Last month, Comptroller Kelly Hancock’s office launched the official website for the state’s new school choice program, known as Texas Education Freedom Accounts.
Under TEFA, eligible Texas children can receive public funds deposited into a personalized account to be used for approved education expenses. These include private school tuition, textbooks, tutoring, specialized therapies, transportation to approved providers, online courses, and career or technical education programs.
Funding amounts vary by setting: about $10,474 for most private school students, up to $30,000 for students with disabilities with an IEP, and $2,000 for homeschoolers. If demand exceeds available funding – and I expect it will – a prioritization system and lottery will determine participation, favoring children with disabilities and lower-income families.
Eligibility requires that the student be a U.S. citizen or lawful resident, a Texas resident, and eligible to attend a Texas public or charter school (including certain pre-K programs). Once accepted, a child may remain in the program until high school graduation, unless they re-enroll in a public school or leave the state.
Participating schools and vendors must be approved to accept TEFA funds and parents won’t need to reapply each year if their child remains in good standing.
Applications open February 4, 2026. In the meantime, a broad coalition of activists, parents, and organizations are helping to spread the word so that parents can start getting ready to apply now.
In the words of Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, “School Choice has come to Texas!” It’s time to make it reality for parents and students across the state.
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