools. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) will determine the exact funding amounts for the first year of the program:
- Private school students: Approximately $10,800 per year, calculated as 85% of statewide average per-student public funding.
- Students with disabilities (with an IEP): Up to $30,000 annually.
HELPFUL LINKS
https://texasprivateschools.org/wp-content/uploads/ESAs_for_families.pdf
https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/TXCOMPT/signup/48415
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