Texas Private School Vouchers: A Practical Guide for Parents

Texas families have a state-funded way to pay for private school and education expenses. Texas Education Freedom Accounts, known as TEFA, were created under Senate Bill 2 in 2025 with $1 billion in initial funding. The Texas Comptroller administers the program, which launched for the 2026–27 school year.

First, funding is capped, so applying does not guarantee an award. In its first year, TEFA received more than 274,000 applications and issued just over 100,000 awards, with a waitlist remaining active into the summer. Second, the amounts and rules below reflect guidance for 2026–27. Program details can change, so confirm current information on the Comptroller’s TEFA site before committing to a school or budget.

How TEFA Works This Yea 

The Comptroller oversees TEFA, while Odyssey serves as the certified educational assistance organization that helps; administer it. Families use the program platform to apply, track their award status, and pay approved schools and vendors 

If you have a school in mind, begin with the program’s participating school finder. Then confirm participation and seat availability with the school’s admissions office. A listing does not guarantee that the school has space or will remain in the program. 

Eligibility and Prioritization 

TEFA is open to eligible Texas students who plan to attend a participating private school or use funds as homeschool or other non-enrolled students. When applications exceed available funding, the program places applicants into four priority groups. In the first year, students from households at or above 500% of the federal poverty level are limited to 20% of total funds, creating tighter competition for higher-income applicants.

What TEFA Funds Can Pay For

Approved expenses listed on the TEFA families page include tuition and fees, textbooks, instructional materials, required uniforms, tutoring, transportation, certain therapies, and technology. Computer hardware and software are limited to 10% of the award, so families cannot use most of an account for a laptop or similar equipment. 

A key restriction is that TEFA-funded purchases cannot be refunded, rebated, or credited to a personal account. Any refund from a school or vendor must return to the program account. Keep invoices, receipts, and enrollment agreements organized in case the program requests documentation. 

Special Education Considerations

The plan used to calculate disability-related TEFA funding is not the same as an Individualized Education Program developed by a public school under federal special education law. Private schools are not subject to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act’s free appropriate public education requirements in the same way as public school districts, and TEFA does not change that distinction. 

In practice, a child’s support depends on what the private school provides and which additional services the family can purchase with approved funds. Before enrolling, ask which therapies are available on site, which accommodations are routinely provided, who delivers services, and how the school measures progress. Request written answers when possible. 

Choosing a School: A Practical Checklist 

• Confirm that the school is in Texas and ask whether it is accredited and by which organization.
• Ask how the school administers required norm-referenced testing for grades 3–12.
• Verify TEFA participation and request a written estimate of remaining out-of-pocket costs.
• Review scheduling, class size, and support for students working above or below grade level.
• Ask about tutoring, academic advising, and postsecondary planning.
• Visit during a school day and speak with current families when possible.

Different school models suit different students, so compare several options before deciding. Fusion Academy, for example, uses one-to-one instruction and flexible scheduling. Families considering that model should ask how its structure would address their child’s academic and scheduling needs. For background reading on private school vouchers and this specific school option, consult a parent-focused resource. Treat any school’s description of its results as a claim to verify rather than independently confirmed evidence.

Budget for the Gap

Award timing matters as much as the total amount. A private school family receives only half of the award before winter, so tuition due in August may exceed the available account balance. Ask the school’s business office whether its payment plan can align with the July 1, October 1, and February 1 installments.

Create a worksheet covering tuition, required fees, uniforms, transportation, technology, tutoring, and therapy. Subtract the TEFA award to estimate your out-of-pocket cost. If tutoring is part of the plan, decide early how you will judge whether it is working, since tracking academic progress is far easier when you agree the metrics before the first session rather than after a term has gone by. Review the school’s full fee schedule before signing an enrollment agreement, and ask whether any deposits or charges are nonrefundable.

Dates, Waitlists, and Next Steps

For 2026–27, the application window ran from February 4 through March 31, 2026. Initial funding was released July 1, the second private school installment is scheduled for October 1, and the final installment is scheduled for February 1, 2027.

If you are waitlisted, keep your contact information current and monitor your account. The waitlist can change as families decline awards or additional funding becomes available. Appeals generally must be filed within 30 days of a decision notice. Continue comparing schools and services while waiting, and maintain a public school or other backup plan until funding and enrollment are confirmed.

FAQ

Do I need to reapply each year?

Follow the program’s instructions for confirming eligibility or applying for each school year. Rules and amounts published for 2026–27 may change in later cycles. 

What if my preferred school is not participating?

Ask the school whether it plans to participate and check the program’s school finder for current listings. Participation does not guarantee that the school has an available seat.

What happens when demand exceeds available funding?

The program sorts applicants into four priority groups. Applicants who cannot be funded immediately may be placed on a waitlist and considered if additional awards become available.