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Texas Education Freedom Accounts

- Admissions

For families who are eligible to apply, we strongly encourage you to apply for the Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA)
The Texas Comptroller’s office has announced that the new Education Savings Account (ESA) program established by the Texas Legislature earlier this year will now be named Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA). This will proudly reflect the program's purpose in giving parents the freedom to choose the best educational path for their children.
The Comptroller also announced the selection of Odyssey as the certified educational assistance organization that will assist the Comptroller in administering the program. Odyssey will build and manage a new online parent portal to guide families through the application process, allow them to search for eligible schools and service providers, and access their accounts to pay for eligible education expenses. Additional information about applications and timelines for families, education service providers, and vendors of educational products will be announced in the coming weeks.

Parents Application Checklist

Online student applications open February 4, 2026 - March 17, 2026,
on the Texas Education Freedom Accounts website:

www.educationfreedom.texas.gov
- Starting in the 2026–27 school year, Texas Education Freedom Accounts, having up to $1 billion in funding, will help families cover educational expenses for students in PreK through 12th grade.
  
  What are Texas Education Freedom Accounts?
  Texas Education Freedom Accounts provide state funds that families can use for expenses such as private school tuition, homeschool curriculum, tutoring, therapies, lunch, transportation, technology, and more.
  
  Who is eligible to apply for Texas Education Freedom Accounts?
  All Texas children can apply. 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. All eligible children are not guaranteed funding.
  
  How much support will Texas Education Freedom Accounts provide?
  Standard awarded accounts could be funded $10, 474 per year
  Students with disabilities could get up to $30,000 annually based on their IEPs done by their school districts
  When can Families Apply for Texas Education Freedom Accounts?
  Applications open February 4, 2026 - March 17, 2026, for funds that will be available for the 2026–27 school year at the Texas Education Freedom Accounts website.
  
  Who is prioritized?
  There are four categories of prioritization for applicants:
  Students with a disability (defined by Texas Educ. Code Sec. 29.003) whose family income is at or below 500% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG)
  Children whose family income is at or below 200% of the FPG
  Children whose family income is between 201% and 500% of FPG
  Everyone else, depending upon available funds. Students who move from public schools will be prioritized over currently enrolled private school students in this category only
  For more eligibility information, please visit the Texas Education Freedom Accounts website.
  
  Special Education Diagnoses for Prioritization Only
  The new Texas Education Freedom Accounts provide priority access to funds for children with special needs. To qualify for these funds, proof of eligibility to participate in a school district's special education program signed by one or more licensed professionals (licensed specialist in school psychology (LSSP)/school psychologist, educational diagnostician, or licensed or certified professional for a specific eligibility category) and an Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) must be received before the application deadline for the TEFA. State law mandates that a public school district provide an IEP for any student seeking funding through the Texas Education Freedom Account, and the school district must finish the IEP in time for the student to apply for TEFA funds. (Education Code Sec. 29.3615)
  Families may request evaluations from either the district that the child resides in or from the district where the private school is located.
  Materials and evaluations done at the private school may be helpful for the district, so feel free to provide them.
  The IEP does not have a time limit.
  Out-of-state IEPs are acceptable.
  To begin this process, visit: https://txcatholic.org/efa-how-to-get-an-iep-for-your-child/
  
  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. Information regarding rights to which a child with a disability is entitled can be found at https://www.ed.gov/laws-and-policy/individuals-disabilities/idea
  
  How is the money made available to families?
  Funds will be transferred into a Texas Education Freedom Account at predetermined intervals throughout the year. Families will then be able to approve payments from this account to cover certain education costs (private school tuition, homeschool curriculum, tutoring, therapies, lunch, transportation, technology, etc.) through approved vendors (educational institutions, education service providers, etc.)
  Families do not have direct access to these funds, and the money cannot be withdrawn for cash.
  If a child enrolls in the program after the beginning of the school year, the amount transferred is prorated based on the date of enrollment.
  Any money remaining in a participating child’s account will be carried over to future years.
  Funds in the account are not considered taxable income unless otherwise provided by federal or another state’s law.
  What is required of parents whose children have been given Texas Education Freedom Accounts?
  Parents must agree to:
  Spend program money only for eligible expenses
  Share the child's assessment results with Odyssey
  Not sell an item purchased with program money and
  Notify the Odyssey within 30 days of the child enrolling in public school, graduating from high school, or otherwise becoming ineligible to enroll in public school
  What can Texas Education Freedom Accounts be used for?
  Approved educational expenses like:
  Tuition and fees
  Curriculum and learning materials
  Private tutors and therapists
  Transportation and meals
  Technology (limited to 10% of funds)
  NOT approved expenses:
  Sports fees
  Activity fees
  Trip fees
  
  Why choose a Catholic education for your child?
  Learn about the advantages a Catholic education offers your child by downloading information on using Texas Education Freedom Account funds for your child’s education.
  Catholic School TEFA Information: English or Spanish
  
  Want to stay informed? 
  Texas Comptroller's webpage: Texas Education Freedom Accounts Program