The application period runs February 4 – March 17, 2026. Families may apply now or sign up for updates.

Applications for the Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) program will be extended through 11:59 p.m. CT, March 31.


The Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) program will be accepting applications from February 4 through March 31, 2026.


For purposes of prioritization, the term “children with a disability” includes both children with an individualized education program (IEP) on file with the Texas Education Agency (TEA) 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.
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:
is unable to speak and comprehend the English language;
is eligible to participate in the national free or reduced-price lunch program;
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;
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;
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;
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;
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
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.
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Explore upcoming admission events or TEFA Application Clinics
Everyone. Currently, only those able to afford to live in the best public-school districts or to pay private school tuition enjoy a full range of educational options. However, through a well-designed parental choice program, families with fewer financial resources will no longer be limited to their local public school and will be able to consider additional educational opportunities.
The Texas Legislature created the education savings account program in 2025 to give families more choices in their children’s education. 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 amount available per student 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.
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.
The application period runs February 4 – March 17, 2026. Families may apply now or sign up for updates.
A student may qualify as a child with a disability if they are at least three years old but not more than 21 years old and have one or more of the following conditions that prevent them from being adequately or safely educated in public school without special services:
For Prioritization Purposes:
TEFA Disability Certification Form approved by the Comptroller (only required if the student requires special needs services and the student does not have an official individualized education program (IEP) on file with TEA). This form will be available in January 2026 on our website;
Full and Individual Initial Evaluation; or
Texas IEP or out of state IEP.
For Additional Funding and Prioritization:
Texas IEP - Current
Your IEP will be verified using the child's Texas unique student identification number (this can be provided by the student's school district). This number exists if the student has ever been enrolled in a public school or charter school within the state of Texas OR if the student has a registered IEP with the TEA. For the additional funding, an IEP must be on file with TEA by the end of the application period. If you need an IEP, please start that process as soon as possible.
Additionally, with your current IEP, you must contact the public school district's special education department, where your student's IEP was issued.
Request for your IEP file to be transferred from the school's district PEMS platform to the new APEX platform. Contacting the main special education department rather than your educational diagnostician is recommended.
Only department directors work in this platform and will have access to transferring records.